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de Menezes AB, Gashchak S, Wood MD, Beresford NA. Relationships between radiation, wildfire and the soil microbial communities in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175381. [PMID: 39122033 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
There is considerable uncertainty regarding radiation's effects on biodiversity in natural complex ecosystems typically subjected to multiple environmental disturbances and stresses. In this study we characterised the relationships between soil microbial communities and estimated total absorbed dose rates to bacteria, grassy vegetation and trees in the Red Forest region of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Samples were taken from sites of contrasting ecological histories and along burn and no burn areas following a wildfire. Estimated total absorbed dose rates to bacteria reached levels one order of magnitude higher than those known to affect bacteria in laboratory studies. Sites with harsher ecological conditions, notably acidic pH and low soil moisture, tended to have higher radiation contamination levels. No relationship between the effects of fire and radiation were observed. Microbial groups that correlated with high radiation sites were mostly classified to taxa associated with high environmental stress habitats or stress resistance traits. Distance-based linear models and co-occurrence analysis revealed that the effects of radiation on the soil microbiome were minimal. Hence, the association between high radiation sites and specific microbial groups is more likely a result of the harsher ecological conditions in these sites, rather than due to radiation itself. In this study, we provide a starting point for understanding the relationship between soil microbial communities and estimated total absorbed radiation dose rates to different components of an ecosystem highly contaminated with radiation. Our results suggest that soil microbiomes adapted to natural soil conditions are more likely to be resistant to ionising radiation than expected from laboratory studies, which demonstrates the importance of assessing the impact of ionising radiation on soil microbial communities under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Barretto de Menezes
- University of Galway, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Ryan Institute, University Road, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Sergii Gashchak
- Chornobyl Center for Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste & Radioecology, International Radioecology Laboratory, Slavutych, Kyiv Region, Ukraine.
| | - Michael D Wood
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, United Kingdom.
| | - Nicholas A Beresford
- School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Manchester M5 4WT, United Kingdom; Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, CEH Lancaster, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Av., Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
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2
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Ishak S, Rondeau-Leclaire J, Faticov M, Roy S, Laforest-Lapointe I. Boreal moss-microbe interactions are revealed through metagenome assembly of novel bacterial species. Sci Rep 2024; 14:22168. [PMID: 39333734 PMCID: PMC11437008 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-73045-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Moss-microbe interactions contribute to ecosystem processes in boreal forests. Yet, how host-specific characteristics and the environment drive the composition and metabolic potential of moss microbiomes is still poorly understood. In this study, we use shotgun metagenomics to identify the taxonomy and metabolic potential of the bacteria of four moss species of the boreal forests of Northern Québec, Canada. To characterize moss bacterial community composition and diversity, we assembled the genomes of 110 potentially novel bacterial species. Our results highlight that moss genus, species, gametophyte section, and to a lesser extent soil pH and soil temperature, drive moss-associated bacterial community composition and diversity. In the brown gametophyte section, two Stigonema spp. showed partial pathway completeness for photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation, while all brown-associated Hyphomicrobiales had complete assimilatory nitrate reduction pathways and many nearly complete carbon fixation pathways. Several brown-associated species showed partial to complete pathways for coenzyme M and F420 biosynthesis, important for methane metabolism. In addition, green-associated Hyphomicrobiales (Methylobacteria spp.) displayed potential for the anoxygenic photosystem II pathway. Overall, our findings demonstrate how host-specific characteristics and environmental factors shape the composition and metabolic potential of moss bacteria, highlighting their roles in carbon fixation, nitrogen cycling, and methane metabolism in boreal forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ishak
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
- Centre d'Étude de la Forêt, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | | | - Maria Faticov
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Centre SÈVE, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Centre d'Étude de la Forêt, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Roy
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Centre SÈVE, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Isabelle Laforest-Lapointe
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
- Centre SÈVE, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
- Centre d'Étude de la Forêt, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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3
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Lezcano MÁ, Bornemann TLV, Sánchez-García L, Carrizo D, Adam PS, Esser SP, Cabrol NA, Probst AJ, Parro V. Hyperexpansion of genetic diversity and metabolic capacity of extremophilic bacteria and archaea in ancient Andean lake sediments. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:176. [PMID: 39300577 PMCID: PMC11411797 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01878-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Andean Altiplano hosts a repertoire of high-altitude lakes with harsh conditions for life. These lakes are undergoing a process of desiccation caused by the current climate, leaving terraces exposed to extreme atmospheric conditions and serving as analogs to Martian paleolake basins. Microbiomes in Altiplano lake terraces have been poorly studied, enclosing uncultured lineages and a great opportunity to understand environmental adaptation and the limits of life on Earth. Here we examine the microbial diversity and function in ancient sediments (10.3-11 kyr BP (before present)) from a terrace profile of Laguna Lejía, a sulfur- and metal/metalloid-rich saline lake in the Chilean Altiplano. We also evaluate the physical and chemical changes of the lake over time by studying the mineralogy and geochemistry of the terrace profile. RESULTS The mineralogy and geochemistry of the terrace profile revealed large water level fluctuations in the lake, scarcity of organic carbon, and high concentration of SO42--S, Na, Cl and Mg. Lipid biomarker analysis indicated the presence of aquatic/terrestrial plant remnants preserved in the ancient sediments, and genome-resolved metagenomics unveiled a diverse prokaryotic community with still active microorganisms based on in silico growth predictions. We reconstructed 591 bacterial and archaeal metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), of which 98.8% belonged to previously unreported species. The most abundant and widespread metabolisms among MAGs were the reduction and oxidation of S, N, As, and halogenated compounds, as well as aerobic CO oxidation, possibly as a key metabolic trait in the organic carbon-depleted sediments. The broad redox and CO2 fixation pathways among phylogenetically distant bacteria and archaea extended the knowledge of metabolic capacities to previously unknown taxa. For instance, we identified genomic potential for dissimilatory sulfate reduction in Bacteroidota and α- and γ-Proteobacteria, predicted an enzyme for ammonia oxidation in a novel Actinobacteriota, and predicted enzymes of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle in Planctomycetota, Gemmatimonadota, and Nanoarchaeota. CONCLUSIONS The high number of novel bacterial and archaeal MAGs in the Laguna Lejía indicates the wide prokaryotic diversity discovered. In addition, the detection of genes in unexpected taxonomic groups has significant implications for the expansion of microorganisms involved in the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Ángeles Lezcano
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, 28850, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain.
- IMDEA Water Institute, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Till L V Bornemann
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Centre of Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Laura Sánchez-García
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, 28850, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Carrizo
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, 28850, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Panagiotis S Adam
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute of General Microbiology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sarah P Esser
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nathalie A Cabrol
- SETI Institute, 339 Bernardo Avenue, Suite 200, Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA
| | - Alexander J Probst
- Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Centre of Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Víctor Parro
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, 28850, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
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Zhao S, van der Heijden MGA, Banerjee S, Liu JJ, Gu HD, Zhou N, Yin CH, Peng B, Liu X, Wang BZ, Tian CY. The role of halophyte-induced saline fertile islands in soil microbial biogeochemical cycling across arid ecosystems. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1061. [PMID: 39209991 PMCID: PMC11362332 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06741-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Halophyte shrubs, prevalent in arid regions globally, create saline fertile islands under their canopy. This study investigates the soil microbial communities and their energy utilization strategies associated with tamarisk shrubs in arid ecosystems. Shotgun sequencing revealed that high salinity in tamarisk islands reduces functional gene alpha-diversity and relative abundance compared to bare soils. However, organic matter accumulation within islands fosters key halophilic archaea taxa such as Halalkalicoccus, Halogeometricum, and Natronorubrum, linked to processes like organic carbon oxidation, nitrous oxide reduction, and sulfur oxidation, potentially strengthening the coupling of nutrient cycles. In contrast, bare soils harbor salt-tolerant microbes with genes for autotrophic energy acquisition, including carbon fixation, H2 or CH4 consumption, and anammox. Additionally, isotope analysis shows higher microbial carbon use efficiency, N mineralization, and denitrification activity in tamarisk islands. Our findings demonstrate that halophyte shrubs serve as hotspots for halophilic microbes, enhancing microbial nutrient transformation in saline soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
| | | | - Samiran Banerjee
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58102, USA
| | - Jun-Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Hai-Dong Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Na Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
| | - Chuan-Hua Yin
- School of Tea and Food Science, Wuyi University, Wuyishan, 354300, China.
| | - Bin Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Bao-Zhan Wang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Chang-Yan Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
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5
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Zhang E, Wong SY, Czechowski P, Terauds A, Ray AE, Benaud N, Chelliah DS, Wilkins D, Montgomery K, Ferrari BC. Effects of increasing soil moisture on Antarctic desert microbial ecosystems. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14268. [PMID: 38622950 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Overgeneralization and a lack of baseline data for microorganisms in high-latitude environments have restricted the understanding of the microbial response to climate change, which is needed to establish Antarctic conservation frameworks. To bridge this gap, we examined over 17,000 sequence variants of bacteria and microeukarya across the hyperarid Vestfold Hills and Windmill Islands regions of eastern Antarctica. Using an extended gradient forest model, we quantified multispecies response to variations along 79 edaphic gradients to explore the effects of change and wind-driven dispersal on community dynamics under projected warming trends. We also analyzed a second set of soil community data from the Windmill Islands to test our predictions of major environmental tipping points. Soil moisture was the most robust predictor for shaping the regional soil microbiome; the highest rates of compositional turnover occurred at 10-12% soil moisture threshold for photoautotrophs, such as Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, and Ochrophyta. Dust profiles revealed a high dispersal propensity for Chlamydomonas, a microalga, and higher biomass was detected at trafficked research stations. This could signal the potential for algal blooms and increased nonendemic species dispersal as human activities increase in the region. Predicted increases in moisture availability on the Windmill Islands were accompanied by high photoautotroph abundances. Abundances of rare oligotrophic taxa, such as Eremiobacterota and Candidatus Dormibacterota, which play a crucial role in atmospheric chemosynthesis, declined over time. That photosynthetic taxa increased as soil moisture increased under a warming scenario suggests the potential for competition between primary production strategies and thus a more biotically driven ecosystem should the climate become milder. Better understanding of environmental triggers will aid conservation efforts, and it is crucial that long-term monitoring of our study sites be established for the protection of Antarctic desert ecosystems. Furthermore, the successful implementation of an improved gradient forest model presents an exciting opportunity to broaden its use on microbial systems globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eden Zhang
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sin Yin Wong
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul Czechowski
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Aleks Terauds
- Environmental Stewardship Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Angelique E Ray
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole Benaud
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Devan S Chelliah
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel Wilkins
- Environmental Stewardship Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Kate Montgomery
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Belinda C Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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6
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Shen L, Hu J, Zhang L, Wu Z, Chen L, Adhikari NP, Ji M, Chen S, Peng F, Liu Y. Genomics-based identification of a cold adapted clade in Deinococcus. BMC Biol 2024; 22:145. [PMID: 38956546 PMCID: PMC11218099 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01944-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbes in the cold polar and alpine environments play a critical role in feedbacks that amplify the effects of climate change. Defining the cold adapted ecotype is one of the prerequisites for understanding the response of polar and alpine microbes to climate change. RESULTS Here, we analysed 85 high-quality, de-duplicated genomes of Deinococcus, which can survive in a variety of harsh environments. By leveraging genomic and phenotypic traits with reverse ecology, we defined a cold adapted clade from eight Deinococcus strains isolated from Arctic, Antarctic and high alpine environments. Genome-wide optimization in amino acid composition and regulation and signalling enable the cold adapted clade to produce CO2 from organic matter and boost the bioavailability of mineral nitrogen. CONCLUSIONS Based primarily on in silico genomic analysis, we defined a potential cold adapted clade in Deinococcus and provided an updated view of the genomic traits and metabolic potential of Deinococcus. Our study would facilitate the understanding of microbial processes in the cold polar and alpine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China.
