Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Metabolism and Regulation in Archaea

Thiamine is the water-soluble sulfur containing vitamin B1 that is used to form thiamine diphosphate (ThDP), an enzyme cofactor important in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids and other organic molecules. ThDP is synthesized de novo by certain bacteria, archaea, yeast, fungi, plants, and protozoans. Other organisms, such as humans, rely upon thiamine transport and salvage for metabolism; thus, thiamine is considered an essential vitamin. The focus of this chapter is on the regulation and metabolism of thiamine in archaea. The review will discuss the role ThDP has as an enzyme cofactor and the catalytic and regulatory mechanisms that archaea use to synthesize, salvage and transport thiamine. Future perspectives will be articulated in terms of how archaea have advanced our understanding of thiamine metabolism, regulation and biotechnology applications.