A phylogenomic analysis of ancient transition metal biochemistry.

Abstract

Despite seemingly low levels of molybdenum (Mo)/tungsten (W) in the Earth's ancient oceans, these metals play central roles in driving modern biogeochemical cycles. Klos et al. used phylogenomic approaches to reconstruct the Mo/W biochemical repertoire over approximately 3.4 billion years, showing that ancient organisms used these metals early in Earth's history.