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, and Auhui Provincial Engineering Research Centre for Molecular Detection and Diagnostics, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China.
| | - Jiayu Hu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Luyao Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Zirui Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Liangzhong Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Namita Paudel Adhikari
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Center for the Pan-Third Pole Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Mukan Ji
- Center for the Pan-Third Pole Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Shaoxing Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Fang Peng
- China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC), College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yongqin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Center for the Pan-Third Pole Environment, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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7
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Pessi IS, Delmont TO, Zehr JP, Hultman J. Discovery of Eremiobacterota with nifH homologues in tundra soil. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2024; 16:e13277. [PMID: 38881156 PMCID: PMC11180709 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
We describe the genome of an Eremiobacterota population from tundra soil that contains the minimal set of nif genes needed to fix atmospheric N2. This putative diazotroph population, which we name Candidatus Lamibacter sapmiensis, links for the first time Eremiobacterota and N2 fixation. The integrity of the genome and its nif genes are well supported by both environmental and taxonomic signals. Ca. Lamibacter sapmiensis contains three nifH homologues and the complementary set of nifDKENB genes that are needed to assemble a functional nitrogenase. The putative diazotrophic role of Ca. Lamibacter sapmiensis is supported by the presence of genes that regulate N2 fixation and other genes involved in downstream processes such as ammonia assimilation. Similar to other Eremiobacterota, Ca. Lamibacter sapmiensis encodes the potential for atmospheric chemosynthesis via CO2 fixation coupled with H2 and CO oxidation. Interestingly, the presence of a N2O reductase indicates that this population could play a role as a N2O sink in tundra soils. Due to the lack of activity data, it remains uncertain if Ca. Lamibacter sapmiensis is able to assemble a functional nitrogenase and participate in N2 fixation. Confirmation of this ability would be a testament to the great metabolic versatility of Eremiobacterota, which appears to underlie their ecological success in cold and oligotrophic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor S. Pessi
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS)University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Marine and Freshwater SolutionsFinnish Environment Institute (Syke)HelsinkiFinland
| | | | - Jonathan P. Zehr
- Ocean Sciences DepartmentUniversity of California Santa CruzSanta CruzCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jenni Hultman
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS)University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Natural Resources UnitNatural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)HelsinkiFinland
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8
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Ding ZH, Wu YH. Genomic characteristics of nine Nitrospirota metagenome-assembled genomes in deep-sea sediments from East Pacific polymetallic nodules zone. Mar Genomics 2024; 75:101107. [PMID: 38735672 DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2024.101107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Previously studies have reported that MAGs (Metagenome-assembled genomes) belong to "Candidatus Manganitrophaceae" of phylum Nitrospirota with chemolithoautotrophic manganese oxidation potential exist in freshwater and hydrothermal environments. However, Nitrospirota members with chemolithoautotrophic manganese oxidation potential have not been reported in other marine environments. Through metagenomic sequencing, assembly and binning, nine metagenome-assembled genomes belonging to Nitrospirota are recovered from sediment of different depths in the polymetallic nodule area. Through the key functional genes annotation results, we find that these Nitrospirota have limited potential to oxidize organic carbon because of incomplete tricarboxylic acid cycle and most of them (6/9) have carbon dioxide fixation potential through different pathway (rTCA, WL or CBB). One MAG belongs to order Nitrospirales has the potential to use manganese oxidation to obtain energy for carbon fixation. In addition to manganese ions, the oxidation of inorganic nitrogen, sulfur, hydrogen and carbon monoxide may also provide energy for the growth of these Nitrospirota. In addition, different metal ion transport systems can help those Nitrospirota to resist heavy metal in sediment. Our work expands the understanding of the metabolic potential of Nitrospirota in sediment of polymetallic nodule region and may contributes to promoting the study of chemolithoautotrophic manganese oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hao Ding
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Ministry of Natural Resources and Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue-Hong Wu
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Ministry of Natural Resources and Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, China.
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9
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Leung PM, Grinter R, Tudor-Matthew E, Lingford JP, Jimenez L, Lee HC, Milton M, Hanchapola I, Tanuwidjaya E, Kropp A, Peach HA, Carere CR, Stott MB, Schittenhelm RB, Greening C. Trace gas oxidation sustains energy needs of a thermophilic archaeon at suboptimal temperatures. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3219. [PMID: 38622143 PMCID: PMC11018855 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47324-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Diverse aerobic bacteria use atmospheric hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) as energy sources to support growth and survival. Such trace gas oxidation is recognised as a globally significant process that serves as the main sink in the biogeochemical H2 cycle and sustains microbial biodiversity in oligotrophic ecosystems. However, it is unclear whether archaea can also use atmospheric H2. Here we show that a thermoacidophilic archaeon, Acidianus brierleyi (Thermoproteota), constitutively consumes H2 and CO to sub-atmospheric levels. Oxidation occurs across a wide range of temperatures (10 to 70 °C) and enhances ATP production during starvation-induced persistence under temperate conditions. The genome of A. brierleyi encodes a canonical CO dehydrogenase and four distinct [NiFe]-hydrogenases, which are differentially produced in response to electron donor and acceptor availability. Another archaeon, Metallosphaera sedula, can also oxidize atmospheric H2. Our results suggest that trace gas oxidation is a common trait of Sulfolobales archaea and may play a role in their survival and niche expansion, including during dispersal through temperate environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pok Man Leung
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
| | - Rhys Grinter
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Eve Tudor-Matthew
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - James P Lingford
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Luis Jimenez
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Han-Chung Lee
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform and Department of Biochemistry, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Michael Milton
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Iresha Hanchapola
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform and Department of Biochemistry, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Erwin Tanuwidjaya
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform and Department of Biochemistry, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Ashleigh Kropp
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Hanna A Peach
- Geomicrobiology Research Group, Department of Geothermal Sciences, Te Pū Ao | GNS Science, Wairakei, Taupō, 3377, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Carlo R Carere
- Geomicrobiology Research Group, Department of Geothermal Sciences, Te Pū Ao | GNS Science, Wairakei, Taupō, 3377, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Te Tari Pūhanga Tukanga Matū | Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8140, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Matthew B Stott
- Geomicrobiology Research Group, Department of Geothermal Sciences, Te Pū Ao | GNS Science, Wairakei, Taupō, 3377, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Te Kura Pūtaiao Koiora | School of Biological Sciences, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8140, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform and Department of Biochemistry, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Chris Greening
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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10
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Han P, Tang X, Koch H, Dong X, Hou L, Wang D, Zhao Q, Li Z, Liu M, Lücker S, Shi G. Unveiling unique microbial nitrogen cycling and nitrification driver in coastal Antarctica. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3143. [PMID: 38609359 PMCID: PMC11014942 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47392-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Largely removed from anthropogenic delivery of nitrogen (N), Antarctica has notably low levels of nitrogen. Though our understanding of biological sources of ammonia have been elucidated, the microbial drivers of nitrate (NO3-) cycling in coastal Antarctica remains poorly understood. Here, we explore microbial N cycling in coastal Antarctica, unraveling the biological origin of NO3- via oxygen isotopes in soil and lake sediment, and through the reconstruction of 1968 metagenome-assembled genomes from 29 microbial phyla. Our analysis reveals the metabolic potential for microbial N2 fixation, nitrification, and denitrification, but not for anaerobic ammonium oxidation, signifying a unique microbial N-cycling dynamic. We identify the predominance of complete ammonia oxidizing (comammox) Nitrospira, capable of performing the entire nitrification process. Their adaptive strategies to the Antarctic environment likely include synthesis of trehalose for cold stress, high substrate affinity for resource utilization, and alternate metabolic pathways for nutrient-scarce conditions. We confirm the significant role of comammox Nitrospira in the autotrophic, nitrification process via 13C-DNA-based stable isotope probing. This research highlights the crucial contribution of nitrification to the N budget in coastal Antarctica, identifying comammox Nitrospira clade B as a nitrification driver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Han
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
- Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xiufeng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hanna Koch
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Center for Health & Bioresources, Bioresources Unit, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, A-3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Xiyang Dong
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Marine Genetic Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Lijun Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
- Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Danhe Wang
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China.
- Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062, China.
| | - Sebastian Lücker
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Guitao Shi
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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11
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Ortiz M. All-inclusive nitrifiers in Antarctic soils. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3144. [PMID: 38609376 PMCID: PMC11014971 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47441-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Ortiz
- Clemson University Genomics & Bioinformatics Facility, Clemson University, Clemson, USA.
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12
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Coleine C, Albanese D, Ray AE, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Stajich JE, Williams TJ, Larsen S, Tringe S, Pennacchio C, Ferrari BC, Donati C, Selbmann L. Metagenomics untangles potential adaptations of Antarctic endolithic bacteria at the fringe of habitability. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170290. [PMID: 38244622 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Survival and growth strategies of Antarctic endolithic microbes residing in Earth's driest and coldest desert remain virtually unknown. From 109 endolithic microbiomes, 4539 metagenome-assembled genomes were generated, 49.3 % of which were novel candidate bacterial species. We present evidence that trace gas oxidation and atmospheric chemosynthesis may be the prevalent strategies supporting metabolic activity and persistence of these ecosystems at the fringe of life and the limits of habitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Davide Albanese
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Angelique E Ray
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Av. Reina Mercedes 10, E-41012 Sevilla, Spain; Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jason E Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92507, USA; Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Timothy J Williams
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Stefano Larsen
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Susannah Tringe
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Christa Pennacchio
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Belinda C Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Claudio Donati
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy.
