Unique Nitrogen Uptake Mechanisms Discovered in Archaea

Study reveals diverse regulatory systems in microorganisms, suggesting more are awaiting discovery.

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology and Radboud University have discovered unique nitrogen uptake mechanisms in archaea, a less-studied group of microorganisms.
Two methane-producing archaea, Methanothermococcus thermolithotrophicus and Methermicoccus shengliensis, were studied. Both use the same enzyme for nitrogen uptake, but their regulatory mechanisms are strikingly different.
In M. shengliensis, enzyme activity is inhibited by glutamine, a regulatory method similar to some bacteria. On the other hand, in M. thermolithotrophicus, the enzyme is activated by 2-oxoglutarate.
X-ray crystallography was used to confirm these findings, providing a detailed view of the enzyme’s structure and offering a deeper understanding of its function and regulation.
The study suggests that more such diverse regulatory systems among archaea are awaiting discovery, emphasizing the evolutionary complexity of these microorganisms.