Archaeal enzyme that produces membrane lipids is spectacularly promiscuous

(University of Groningen) Cells of all life forms are surrounded by a membrane that is made of phospholipids. One of these are the cardiolipins. When studying the enzyme that is responsible for producing cardiolipins in archaea (single-cell organisms that constitute a separate domain of life), biochemists at the University of Groningen made a surprising discovery. A single archaeal enzyme can produce a spectacular range of natural and non-natural cardiolipins, as well as other phospholipids.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news