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Via al Porto Antico, 16128 Genoa, Italy
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13
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Williams TJ, Allen MA, Ray AE, Benaud N, Chelliah DS, Albanese D, Donati C, Selbmann L, Coleine C, Ferrari BC. Novel endolithic bacteria of phylum Chloroflexota reveal a myriad of potential survival strategies in the Antarctic desert. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0226423. [PMID: 38372512 PMCID: PMC10952385 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02264-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The ice-free McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are dominated by nutrient-poor mineral soil and rocky outcrops. The principal habitat for microorganisms is within rocks (endolithic). In this environment, microorganisms are provided with protection against sub-zero temperatures, rapid thermal fluctuations, extreme dryness, and ultraviolet and solar radiation. Endolithic communities include lichen, algae, fungi, and a diverse array of bacteria. Chloroflexota is among the most abundant bacterial phyla present in these communities. Among the Chloroflexota are four novel classes of bacteria, here named Candidatus Spiritibacteria class. nov. (=UBA5177), Candidatus Martimicrobia class. nov. (=UBA4733), Candidatus Tarhunnaeia class. nov. (=UBA6077), and Candidatus Uliximicrobia class. nov. (=UBA2235). We retrieved 17 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) that represent these four classes. Based on genome predictions, all these bacteria are inferred to be aerobic heterotrophs that encode enzymes for the catabolism of diverse sugars. These and other organic substrates are likely derived from lichen, algae, and fungi, as metabolites (including photosynthate), cell wall components, and extracellular matrix components. The majority of MAGs encode the capacity for trace gas oxidation using high-affinity uptake hydrogenases, which could provide energy and metabolic water required for survival and persistence. Furthermore, some MAGs encode the capacity to couple the energy generated from H2 and CO oxidation to support carbon fixation (atmospheric chemosynthesis). All encode mechanisms for the detoxification and efflux of heavy metals. Certain MAGs encode features that indicate possible interactions with other organisms, such as Tc-type toxin complexes, hemolysins, and macroglobulins.IMPORTANCEThe ice-free McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are the coldest and most hyperarid desert on Earth. It is, therefore, the closest analog to the surface of the planet Mars. Bacteria and other microorganisms survive by inhabiting airspaces within rocks (endolithic). We identify four novel classes of phylum Chloroflexota, and, based on interrogation of 17 metagenome-assembled genomes, we predict specific metabolic and physiological adaptations that facilitate the survival of these bacteria in this harsh environment-including oxidation of trace gases and the utilization of nutrients (including sugars) derived from lichen, algae, and fungi. We propose that such adaptations allow these endolithic bacteria to eke out an existence in this cold and extremely dry habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Williams
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle A Allen
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angelique E Ray
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole Benaud
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Devan S Chelliah
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Davide Albanese
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Claudio Donati
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, Viterbo, Italy
- Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Genova, Italy
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Belinda C Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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14
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Hudson EP. The Calvin Benson cycle in bacteria: New insights from systems biology. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 155:71-83. [PMID: 37002131 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
The Calvin Benson cycle in phototrophic and chemolithoautotrophic bacteria has ecological and biotechnological importance, which has motivated study of its regulation. I review recent advances in our understanding of how the Calvin Benson cycle is regulated in bacteria and the technologies used to elucidate regulation and modify it, and highlight differences between and photoautotrophic and chemolithoautotrophic models. Systems biology studies have shown that in oxygenic phototrophic bacteria, Calvin Benson cycle enzymes are extensively regulated at post-transcriptional and post-translational levels, with multiple enzyme activities connected to cellular redox status through thioredoxin. In chemolithoautotrophic bacteria, regulation is primarily at the transcriptional level, with effector metabolites transducing cell status, though new methods should now allow facile, proteome-wide exploration of biochemical regulation in these models. A biotechnological objective is to enhance CO2 fixation in the cycle and partition that carbon to a product of interest. Flux control of CO2 fixation is distributed over multiple enzymes, and attempts to modulate gene Calvin cycle gene expression show a robust homeostatic regulation of growth rate, though the synthesis rates of products can be significantly increased. Therefore, de-regulation of cycle enzymes through protein engineering may be necessary to increase fluxes. Non-canonical Calvin Benson cycles, if implemented with synthetic biology, could have reduced energy demand and enzyme loading, thus increasing the attractiveness of these bacteria for industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elton P Hudson
- Department of Protein Science, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
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15
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Li T, Wang S, Liu C, Yu Y, Zong M, Duan C. Soil microbial communities' contributions to soil ecosystem multifunctionality in the natural restoration of abandoned metal mines. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 353:120244. [PMID: 38335599 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
On a global scale, the restoration of metal mine ecosystem functions is urgently required, and soil microorganisms play an important role in this process. Conventional studies frequently focused on the relationship between individual functions and their drivers; however, ecosystem functions are multidimensional, and considering any given function in isolation ignores the trade-offs and interconnectedness between functions, which complicates obtaining a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem functions. To elucidate the relationships between soil microorganisms and the ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) of metal mines, this study investigated natural restoration of metal mines, evaluated the EMF, and used high-throughput sequencing to explore the bacterial and fungal communities as well as their influence on EMF. Bacterial community diversity and composition were more sensitive to mine restoration than fungal community. Bacterial diversity exhibited redundancy in improving N-P-K-S multifunctionality; however, rare bacterial taxa including Dependentiae, Spirochaetes, and WPS-2 were important for metal multifunctionality. Although no clear relationship between fungal diversity and EMF was observed, the abundance of Glomeromycota had a significant effect on the three EMF categories (N-P-K-S, carbon, and metal multifunctionality). Previous studies confirmed a pronounced positive association between microbial diversity and multifunctionality; however, the relationship between microbial diversity and multifunctionality differs among functions' categories. In contrast, the presence of critical microbial taxa exerted stronger effects on mine multifunctionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Li
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science & Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Sichen Wang
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science & Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Chang'e Liu
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science & Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Yadong Yu
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science & Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Mingming Zong
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science & Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Changqun Duan
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science & Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China.
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16
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Savaglia V, Lambrechts S, Tytgat B, Vanhellemont Q, Elster J, Willems A, Wilmotte A, Verleyen E, Vyverman W. Geology defines microbiome structure and composition in nunataks and valleys of the Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1316633. [PMID: 38380088 PMCID: PMC10877063 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1316633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the relation between terrestrial microorganisms and edaphic factors in the Antarctic can provide insights into their potential response to environmental changes. Here we examined the composition of bacterial and micro-eukaryotic communities using amplicon sequencing of rRNA genes in 105 soil samples from the Sør Rondane Mountains (East Antarctica), differing in bedrock or substrate type and associated physicochemical conditions. Although the two most widespread taxa (Acidobacteriota and Chlorophyta) were relatively abundant in each sample, multivariate analysis and co-occurrence networks revealed pronounced differences in community structure depending on substrate type. In moraine substrates, Actinomycetota and Cercozoa were the most abundant bacterial and eukaryotic phyla, whereas on gneiss, granite and marble substrates, Cyanobacteriota and Metazoa were the dominant bacterial and eukaryotic taxa. However, at lower taxonomic level, a distinct differentiation was observed within the Cyanobacteriota phylum depending on substrate type, with granite being dominated by the Nostocaceae family and marble by the Chroococcidiopsaceae family. Surprisingly, metazoans were relatively abundant according to the 18S rRNA dataset, even in samples from the most arid sites, such as moraines in Austkampane and Widerøefjellet ("Dry Valley"). Overall, our study shows that different substrate types support distinct microbial communities, and that mineral soil diversity is a major determinant of terrestrial microbial diversity in inland Antarctic nunataks and valleys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Savaglia
- InBioS Research Unit, Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sam Lambrechts
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bjorn Tytgat
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Josef Elster
- Faculty of Science, Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice and Institute of Botany, Třeboň, Czechia
| | - Anne Willems
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annick Wilmotte
- InBioS Research Unit, Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Elie Verleyen
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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17
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Bharali P, Gogoi B, Sorhie V, Acharjee SA, Walling B, Alemtoshi, Vishwakarma V, Shah MP. Autochthonous psychrophilic hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria and its ecological function in contaminated cold environments. Biodegradation 2024; 35:1-46. [PMID: 37436665 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-023-10042-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Petroleum hydrocarbon (PH) pollution has mostly been caused by oil exploration, extraction, and transportation activities in colder regions, particularly in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, where it serves as a primary source of energy. Due to the resilience feature of nature, such polluted environments become the realized ecological niches for a wide community of psychrophilic hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (PHcB). In contrast, to other psychrophilic species, PHcB is extremely cold-adapted and has unique characteristics that allow them to thrive in greater parts of the cold environment burdened with PHs. The stated group of bacteria in its ecological niche aids in the breakdown of litter, turnover of nutrients, cycling of carbon and nutrients, and bioremediation. Although such bacteria are the pioneers of harsh colder environments, their growth and distribution remain under the influence of various biotic and abiotic factors of the environment. The review discusses the prevalence of PHcB community in colder habitats, the metabolic processes involved in the biodegradation of PH, and the influence of biotic and abiotic stress factors. The existing understanding of the PH metabolism by PHcB offers confirmation of excellent enzymatic proficiency with high cold stability. The discovery of more flexible PH degrading strategies used by PHcB in colder environments could have a significant beneficial outcome on existing bioremediation technologies. Still, PHcB is least explored for other industrial and biotechnological applications as compared to non-PHcB psychrophiles. The present review highlights the pros and cons of the existing bioremediation technologies as well as the potential of different bioaugmentation processes for the effective removal of PH from the contaminated cold environment. Such research will not only serve to investigate the effects of pollution on the basic functional relationships that form the cold ecosystem but also to assess the efficacy of various remediation solutions for diverse settings and climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranjal Bharali
- Applied Environmental Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University, Lumami, Nagaland, 798627, India.
| | - Bhagyudoy Gogoi
- Applied Environmental Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University, Lumami, Nagaland, 798627, India
| | - Viphrezolie Sorhie
- Applied Environmental Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University, Lumami, Nagaland, 798627, India
| | - Shiva Aley Acharjee
- Applied Environmental Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University, Lumami, Nagaland, 798627, India
| | - Bendangtula Walling
- Applied Environmental Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University, Lumami, Nagaland, 798627, India
| | - Alemtoshi
- Applied Environmental Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University, Lumami, Nagaland, 798627, India
| | - Vinita Vishwakarma
- Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, NCR Delhi, India
| | - Maulin Pramod Shah
- Industrial Waste Water Research Lab, Division of Applied and Environmental Microbiology Lab at Enviro Technology Ltd., Ankleshwar, Gujarat, India
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18
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Pessi IS, Rutanen A, Hultman J. Metagenome-assembled genomes from mineral tundra soils in Rásttigáisá, northern Norway. Access Microbiol 2024; 6:000655.v3. [PMID: 38361648 PMCID: PMC10866031 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000655.v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities in tundra soils remain largely unknown despite their important roles in the cycling of greenhouse gases. Here, we report 59 non-redundant metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) recovered from mineral tundra soils in Rásttigáisá, northern Norway. The MAGs were obtained by clustering contigs according to tetranucleotide frequency and differential coverage and were manually curated to remove contigs with outlying GC content and/or mean coverage. Most MAGs were assigned to the bacterial phyla Candidatus Dormibacterota (n=12), Verrucomicrobiota (n=10), and Acidobacteriota (n=9). All archaeal MAGs (n=4) belong to the genus Candidatus Nitrosopolaris (phylum Thermoproteota). The 59 Rásttigáisá MAGs expand our knowledge of the diversity and ecological roles of tundra microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor S. Pessi
- University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Jenni Hultman
- University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), Helsinki, Finland
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland
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19
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Varliero G, Lebre PH, Adams B, Chown SL, Convey P, Dennis PG, Fan D, Ferrari B, Frey B, Hogg ID, Hopkins DW, Kong W, Makhalanyane T, Matcher G, Newsham KK, Stevens MI, Weigh KV, Cowan DA. Biogeographic survey of soil bacterial communities across Antarctica. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:9. [PMID: 38212738 PMCID: PMC10785390 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01719-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antarctica and its unique biodiversity are increasingly at risk from the effects of global climate change and other human influences. A significant recent element underpinning strategies for Antarctic conservation has been the development of a system of Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions (ACBRs). The datasets supporting this classification are, however, dominated by eukaryotic taxa, with contributions from the bacterial domain restricted to Actinomycetota and Cyanobacteriota. Nevertheless, the ice-free areas of the Antarctic continent and the sub-Antarctic islands are dominated in terms of diversity by bacteria. Our study aims to generate a comprehensive phylogenetic dataset of Antarctic bacteria with wide geographical coverage on the continent and sub-Antarctic islands, to investigate whether bacterial diversity and distribution is reflected in the current ACBRs. RESULTS Soil bacterial diversity and community composition did not fully conform with the ACBR classification. Although 19% of the variability was explained by this classification, the largest differences in bacterial community composition were between the broader continental and maritime Antarctic regions, where a degree of structural overlapping within continental and maritime bacterial communities was apparent, not fully reflecting the division into separate ACBRs. Strong divergence in soil bacterial community composition was also apparent between the Antarctic/sub-Antarctic islands and the Antarctic mainland. Bacterial communities were partially shaped by bioclimatic conditions, with 28% of dominant genera showing habitat preferences connected to at least one of the bioclimatic variables included in our analyses. These genera were also reported as indicator taxa for the ACBRs. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our data indicate that the current ACBR subdivision of the Antarctic continent does not fully reflect bacterial distribution and diversity in Antarctica. We observed considerable overlap in the structure of soil bacterial communities within the maritime Antarctic region and within the continental Antarctic region. Our results also suggest that bacterial communities might be impacted by regional climatic and other environmental changes. The dataset developed in this study provides a comprehensive baseline that will provide a valuable tool for biodiversity conservation efforts on the continent. Further studies are clearly required, and we emphasize the need for more extensive campaigns to systematically sample and characterize Antarctic and sub-Antarctic soil microbial communities. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilda Varliero
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
- Rhizosphere Processes Group, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Pedro H Lebre
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Byron Adams
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
- Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Steven L Chown
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VA, 3800, Australia
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa
- Biodiversity of Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile
| | - Paul G Dennis
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Dandan Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Belinda Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Beat Frey
- Rhizosphere Processes Group, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Ian D Hogg
- School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Canadian High Arctic Research Station, Polar Knowledge Canada, Cambridge Bay, NU, Canada
| | - David W Hopkins
- SRUC - Scotland's Rural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, Scotland, UK
| | - Weidong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Thulani Makhalanyane
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Gwynneth Matcher
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa
| | - Kevin K Newsham
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Mark I Stevens
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, Earth and Biological Sciences, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Katherine V Weigh
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Don A Cowan
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.
