Sobol et al 2024 – Ecological resource competition as a driver of metallome evolution
In this first preprint, we propose that competition between diazotrophs and nitrate-reducers for molybdenum in Precambrian oceans could have spurred the emergence of molybdenum-independent nitrogenase isozymes. We used empirical measurements of molybdenum requirements and ecological modeling to test our hypothesis. Link here: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.11.627971
Sobol et al 2025 – Ecological constraints and evolutionary trade-offs shape nitrogen fixation across habitats
Here, we explored the diversity of nitrogenase and its supportive genetic network across the tree of life, combining environmental and physiological data with genomic information to understand what drives the distribution of these genes today. We found that the complexity of nitrogenase’s genetic network fits into a larger evolutionary framework that includes genome expansion, metabolic versatility, and habitat diversity. When we reconstructed the historical patterns of gene gain and loss, we found that the early evolution of diazotrophs was dominated by gene gain; whereas later stages were marked by loss, indicating niche-specialization from once generalist ancestors. Link here: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.05.20.655134
