Molecular analysis of DMSOP cycling in bacteria

Kota, Vanja (2021) Molecular analysis of DMSOP cycling in bacteria. Masters thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

The novel organosulfur compound dimethylsulfoxonium propionate (DMSOP) was recently discovered in diverse marine organisms. It is synthesised by marine bacteria and microalgae from the highly abundant molecule dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) via an unknown oxidative mechanism. DMSP and its catabolite dimethylsulfide (DMS) have key roles in the global sulfur cycle, signalling, atmospheric chemistry and potentially climate regulation. DMS can either be emitted to the atmosphere or oxidised to dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and other products. The discovery of DMSOP has extended the known sulfur cycle as it provides a novel pathway for the production of DMSO through cleavage of the DMSOP compound by marine bacterial DMSP lyases. In addition, this new pathway effectively limits the amount of DMSP available for DMS production via DMSP lysis. Currently there is no information on the role and/or regulation of DMSOP which further emphasises the need to bridge this gap in knowledge about the sulfur cycle.

To study the cycling of this novel compound, this project aims to investigate the molecular mechanism of DMSOP synthesis from DMSP. Furthermore, it will study how DMSOP is catabolised to generate DMSO i.e. do any of the known DMSP lyases also act on DMSOP and if so how efficient are they in doing so?

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	09 Aug 2022 08:42
Last Modified:	31 Jul 2023 01:38
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/87142
DOI:

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