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20
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Mugnai G, Borruso L, Wu YL, Gallinaro M, Cappitelli F, Zerboni A, Villa F. Ecological strategies of bacterial communities in prehistoric stone wall paintings across weathering gradients: A case study from the Borana zone in southern Ethiopia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:168026. [PMID: 37907101 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Rock art paintings represent fragile ecosystems supporting complex microbial communities tuned to the lithic substrate and climatic conditions. The composition and activity of these microbial communities associated with different weathering patterns affecting rock art sites remain unexplored. This study aimed to explore how bacterial communities adapt their ecological strategies based on substrate weathering, while also examining the role of their metabolic pathways in either biodeterioration or bioprotection of the underlying stone. SEM-EDS investigations coupled with 16S rRNA gene sequencing and PICRUSt2 analysis were applied on different weathered surfaces that affect southern Ethiopian rock paintings to investigate the relationships between the current stone microbiome and weathering patterns. The findings revealed that samples experiencing low and high weathering reached a climax stage characterized by stable microenvironments and limited resources. This condition favored K-strategist microorganisms, leading to reduced α-biodiversity and a community with a positive or neutral impact on the substrate. In contrast, moderately-weathered samples displayed diverse microhabitats, resulting in the prevalence of r-strategist bacteria, increased α-biodiversity, and the presence of specialist microorganisms. Moreover, the bacterial communities in moderately-weathered samples demonstrated the highest potential for carbon fixation, stress responses, and complete nitrogen and sulfur cycles. This bacterial community also showed the potential to negatively impact the underlying substrate. This research provided valuable insights into the little-understood ecology of bacterial communities inhabiting deteriorated surfaces, shedding light on the potential role of these microorganisms in the sustainable conservation of rock art.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Mugnai
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno, 74, I-06121 Perugia (PG), IT, Italy.
| | - Luigimaria Borruso
- Free University of Bolzano, Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Piazza Universitá 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy.
| | - Ying-Li Wu
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "A. Desio", Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Marina Gallinaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Antichità, Università di Roma La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Cappitelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Andrea Zerboni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "A. Desio", Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Federica Villa
- Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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21
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Garvin ZK, Abades SR, Trefault N, Alfaro FD, Sipes K, Lloyd KG, Onstott TC. Prevalence of trace gas-oxidizing soil bacteria increases with radial distance from Polloquere hot spring within a high-elevation Andean cold desert. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae062. [PMID: 38625060 PMCID: PMC11094475 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
High-elevation arid regions harbor microbial communities reliant on metabolic niches and flexibility to survive under biologically stressful conditions, including nutrient limitation that necessitates the utilization of atmospheric trace gases as electron donors. Geothermal springs present "oases" of microbial activity, diversity, and abundance by delivering water and substrates, including reduced gases. However, it is unknown whether these springs exhibit a gradient of effects, increasing their impact on trace gas-oxidizers in the surrounding soils. We assessed whether proximity to Polloquere, a high-altitude geothermal spring in an Andean salt flat, alters the diversity and metabolic structure of nearby soil bacterial populations compared to the surrounding cold desert. Recovered DNA and metagenomic analyses indicate that the spring represents an oasis for microbes in this challenging environment, supporting greater biomass with more diverse metabolic functions in proximal soils that declines sharply with radial distance from the spring. Despite the sharp decrease in biomass, potential rates of atmospheric hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) uptake increase away from the spring. Kinetic estimates suggest this activity is due to high-affinity trace gas consumption, likely as a survival strategy for energy/carbon acquisition. These results demonstrate that Polloquere regulates a gradient of diverse microbial communities and metabolisms, culminating in increased activity of trace gas-oxidizers as the influence of the spring yields to that of the regional salt flat environment. This suggests the spring holds local importance within the context of the broader salt flat and potentially represents a model ecosystem for other geothermal systems in high-altitude desert environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary K Garvin
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
| | - Sebastián R Abades
- GEMA Center for Genomics, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Universidad Mayor, 8580745, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nicole Trefault
- GEMA Center for Genomics, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Universidad Mayor, 8580745, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando D Alfaro
- GEMA Center for Genomics, Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Universidad Mayor, 8580745, Santiago, Chile
| | - Katie Sipes
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Karen G Lloyd
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States
| | - Tullis C Onstott
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
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22
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Chen L, Chen S, Xing T, Long Y, Wang Z, Kong X, Xu A, Wu Q, Sun Y. Phytoremediation with application of anaerobic fermentation residues regulate the assembly of ecological clusters within co-occurrence network in ionic rare earth tailings soil: A pot experiment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 340:122790. [PMID: 37890691 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The cultivation of energy plants (Pennisetum hybrid) with anaerobic fermentation residues has become an important phytoremediation approach in ionic rare earth elements (REEs) tailings because of its advantages in low cost and sustainability recently. In this study, a comparative pot experiment was carried out to determine the interaction pattern and key ecological clusters in microbial community respond to phytoremediation. Results showed that the application of biogas residues or slurry could effectively mitigate soil acidification, increase soil nutrients, alter REEs bioavailability and promote plant growth. Without fertilization, plant growth was restricted and soil acidification and nutrient-deficiency would be further aggravated. This difference in phytoremediation effect was associated with the assembly of seven key ecological clusters in co-occurrence network of rhizosphere soil. And such assembly pattern of cluster, determined by the environmental preference (e.g. pH, REEs), nutrient demand and interaction among clusters, could alter the microbial communities in response to the changes in soil context rapidly and exert corresponding ecological function during phytoremediation, such as participating in soil nutrient cycling, affecting plant biomass and altering REEs bioavailability. These findings provided new insights for anaerobic fermentation residues application, and can be beneficial to support for studying microbe-plant combined remediation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liumeng Chen
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China; Institute of Agricultural Applied Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, 330200, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shasha Chen
- Institute of Agricultural Applied Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, 330200, China
| | - Tao Xing
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Yun Long
- Institute of Agricultural Applied Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, 330200, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Xiaoying Kong
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
| | - An Xu
- Institute of Agricultural Applied Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, 330200, China
| | - Qiangjian Wu
- Institute of Agricultural Applied Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, 330200, China
| | - Yongmin Sun
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
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23
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Wood C, Bruinink A, Trembath-Reichert E, Wilhelm MB, Vidal C, Balaban E, McKay CP, Swan R, Swan B, Goordial J. Active microbiota persist in dry permafrost and active layer from Elephant Head, Antarctica. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:ycad002. [PMID: 38304082 PMCID: PMC10833075 DOI: 10.1093/ismeco/ycad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Dry permafrost is a challenging environment for microbial life due to cold, dry, and often oligotrophic conditions. In 2016, Elephant Head, Antarctica, was confirmed as the second site on Earth to contain dry permafrost. It is geographically distinct from the McMurdo Dry Valleys where dry permafrost has been studied previously. Here, we present the first study of the microbial activity, diversity, and functional potential of Elephant Head dry permafrost. Microbial activity was measured using radiorespiration assays with radiolabeled acetate as a carbon source at 5, 0, and -5°C. Low, but detectable, rates of microbial activity were measured in some samples at 0 and -5°C. This is distinct from previous studies of McMurdo Dry Valley dry permafrost which concluded that dry permafrost represents a cold-arid limit to life on the planet. The isolation of cold-adapted organisms from these soils, including one capable of subzero growth, further supports that the Elephant Head dry active layer and dry permafrost harbor viable microbial life, which may be active in situ. Metagenomic, 16S rRNA gene, and internal transcribed spacer and amplicon sequencing identified similar microbial communities to other Antarctic and cold environments. The Elephant Head microbial community appears to be adapted for survival in cold, dry, and oligotrophic conditions based on the presence of cold adaptation and stress response genes in the metagenomes. Together, our results show that dry permafrost environments do not exclude active microbial life at subzero temperatures, suggesting that the cold, dry soils of Mars may also not be as inhospitable as previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Wood
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Alyssa Bruinink
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Trembath-Reichert
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, 781 Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Mary Beth Wilhelm
- Space Science & Astrobiology Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, United States
| | - Chanel Vidal
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, 781 Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Edward Balaban
- Space Science & Astrobiology Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, United States
| | - Christopher P McKay
- Space Science & Astrobiology Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, United States
| | - Robert Swan
- 2041 Foundation, 130 Wescott Ct, Auburn, CA 95603, United States
| | - Barney Swan
- 2041 Foundation, 130 Wescott Ct, Auburn, CA 95603, United States
| | - Jackie Goordial
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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24
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Göker M, Oren A. Valid publication of names of two domains and seven kingdoms of prokaryotes. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2024; 74. [PMID: 38252124 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) now includes the categories domain and kingdom. For the purpose of the valid publication of their names under the ICNP, we consider here the two known domains, 'Bacteria' and 'Archaea', as well as a number of taxa suitable for the rank of kingdom, based on previous phylogenetic and taxonomic studies. It is proposed to subdivide the domain Bacteria into the kingdoms Bacillati, Fusobacteriati, Pseudomonadati and Thermotogati. This arrangement reflects contemporary phylogenetic hypotheses as well as previous taxonomic proposals based on cell wall structure, including 'diderms' vs. 'monoderms', Gracilicutes vs. Firmicutes, 'Negibacteria' vs. 'Unibacteria', 'Hydrobacteria' vs. 'Terrabacteria', and 'Hydrobacterida' vs. 'Terrabacterida'. The domain Archaea is proposed to include the kingdoms Methanobacteriati, Nanobdellati and Thermoproteati, reflecting the previous division into 'Euryarchaeota', 'DPANN superphylum' and 'TACK superphylum'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Göker
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ - German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Inhoffenstrasse 7B, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Aharon Oren
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Institute of Life Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus - Givat Ram, 9190401 Jerusalem, Israel
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25
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Ray AE, Tribbia DZ, Cowan DA, Ferrari BC. Clearing the air: unraveling past and guiding future research in atmospheric chemosynthesis. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2023; 87:e0004823. [PMID: 37914532 PMCID: PMC10732025 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00048-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Atmospheric chemosynthesis is a recently proposed form of chemoautotrophic microbial primary production. The proposed process relies on the oxidation of trace concentrations of hydrogen (≤530 ppbv), carbon monoxide (≤90 ppbv), and methane (≤1,870 ppbv) gases using high-affinity enzymes. Atmospheric hydrogen and carbon monoxide oxidation have been primarily linked to microbial growth in desert surface soils scarce in liquid water and organic nutrients, and low in photosynthetic communities. It is well established that the oxidation of trace hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases widely supports the persistence of microbial communities in a diminished metabolic state, with the former potentially providing a reliable source of metabolic water. Microbial atmospheric methane oxidation also occurs in oligotrophic desert soils and is widespread throughout copiotrophic environments, with established links to microbial growth. Despite these findings, the direct link between trace gas oxidation and carbon fixation remains disputable. Here, we review the supporting evidence, outlining major gaps in our understanding of this phenomenon, and propose approaches to validate atmospheric chemosynthesis as a primary production process. We also explore the implications of this minimalistic survival strategy in terms of nutrient cycling, climate change, aerobiology, and astrobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelique E. Ray
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Australian Centre for Astrobiology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dana Z. Tribbia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Australian Centre for Astrobiology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Don A. Cowan
