In this study, we used comparative genomic analysis to find two enzymes from a hyperthermophilic archaeon, Aeropyrum pernix, that can replace phosphomevalonate decarboxylase.  Their activities were confirmed by in vitro assay with recombinant enzymes and were also detected in cell-free extract from A. pernix These data distinguish the modified mevalonate pathway of A. pernix and likely, of the majority of archaea from all known mevalonate pathways, such as the eukaryote-type classical pathway, the haloarchaea-type modified pathway, and another modified pathway recently discovered from Thermoplasma acidophilum.
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