yihQ amplicon sequencing of cow rumen bacteria

Sulfoquinovose (SQ) is a key component of sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG), a major thylakoid membrane lipid of photosynthetic organisms. Its degradation is catalyzed by sulfoquinovosidases such as YihQ. Despite its ecological importance, the diversity and role of SQ-degrading microorganisms in natural environments remain poorly understood. In this study, a yihQ-targeted amplicon sequencing approach was developed to explore the distribution and diversity of SQ-degrading bacteria across ecosystems. We identified SQ degraders in the cow rumen and revealed the functional relevance of SQ metabolism in ruminant digestion. Additionally, this work provides a novel tool for investigating sulfur cycling in microbiomes across diverse habitats. Sequencing was performed at the Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna under project IDs JMF-2303-02, JMF-2310-13, and JMF-2507-01.