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Belinda C. Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Australian Centre for Astrobiology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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26
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Hart R, Cardace D. Mineral Indicators of Geologically Recent Past Habitability on Mars. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2349. [PMID: 38137950 PMCID: PMC10744562 DOI: 10.3390/life13122349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We provide new support for habitable microenvironments in the near-subsurface of Mars, hosted in Fe- and Mg-rich rock units, and present a list of minerals that can serve as indicators of specific water-rock reactions in recent geologic paleohabitats for follow-on study. We modeled, using a thermodynamic basis without selective phase suppression, the reactions of published Martian meteorites and Jezero Crater igneous rock compositions and reasonable planetary waters (saline, alkaline waters) using Geochemist's Workbench Ver. 12.0. Solid-phase inputs were meteorite compositions for ALH 77005, Nakhla, and Chassigny, and two rock units from the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover sites, Máaz and Séítah. Six plausible Martian groundwater types [NaClO4, Mg(ClO4)2, Ca(ClO4)2, Mg-Na2(ClO4)2, Ca-Na2(ClO4)2, Mg-Ca(ClO4)2] and a unique Mars soil-water analog solution (dilute saline solution) named "Rosy Red", related to the Phoenix Lander mission, were the aqueous-phase inputs. Geophysical conditions were tuned to near-subsurface Mars (100 °C or 373.15 K, associated with residual heat from a magmatic system, impact event, or a concentration of radionuclides, and 101.3 kPa, similar to <10 m depth). Mineral products were dominated by phyllosilicates such as serpentine-group minerals in most reaction paths, but differed in some important indicator minerals. Modeled products varied in physicochemical properties (pH, Eh, conductivity), major ion activities, and related gas fugacities, with different ecological implications. The microbial habitability of pore spaces in subsurface groundwater percolation systems was interrogated at equilibrium in a thermodynamic framework, based on Gibbs Free Energy Minimization. Models run with the Chassigny meteorite produced the overall highest H2 fugacity. Models reliant on the Rosy Red soil-water analog produced the highest sustained CH4 fugacity (maximum values observed for reactant ALH 77005). In general, Chassigny meteorite protoliths produced the best yield regarding Gibbs Free Energy, from an astrobiological perspective. Occurrences of serpentine and saponite across models are key: these minerals have been observed using CRISM spectral data, and their formation via serpentinization would be consistent with geologically recent-past H2 and CH4 production and sustained energy sources for microbial life. We list index minerals to be used as diagnostic for paleo water-rock models that could have supported geologically recent-past microbial activity, and suggest their application as criteria for future astrobiology study-site selections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Hart
- Department of Physics and Engineering, Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
- Department of Geosciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
| | - Dawn Cardace
- Department of Geosciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
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27
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Liu L, Chen Y, Shen J, Pan Y, Lin W. Metabolic versatility of soil microbial communities below the rocks of the hyperarid Dalangtan Playa. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0107223. [PMID: 37902391 PMCID: PMC10686078 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01072-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The hyperarid Dalangtan Playa in the western Qaidam Basin, northwestern China, is a unique terrestrial analog of Mars. Despite the polyextreme environments of this area, habitats below translucent rocks capable of environmental buffering could serve as refuges for microbial life. In this study, the hybrid assembly of Illumina short reads and Nanopore long reads recovered high-quality and high-continuity genomes, allowing for high-accuracy analysis and a deeper understanding of extremophiles in the sheltered soils of the Dalangtan Playa. Our findings reveal self-supporting and metabolically versatile sheltered soil communities adapted to a hyperarid and hypersaline playa, which provides implications for the search for life signals on Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxun Shen
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongxin Pan
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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28
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Danilova OV, Oshkin IY, Belova SE, Miroshnikov KK, Ivanova AA, Dedysh SN. One Step Closer to Enigmatic USCα Methanotrophs: Isolation of a Methylocapsa-like Bacterium from a Subarctic Soil. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2800. [PMID: 38004811 PMCID: PMC10672854 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The scavenging of atmospheric trace gases has been recognized as one of the lifestyle-defining capabilities of microorganisms in terrestrial polar ecosystems. Several metagenome-assembled genomes of as-yet-uncultivated methanotrophic bacteria, which consume atmospheric CH4 in these ecosystems, have been retrieved in cultivation-independent studies. In this study, we isolated and characterized a representative of these methanotrophs, strain D3K7, from a subarctic soil of northern Russia. Strain D3K7 grows on methane and methanol in a wide range of temperatures, between 5 and 30 °C. Weak growth was also observed on acetate. The presence of acetate in the culture medium stimulated growth at low CH4 concentrations (~100 p.p.m.v.). The finished genome sequence of strain D3K7 is 4.15 Mb in size and contains about 3700 protein-encoding genes. According to the result of phylogenomic analysis, this bacterium forms a common clade with metagenome-assembled genomes obtained from the active layer of a permafrost thaw gradient in Stordalen Mire, Abisco, Sweden, and the mineral cryosol at Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian High Arctic. This clade occupies a phylogenetic position in between characterized Methylocapsa methanotrophs and representatives of the as-yet-uncultivated upland soil cluster alpha (USCα). As shown by the global distribution analysis, D3K7-like methanotrophs are not restricted to polar habitats but inhabit peatlands and soils of various climatic zones.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Svetlana N. Dedysh
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences Leninsky Ave. 33/2, Moscow 119071, Russia; (O.V.D.); (I.Y.O.); (S.E.B.); (A.A.I.)
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29
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Tytgat B, Verleyen E, Sweetlove M, Van den Berge K, Pinseel E, Hodgson DA, Chown SL, Sabbe K, Wilmotte A, Willems A, Vyverman W. Polar lake microbiomes have distinct evolutionary histories. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade7130. [PMID: 37976353 PMCID: PMC10656066 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade7130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Toward the poles, life on land is increasingly dominated by microorganisms, yet the evolutionary origin of polar microbiomes remains poorly understood. Here, we use metabarcoding of Arctic, sub-Antarctic, and Antarctic lacustrine benthic microbial communities to test the hypothesis that high-latitude microbiomes are recruited from a globally dispersing species pool through environmental selection. We demonstrate that taxonomic overlap between the regions is limited within most phyla, even at higher-order taxonomic levels, with unique deep-branching phylogenetic clades being present in each region. We show that local and regional taxon richness and net diversification rate of regionally restricted taxa differ substantially between polar regions in both microeukaryotic and bacterial biota. This suggests that long-term evolutionary divergence resulting from low interhemispheric dispersal and diversification in isolation has been a prominent process shaping present-day polar lake microbiomes. Our findings illuminate the distinctive biogeography of polar lake ecosystems and underscore that conservation efforts should include their unique microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjorn Tytgat
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Elie Verleyen
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Maxime Sweetlove
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Koen Van den Berge
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Eveline Pinseel
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
- Meise Botanic Garden, Meise, Belgium
| | - Dominic A. Hodgson
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Geography, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Steven L. Chown
- Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Koen Sabbe
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Annick Wilmotte
- InBio-Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Anne Willems
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | | | - Wim Vyverman
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
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Baril X, Constant P. Carbon amendments in soil microcosms induce uneven response on H2 oxidation activity and microbial community composition. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad159. [PMID: 38040657 PMCID: PMC10716739 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
High-affinity H2-oxidizing bacteria (HA-HOB) thriving in soil are responsible for the most important sink of atmospheric H2. Their activity increases with soil organic carbon content, but the incidence of different carbohydrate fractions on the process has received little attention. Here we tested the hypothesis that carbon amendments impact HA-HOB activity and diversity differentially depending on their recalcitrance and their concentration. Carbon sources (sucrose, starch, cellulose) and application doses (0, 0.1, 1, 3, 5% Ceq soildw-1) were manipulated in soil microcosms. Only 0.1% Ceq soildw-1 cellulose treatment stimulated the HA-HOB activity. Sucrose amendments induced the most significant changes, with an abatement of 50% activity at 1% Ceq soildw-1. This was accompanied with a loss of bacterial and fungal alpha diversity and a reduction of high-affinity group 1 h/5 [NiFe]-hydrogenase gene (hhyL) abundance. A quantitative classification framework was elaborated to assign carbon preference traits to 16S rRNA gene, ITS and hhyL genotypes. The response was uneven at the taxonomic level, making carbon preference a difficult trait to predict. Overall, the results suggest that HA-HOB activity is more susceptible to be stimulated by low doses of recalcitrant carbon, while labile carbon-rich environment is an unfavorable niche for HA-HOB, inducing catabolic repression of hydrogenase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Baril
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531 boulevard des Prairies, Laval, Québec H7V 1B7, Canada
| | - Philippe Constant
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531 boulevard des Prairies, Laval, Québec H7V 1B7, Canada
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Greening C, Kropp A, Vincent K, Grinter R. Developing high-affinity, oxygen-insensitive [NiFe]-hydrogenases as biocatalysts for energy conversion. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1921-1933. [PMID: 37743798 PMCID: PMC10657181 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The splitting of hydrogen (H2) is an energy-yielding process, which is important for both biological systems and as a means of providing green energy. In biology, this reaction is mediated by enzymes called hydrogenases, which utilise complex nickel and iron cofactors to split H2 and transfer the resulting electrons to an electron-acceptor. These [NiFe]-hydrogenases have received considerable attention as catalysts in fuel cells, which utilise H2 to produce electrical current. [NiFe]-hydrogenases are a promising alternative to the platinum-based catalysts that currently predominate in fuel cells due to the abundance of nickel and iron, and the resistance of some family members to inhibition by gases, including carbon monoxide, which rapidly poison platinum-based catalysts. However, the majority of characterised [NiFe]-hydrogenases are inhibited by oxygen (O2), limiting their activity and stability. We recently reported the isolation and characterisation of the [NiFe]-hydrogenase Huc from Mycobacterium smegmatis, which is insensitive to inhibition by O2 and has an extremely high affinity, making it capable of oxidising H2 in air to below atmospheric concentrations. These properties make Huc a promising candidate for the development of enzyme-based fuel cells (EBFCs), which utilise H2 at low concentrations and in impure gas mixtures. In this review, we aim to provide context for the use of Huc for this purpose by discussing the advantages of [NiFe]-hydrogenases as catalysts and their deployment in fuel cells. We also address the challenges associated with using [NiFe]-hydrogenases for this purpose, and how these might be overcome to develop EBFCs that can be deployed at scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Greening
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Ashleigh Kropp
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Kylie Vincent
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford OX1 3QR, U.K
| | - Rhys Grinter
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
- Centre for Electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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Wiegand S, Sobol M, Schnepp-Pesch LK, Yan G, Iqbal S, Vollmers J, Müller JA, Kaster AK. Taxonomic Re-Classification and Expansion of the Phylum Chloroflexota Based on over 5000 Genomes and Metagenome-Assembled Genomes. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2612. [PMID: 37894270 PMCID: PMC10608941 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The phylum Chloroflexota (formerly Chloroflexi) encompasses metabolically diverse bacteria that often have high prevalence in terrestrial and aquatic habitats, some even with biotechnological application. However, there is substantial disagreement in public databases which lineage should be considered a member of the phylum and at what taxonomic level. Here, we addressed these issues through extensive phylogenomic analyses. The analyses were based on a collection of >5000 Chloroflexota genomes and metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from public databases, novel environmental sites, as well as newly generated MAGs from publicly available sequence reads via an improved binning approach incorporating covariance information. Based on calculated relative evolutionary divergence, we propose that Candidatus Dormibacterota should be listed as a class (i.e., Ca. Dormibacteria) within Chloroflexota together with the classes Anaerolineae, Chloroflexia, Dehalococcoidia, Ktedonobacteria, Ca. Limnocylindria, Thermomicrobia, and two other classes containing only uncultured members. All other Chloroflexota lineages previously listed at the class rank appear to be rather orders or families in the Anaerolineae and Dehalococcoidia, which contain the vast majority of genomes and exhibited the strongest phylogenetic radiation within the phylum. Furthermore, the study suggests that a common ecophysiological capability of members of the phylum is to successfully cope with low energy fluxes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anne-Kristin Kaster
- Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG 5), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany; (S.W.); (M.S.); (L.K.S.-P.); (G.Y.); (S.I.); (J.V.); (J.A.M.)
