Historically, nickel (Ni) has been known for its role as a cofactor in methyl-CoM reductase, hydrogenase, carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, Ni-Fe hydrogenase, and urease. The importance of these enzymes to Precambrian biogeochemical cycles led to the view of Ni utilization as a vestige of early life. New results suggest microbes have responded to increasing global oxidation state by invented new Ni-metalloenzymes and changing the role of ancient ones. A Ni-containing superoxide dismutase (Ni-SOD) seemed an oddity constrained to a couple bacterial lineages. Genomic and metagenomic surveys have expanded this to almost all bacterial lineages. Further, Ni-SOD is used by all marine phytoplankton to control oxidative stress and nitric oxide signaling the peroxisome. Phytoplankton in the heterokont lineages also acquired a metazoan-like urea cycle while simultaneously retargeting urease to the mitochondria. The unique metabolic combination results in the urea cycle fulfilling an anabolic role, a valuable adaptation in the modern oxic ocean.

Emergent uses of the “ancient” metal nickel

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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