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Yabe S, Muto K, Abe K, Yokota A, Staudigel H, Tebo BM. Correction: Vulcanimicrobium alpinus gen. nov. sp. nov., the first cultivated representative of the candidate phylum "Eremiobacterota", is a metabolically versatile aerobic anoxygenic phototroph. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:102. [PMID: 37848514 PMCID: PMC10582173 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-023-00301-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Yabe
- Department of Microbial Resources, Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0845, Japan.
- Hazaka Plant Research Center, Kennan Eisei Kogyo Co., Ltd., Sendai, Miyagi, 989-1311, Japan.
| | - Kiyoaki Muto
- Department of Microbial Resources, Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0845, Japan
| | - Keietsu Abe
- Department of Microbial Resources, Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0845, Japan
| | - Akira Yokota
- Department of Microbial Resources, Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-0845, Japan
| | - Hubert Staudigel
- Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Bradley M Tebo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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López-García P, Gutiérrez-Preciado A, Krupovic M, Ciobanu M, Deschamps P, Jardillier L, López-Pérez M, Rodríguez-Valera F, Moreira D. Metagenome-derived virus-microbe ratios across ecosystems. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1552-1563. [PMID: 37169871 PMCID: PMC10504350 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01431-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
It is generally assumed that viruses outnumber cells on Earth by at least tenfold. Virus-to-microbe ratios (VMR) are largely based on counts of fluorescently labelled virus-like particles. However, these exclude intracellular viruses and potentially include false positives (DNA-containing vesicles, gene-transfer agents, unspecifically stained inert particles). Here, we develop a metagenome-based VMR estimate (mVRM) that accounts for DNA viruses across all stages of their replication cycles (virion, intracellular lytic and lysogenic) by using normalised RPKM (reads per kilobase of gene sequence per million of mapped metagenome reads) counts of the major capsid protein (MCP) genes and cellular universal single-copy genes (USCGs) as proxies for virus and cell counts, respectively. After benchmarking this strategy using mock metagenomes with increasing VMR, we inferred mVMR across different biomes. To properly estimate mVMR in aquatic ecosystems, we generated metagenomes from co-occurring cellular and viral fractions (>50 kDa-200 µm size-range) in freshwater, seawater and solar saltern ponds (10 metagenomes, 2 control metaviromes). Viruses outnumbered cells in freshwater by ~13 fold and in plankton from marine and saline waters by ~2-4 fold. However, across an additional set of 121 diverse non-aquatic metagenomes including microbial mats, microbialites, soils, freshwater and marine sediments and metazoan-associated microbiomes, viruses, on average, outnumbered cells by barely two-fold. Although viruses likely are the most diverse biological entities on Earth, their global numbers might be closer to those of cells than previously estimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purificación López-García
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Ana Gutiérrez-Preciado
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Archaeal Virology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Maria Ciobanu
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Philippe Deschamps
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Ludwig Jardillier
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Mario López-Pérez
- Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Microbiología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | | | - David Moreira
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Li S, Lian WH, Han JR, Ali M, Lin ZL, Liu YH, Li L, Zhang DY, Jiang XZ, Li WJ, Dong L. Capturing the microbial dark matter in desert soils using culturomics-based metagenomics and high-resolution analysis. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:67. [PMID: 37736746 PMCID: PMC10516943 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00439-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Deserts occupy one-third of the Earth's terrestrial surface and represent a potentially significant reservoir of microbial biodiversity, yet the majority of desert microorganisms remain uncharacterized and are seen as "microbial dark matter". Here, we introduce a multi-omics strategy, culturomics-based metagenomics (CBM) that integrates large-scale cultivation, full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon, and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The results showed that CBM captured a significant amount of taxonomic and functional diversity missed in direct sequencing by increasing the recovery of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and high/medium-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). Importantly, CBM allowed the post hoc recovery of microbes of interest (e.g., novel or specific taxa), even those with extremely low abundance in the culture. Furthermore, strain-level analyses based on CBM and direct sequencing revealed that the desert soils harbored a considerable number of novel bacterial candidates (1941, 51.4%), of which 1095 (from CBM) were culturable. However, CBM would not exactly reflect the relative abundance of true microbial composition and functional pathways in the in situ environment, and its use coupled with direct metagenomic sequencing could provide greater insight into desert microbiomes. Overall, this study exemplifies the CBM strategy with high-resolution is an ideal way to deeply explore the untapped novel bacterial resources in desert soils, and substantially expands our knowledge on the microbial dark matter hidden in the vast expanse of deserts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
- School of Life Science, Jiaying University, Meizhou, 514015, China
| | - Wen-Hui Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Jia-Rui Han
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Mukhtiar Ali
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Zhi-Liang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Yong-Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China
| | - Dong-Ya Zhang
- Microbiome Research Center, Moon (Guangzhou) Biotech Ltd., Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Xian-Zhi Jiang
- Microbiome Research Center, Moon (Guangzhou) Biotech Ltd., Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Wen-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, China.
| | - Lei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.
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Son Y, Min J, Shin Y, Park W. Morphological and physiological adaptations of psychrophilic Pseudarthrobacter psychrotolerans YJ56 under temperature stress. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14970. [PMID: 37697016 PMCID: PMC10495460 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42179-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Both culture-independent and culture-dependent analyses using Nanopore-based 16S rRNA sequencing showed that short-term exposure of Antarctic soils to low temperature increased biomass with lower bacterial diversity and maintained high numbers of the phylum Proteobacteria, Firmicute, and Actinobacteria including Pseudarthrobacter species. The psychrophilic Pseudarthrobacter psychrotolerans YJ56 had superior growth at 13 °C, but could not grow at 30 °C, compared to other bacteria isolated from the same Antarctic soil. Unlike a single rod-shaped cell at 13 °C, strain YJ56 at 25 °C was morphologically shifted into a filamentous bacterium with several branches. Comparative genomics of strain YJ56 with other genera in the phylum Actinobacteria indicate remarkable copy numbers of rimJ genes that are possibly involved in dual functions, acetylation of ribosomal proteins, and stabilization of ribosomes by direct binding. Our proteomic data suggested that Actinobacteria cells experienced physiological stresses at 25 °C, showing the upregulation of chaperone proteins, GroEL and catalase, KatE. Level of proteins involved in the assembly of 50S ribosomal proteins and L29 in 50S ribosomal proteins increased at 13 °C, which suggested distinct roles of many ribosomal proteins under different conditions. Taken together, our data highlights the cellular filamentation and protein homeostasis of a psychrophilic YJ56 strain in coping with high-temperature stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Son
- Laboratory of Molecular Environmental Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyeon Min
- Laboratory of Molecular Environmental Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonjae Shin
- Laboratory of Molecular Environmental Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Woojun Park
- Laboratory of Molecular Environmental Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
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Li S, Yang S, Wei X, Jiao S, Luo W, Chen W, Wei G. Reduced trace gas oxidizers as a response to organic carbon availability linked to oligotrophs in desert fertile islands. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1257-1266. [PMID: 37253970 PMCID: PMC10356767 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01437-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric trace gases, such as H2 and CO, are important energy sources for microbial growth and maintenance in various ecosystems, especially in arid deserts with little organic substrate. Nonetheless, the impact of soil organic C availability on microbial trace gas oxidation and the underlying mechanisms are unclear at the community level. This study investigated the energy and life-history strategies of soil microbiomes along an organic C gradient inside and out of Hedysarum scoparium islands dispersed in the Mu Us Desert, China. Metagenomic analysis showed that with increasing organic C availability from bare areas into "fertile islands", the abundance of trace gas oxidizers (TGOs) decreased, but that of trace gas nonoxidizers (TGNOs) increased. The variation in their abundance was more related to labile/soluble organic C levels than to stable/insoluble organic C levels. The consumption rates of H2 and CO confirmed that organic C addition, especially soluble organic C addition, inhibited microbial trace gas oxidation. Moreover, microorganisms with distinct energy-acquiring strategies showed different life-history traits. The TGOs had lower 16 S rRNA operon copy numbers, lower predicted maximum growth rates and higher proportions of labile C degradation genes, implying the prevalence of oligotrophs. In contrast, copiotrophs were prevalent in the TGNOs. These results revealed a mechanism for the microbial community to adapt to the highly heterogeneous distribution of C resources by adjusting the abundances of taxa with distinct energy and life-history strategies, which would further affect trace gas consumption and C turnover in desert ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shanshan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaomeng Wei
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shuo Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weimin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Gehong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology in Arid Areas, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
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Mashamaite L, Lebre PH, Varliero G, Maphosa S, Ortiz M, Hogg ID, Cowan DA. Microbial diversity in Antarctic Dry Valley soils across an altitudinal gradient. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1203216. [PMID: 37555066 PMCID: PMC10406297 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1203216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys are geologically diverse, encompassing a wide variety of soil habitats. These environments are largely dominated by microorganisms, which drive the ecosystem services of the region. While altitude is a well-established driver of eukaryotic biodiversity in these Antarctic ice-free areas (and many non-Antarctic environments), little is known of the relationship between altitude and microbial community structure and functionality in continental Antarctica. METHODS We analysed prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic diversity from soil samples across a 684 m altitudinal transect in the lower Taylor Valley, Antarctica and performed a phylogenic characterization of soil microbial communities using short-read sequencing of the 16S rRNA and ITS marker gene amplicons. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Phylogenetic analysis showed clear altitudinal trends in soil microbial composition and structure. Cyanobacteria were more prevalent in higher altitude samples, while the highly stress resistant Chloroflexota and Deinococcota were more prevalent in lower altitude samples. We also detected a shift from Basidiomycota to Chytridiomycota with increasing altitude. Several genera associated with trace gas chemotrophy, including Rubrobacter and Ornithinicoccus, were widely distributed across the entire transect, suggesting that trace-gas chemotrophy may be an important trophic strategy for microbial survival in oligotrophic environments. The ratio of trace-gas chemotrophs to photoautotrophs was significantly higher in lower altitude samples. Co-occurrence network analysis of prokaryotic communities showed some significant differences in connectivity within the communities from different altitudinal zones, with cyanobacterial and trace-gas chemotrophy-associated taxa being identified as potential keystone taxa for soil communities at higher altitudes. By contrast, the prokaryotic network at low altitudes was dominated by heterotrophic keystone taxa, thus suggesting a clear trophic distinction between soil prokaryotic communities at different altitudes. Based on these results, we conclude that altitude is an important driver of microbial ecology in Antarctic ice-free soil habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lefentse Mashamaite
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Pedro H. Lebre
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Gilda Varliero
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Rhizosphere Processes Group, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Silindile Maphosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Max Ortiz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Clemson University Genomics & Bioinformatics Facility, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Ian D. Hogg
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Canadian High Arctic Research Station, Polar Knowledge Canada, Cambridge Bay, NU, Canada
| | - Don A. Cowan
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Cowan DA, Cary SC, DiRuggiero J, Eckardt F, Ferrari B, Hopkins DW, Lebre PH, Maggs-Kölling G, Pointing SB, Ramond JB, Tribbia D, Warren-Rhodes K. 'Follow the Water': Microbial Water Acquisition in Desert Soils. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1670. [PMID: 37512843 PMCID: PMC10386458 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Water availability is the dominant driver of microbial community structure and function in desert soils. However, these habitats typically only receive very infrequent large-scale water inputs (e.g., from precipitation and/or run-off). In light of recent studies, the paradigm that desert soil microorganisms are largely dormant under xeric conditions is questionable. Gene expression profiling of microbial communities in desert soils suggests that many microbial taxa retain some metabolic functionality, even under severely xeric conditions. It, therefore, follows that other, less obvious sources of water may sustain the microbial cellular and community functionality in desert soil niches. Such sources include a range of precipitation and condensation processes, including rainfall, snow, dew, fog, and nocturnal distillation, all of which may vary quantitatively depending on the location and geomorphological characteristics of the desert ecosystem. Other more obscure sources of bioavailable water may include groundwater-derived water vapour, hydrated minerals, and metabolic hydro-genesis. Here, we explore the possible sources of bioavailable water in the context of microbial survival and function in xeric desert soils. With global climate change projected to have profound effects on both hot and cold deserts, we also explore the potential impacts of climate-induced changes in water availability on soil microbiomes in these extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don A Cowan
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - S Craig Cary
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand
| | - Jocelyne DiRuggiero
- Departments of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Departments of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Frank Eckardt
- Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Belinda Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - David W Hopkins
- Scotland's Rural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Pedro H Lebre
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | | | - Stephen B Pointing
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
| | - Jean-Baptiste Ramond
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- Departamento Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - Dana Tribbia
- School of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Kadnikov VV, Mardanov AV, Beletsky AV, Karnachuk OV, Ravin NV. Prokaryotic Life Associated with Coal-Fire Gas Vents Revealed by Metagenomics. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12050723. [PMID: 37237535 DOI: 10.3390/biology12050723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The natural combustion of underground coal seams leads to the formation of gas, which contains molecular hydrogen and carbon monoxide. In places where hot coal gases are released to the surface, specific thermal ecosystems are formed. Here, 16S rRNA gene profiling and shotgun metagenome sequencing were employed to characterize the taxonomic diversity and genetic potential of prokaryotic communities of the near-surface ground layer near hot gas vents in an open quarry heated by a subsurface coal fire. The communities were dominated by only a few groups of spore-forming Firmicutes, namely the aerobic heterotroph Candidatus Carbobacillus altaicus, the aerobic chemolitoautotrophs Kyrpidia tusciae and Hydrogenibacillus schlegelii, and the anaerobic chemolithoautotroph Brockia lithotrophica. Genome analysis predicted that these species can obtain energy from the oxidation of hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide in coal gases. We assembled the first complete closed genome of a member of uncultured class-level division DTU015 in the phylum Firmicutes. This bacterium, 'Candidatus Fermentithermobacillus carboniphilus' Bu02, was predicted to be rod-shaped and capable of flagellar motility and sporulation. Genome analysis showed the absence of aerobic and anaerobic respiration and suggested chemoheterotrophic lifestyle with the ability to ferment peptides, amino acids, N-acetylglucosamine, and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. Bu02 bacterium probably plays the role of a scavenger, performing the fermentation of organics formed by autotrophic Firmicutes supported by coal gases. A comparative genome analysis of the DTU015 division revealed that most of its members have a similar lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly V Kadnikov
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey V Mardanov
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey V Beletsky
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga V Karnachuk
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Nikolai V Ravin
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
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41
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Oren A, Göker M. Candidatus List. Lists of names of prokaryotic Candidatus phyla. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2023; 73. [PMID: 37159402 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.005821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aharon Oren
- The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, 9190401 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Markus Göker
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ - German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Inhoffenstrasse 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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Matthews A, Lima-Zaloumis J, Debes Ii RV, Boyer G, Trembath-Reichert E. Heterotrophic Growth Dominates in the Most Extremotolerant Extremophile Cultures. ASTROBIOLOGY 2023; 23:446-459. [PMID: 36723486 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2022.0100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Due to their ability to withstand "extreme" conditions, Earth's extremophilic organisms can constrain habitability windows for other planetary systems. However, there are many other considerations to microbial growth requirements beyond environmental extremes, such as nutrient availability. Here, we conduct a literature review of the most extremotolerant extremophiles in culture, since working with cultured organisms allows environmental and nutrient variables to be constrained with a high level of specificity. We generated a database that includes the isolation environment, carbon source(s) used, and growth preferences across temperature, pressure, salinity, and pH extremes. We found that the "most extreme" conditions were primarily sustained by heterotrophs, except for hyperthermophiles. These results highlight the importance of considering organic carbon availability when using extremophiles for habitability constraints. We also interrogated polyextreme potential across temperature, pressure, salinity, and pH conditions. Our findings suggest that the investigation of growth tolerance rather than growth optimum may reveal wider habitability parameters. Overall, these results highlight the potential polyextremes, environments, nutrient requirements, and additional analyses that could improve the application of cultured investigations to astrobiology questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianna Matthews
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | | | - R Vincent Debes Ii
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Grayson Boyer
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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Zhou H, Li L, Liu Y. Biological soil crust development affects bacterial communities in the Caragana microphylla community in alpine sandy areas. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1106739. [PMID: 37007529 PMCID: PMC10050341 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1106739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionBiological soil crusts (BSCs) constitute a substantial portion of primary production in dryland ecosystems. They successionally mature to deliver a series of ecosystem services. Bacteria, as an important community in BSCs, play critical roles in maintaining the structure and functions of BSCs. However, the process by which bacterial diversity and community are altered with BSC development is not fully understood.MethodsIn this study, amplicons sequencing was used to investigate bacterial diversity and community compositions across five developmental stages of BSCs (bare sand, microbial crusts, algae crusts, lichen crusts, and moss crusts) and their relationship with environmental variables in the Gonghe basin sandy land in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, northwestern China.ResultsThe results showed that Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were predominant in different developmental stages of BSCs, accounting for more than 77% of the total relative abundance. The phyla of Acidobacteria and Bacteroidetes were abundant in this region. With BSC development, bacterial diversity significantly increased, and the taxonomic community composition significantly altered. The relative abundance of copiotrophic bacteria, such as Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes, and Gemmatimonadetes significantly increased, whereas the relative abundance of oligotrophic bacteria, such as Proteobacteria and Firmicutes significantly decreased. The relative abundance of Cyanobacteria in the algae crusts was significantly higher than that in the other developmental stages (p < 0.05).ConclusionVariations in bacterial composition suggested that the potential ecological functions of the bacterial community were altered with BSC development. The functions varied from enhancing soil surface stability by promoting soil particle cementation in the early stages to promoting material circulation of the ecosystem by fixing carbon and nitrogen and decomposing litter in the later stages of BSC development. Bacterial community is a sensitive index of water and nutrient alterations during BSC development. SWC, pH value, TC, TOC, TN, NO3−, TP and soil texture were the primary environmental variables that promoted changes in the bacterial community composition of BSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Qinghai Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Xining, China
| | - Lun Li
- Qilian Mountain National Park Qinghai Service Guarantee Center, Xining, China
| | - Yunxiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
- Qinghai Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Xining, China
- *Correspondence: Yunxiang Liu,
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Feng X, He S, Sato T, Kondo T, Uema K, Sato K, Kobayashi H. Enrichment of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria using a hybrid biological-inorganic system. J Biosci Bioeng 2023; 135:250-257. [PMID: 36650080 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid biological-inorganic (HBI) systems comprising inorganic water-splitting catalysts and aerobic hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria (HOB) have previously been used for CO2 conversion. In order to identify new biocatalysts for CO2 conversion, the present study used an HBI system to enrich HOB directly from environmental samples. Three sediment samples (from a brackish water pond, a beach, and a tide pool) and two activated sludge samples (from two separate sewage plants) were inoculated into HBI systems using a cobalt phosphorus (Co-P) alloy and cobalt phosphate (CoPi) as inorganic catalysts with a fixed voltage of 2.0 V. The gas composition of the reactor headspaces and electric current were monitored. An aliquot of the reactor medium was transferred to a new reactor when significant consumption of H2 and CO2 was detected. This process was repeated twice (with three reactors in operation for each sample) to enrich HOB. Increased biomass concomitant with increased H2 and CO2 consumption was observed in the third reactor, indicating enrichment of HOB. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing demonstrated enrichment of sequences related to HOB (including bacteria from Mycobacterium, Hydrogenophaga, and Xanthobacter genera) over successive sub-cultures. Finally, four different HOB belonging to the Mycobacterium, Hydrogenophaga, Xanthobacter, and Acidovorax genera were isolated from reactor media, representing potential candidates as HBI system biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Feng
- Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Sijia He
- Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Taiki Sato
- Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takumi Kondo
- Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Koyo Uema
- Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Kozo Sato
- Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan; Frontier Research Center for Energy and Resource (FRCER), Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Hajime Kobayashi
- Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan; Frontier Research Center for Energy and Resource (FRCER), Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
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Grinter R, Kropp A, Venugopal H, Senger M, Badley J, Cabotaje PR, Jia R, Duan Z, Huang P, Stripp ST, Barlow CK, Belousoff M, Shafaat HS, Cook GM, Schittenhelm RB, Vincent KA, Khalid S, Berggren G, Greening C. Structural basis for bacterial energy extraction from atmospheric hydrogen. Nature 2023; 615:541-547. [PMID: 36890228 PMCID: PMC10017518 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05781-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
Diverse aerobic bacteria use atmospheric H2 as an energy source for growth and survival1. This globally significant process regulates the composition of the atmosphere, enhances soil biodiversity and drives primary production in extreme environments2,3. Atmospheric H2 oxidation is attributed to uncharacterized members of the [NiFe] hydrogenase superfamily4,5. However, it remains unresolved how these enzymes overcome the extraordinary catalytic challenge of oxidizing picomolar levels of H2 amid ambient levels of the catalytic poison O2 and how the derived electrons are transferred to the respiratory chain1. Here we determined the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the Mycobacterium smegmatis hydrogenase Huc and investigated its mechanism. Huc is a highly efficient oxygen-insensitive enzyme that couples oxidation of atmospheric H2 to the hydrogenation of the respiratory electron carrier menaquinone. Huc uses narrow hydrophobic gas channels to selectively bind atmospheric H2 at the expense of O2, and 3 [3Fe-4S] clusters modulate the properties of the enzyme so that atmospheric H2 oxidation is energetically feasible. The Huc catalytic subunits form an octameric 833 kDa complex around a membrane-associated stalk, which transports and reduces menaquinone 94 Å from the membrane. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for the biogeochemically and ecologically important process of atmospheric H2 oxidation, uncover a mode of energy coupling dependent on long-range quinone transport, and pave the way for the development of catalysts that oxidize H2 in ambient air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys Grinter
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Ashleigh Kropp
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hari Venugopal
- Ramaciotti Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Moritz Senger
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jack Badley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Princess R Cabotaje
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ruyu Jia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Zehui Duan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford, UK
| | - Ping Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sven T Stripp
- Department of Physics, Experimental Molecular Biophysics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christopher K Barlow
- Department of Biochemistry, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Belousoff
- Centre for Electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hannah S Shafaat
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Gregory M Cook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ralf B Schittenhelm
- Department of Biochemistry, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Monash Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kylie A Vincent
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford, UK
| | - Syma Khalid
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Gustav Berggren
- Department of Chemistry, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Chris Greening
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Centre to Impact AMR, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- ARC Research Hub for Carbon Utilisation and Recycling, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
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Pinheiro Y, Faria da Mota F, Peixoto RS, van Elsas JD, Lins U, Mazza Rodrigues JL, Rosado AS. A thermophilic chemolithoautotrophic bacterial consortium suggests a mutual relationship between bacteria in extreme oligotrophic environments. Commun Biol 2023; 6:230. [PMID: 36859706 PMCID: PMC9977764 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04617-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A thermophilic, chemolithoautotrophic, and aerobic microbial consortium (termed carbonitroflex) growing in a nutrient-poor medium and an atmosphere containing N2, O2, CO2, and CO is investigated as a model to expand our understanding of extreme biological systems. Here we show that the consortium is dominated by Carbonactinospora thermoautotrophica (strain StC), followed by Sphaerobacter thermophilus, Chelatococcus spp., and Geobacillus spp. Metagenomic analysis of the consortium reveals a mutual relationship among bacteria, with C. thermoautotrophica StC exhibiting carboxydotrophy and carbon-dioxide storage capacity. C. thermoautotrophica StC, Chelatococcus spp., and S. thermophilus harbor genes encoding CO dehydrogenase and formate oxidase. No pure cultures were obtained under the original growth conditions, indicating that a tightly regulated interactive metabolism might be required for group survival and growth in this extreme oligotrophic system. The breadwinner hypothesis is proposed to explain the metabolic flux model and highlight the vital role of C. thermoautotrophica StC (the sole keystone species and primary carbon producer) in the survival of all consortium members. Our data may contribute to the investigation of complex interactions in extreme environments, exemplifying the interconnections and dependency within microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Pinheiro
- Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabio Faria da Mota
- Computational and Systems Biology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Raquel S Peixoto
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ulysses Lins
- Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jorge L Mazza Rodrigues
- Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Alexandre Soares Rosado
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
- Bioscience Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
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Perchlorate-Coupled Carbon Monoxide (CO) Oxidation by Moorella glycerini, an Obligately Anaerobic, Thermophilic, Nickel-Dependent Carboxydotroph. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020462. [PMID: 36838427 PMCID: PMC9964509 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Many facultative and obligate anaerobes reduce perchlorate. Likewise, carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation has been documented in many aerobes, facultative anaerobes, and obligate anaerobes. A molybdenum-dependent CO dehydrogenase (Mo-CODH) and a nickel-dependent CO dehydrogenase (Ni-CODH) distinguish the former from the latter. Some Mo-dependent CO oxidizers (Mo-COX) couple CO oxidation to perchlorate reduction, but only at low concentrations of both under conditions that do not support growth in cultures. In contrast, CO-coupled perchlorate reduction has not been documented in Ni-dependent CO oxidizers (Ni-COX). To assess the potential for Ni-COX to reduce perchlorate, a model, obligately anaerobic homoacetogen, Moorella glycerini DSM 11254T, was cultivated with or without perchlorate, usiing CO or glycerol as its sole carbon and energy source. It grew with glycerol with or without perchlorate, and its maximum cell densities were only weakly affected by the perchlorate. However, when CO (at a 30% headspace concentration) was used as a carbon and energy source, perchlorate reduction supported greater cell densities and more rapid growth rates. The stoichiometry of CO uptake, perchlorate reduction, and chloride production were consistent with the cryptic pathway for perchlorate reduction with chlorite as an end product. Chloride production occurred abiologically in the medium due to a reaction between chlorite and the sulfide used as a reducing agent. These results provide the first demonstration of CO-coupled perchlorate reduction supporting growth in Ni-COX, and they provide constraints on the potential for perchlorate-coupled, anaerobic CO oxidation in engineered systems as well as terrestrial systems and hypothetical, sub-surface, serpentinite-hosted systems on Mars.
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Chen L, Chen S, Zhang Y, Long Y, Kong X, Wang S, Li L, Wang F, Sun Y, Xu A. Co-occurrence network of microbial communities affected by application of anaerobic fermentation residues during phytoremediation of ionic rare earth tailings area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159223. [PMID: 36208748 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
The long-term exploitation of ionic rare earth elements (REEs) in southern China has produced a large-scale of abandoned tailings area. While the application of anaerobic fermentation residues to cultivate economically valuable remediation plants (e.g. energy plant) has become a hotspot due to their merits in low-cost and sustainability in recent years, the succession and co-occurrence patterns of these microbial communities remain unclear. In this study, soil samples were collected from the sustainable restoration area, natural restoration area and tailings area. The composition and diversity of bacterial and fungal communities on five soil samples were evaluated using high-throughput sequencing technology. The results shown that the phytoremediation with anaerobic fermentation residues could significantly improve the physicochemical properties (especially for soil nutrients) and microbial diversity of soil within 3 years, while these parameters in natural restoration area were lower. The nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordinations revealed the shifts of microbial communities depending on soil physicochemical properties and plant species, and soil nutrients were the main factors affecting the microbial variation explained by the variation partition analysis (VPA). The soil nutrient accumulation obviously changed the proportion of oligotrophic and copiotrophic groups, among which the copiotrophic groups were significantly increased, such as Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes and Glomeromycota. The microbial co-occurrence network analysis indicated that application of anaerobic fermentation residues could significantly improve the topological properties and the stability of microbial network. The copiotrophic groups (e.g. Proteobacteria, Ascomycota) became the key to assemble stable network structure. Moreover, herbaceous plants could increase the proportion of fungi (e.g. Ascomycota) in microbial network, which improved the topological properties with bacteria synergistically. Therefore, the soil environment of REEs tailings area was effectively optimized by anaerobic fermentation residues and herbaceous plants, which furthered understanding of co-occurrence pattern and mutualistic relationships of microbial communities during sustainable restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liumeng Chen
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Institute of Agricultural Applied Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang 330200, China
| | - Shasha Chen
- Institute of Agricultural Applied Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang 330200, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yun Long
- Institute of Agricultural Applied Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang 330200, China
| | - Xiaoying Kong
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
| | - Shujia Wang
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Lianhua Li
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yongmin Sun
- Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - An Xu
- Institute of Agricultural Applied Microbiology, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang 330200, China
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Ni G, Lappan R, Hernández M, Santini T, Tomkins AG, Greening C. Functional basis of primary succession: Traits of the pioneer microbes. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:171-176. [PMID: 36309943 PMCID: PMC10098604 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gaofeng Ni
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachael Lappan
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcela Hernández
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Talitha Santini
- School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew G Tomkins
- School of Earth, Atmosphere & Environment, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chris Greening
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Dillon KP, Krumins V, Deshpande A, Kerkhof LJ, Mainelis G, Fennell DE. Characterization and DNA Stable-Isotope Probing of Methanotrophic Bioaerosols. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0342122. [PMID: 36409096 PMCID: PMC9769660 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03421-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The growth and activity of bacteria have been extensively studied in nearly every environment on Earth, but there have been limited studies focusing on the air. Suspended bacteria (outside of water droplets) may stay in the atmosphere for time frames that could allow for growth on volatile compounds, including the potent greenhouse gas methane. We investigated the ability of aerosolized methanotrophic bacteria to grow on methane in the airborne state in rotating gas-phase bioreactors. The physical half-life of the aerial bacterium-sized particles was 3 days. To assess the potential for airborne growth, gas-phase bioreactors containing the aerosolized cultures were amended with 1,500 ppmv 13CH4 or 12CH4. Three of seven experiments demonstrated 13C incorporation into DNA, indicating growth in air. Bacteria associated with the genera Methylocystis and Methylocaldum were detected in 13C-DNA fractions, thus indicating that they were synthesizing new DNA, suggesting growth in air. We conclude that methanotrophs outside of water droplets in the air can potentially grow under certain conditions. Based on our data, humidity seems to be a major limitation to bacterial growth in air. Furthermore, low biomass levels can pose problems for detecting 13C-DNA synthesis in our experimental system. IMPORTANCE Currently, the cellular activities of bacteria in the airborne state outside of water droplets have not been heavily studied. Evidence suggests that these airborne bacteria produce ribosomes and metabolize gaseous compounds. Despite having a potentially important impact on atmospheric chemistry, the ability of bacteria in the air to metabolize substrates such as methane is not well understood. Demonstrating that bacteria in the air can metabolize and grow on substrates will expand knowledge about the potential activities and functions of the atmospheric microbiome. This study provides evidence for DNA synthesis and, ultimately, growth of airborne methanotrophs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P. Dillon
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Valdis Krumins
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Aishwarya Deshpande
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Lee J. Kerkhof
- Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Gediminas Mainelis
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Donna E. Fennell
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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