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Gutiérrez-Preciado A, Dede B, Baker BA, Eme L, Moreira D, López-García P. Extremely acidic proteomes and metabolic flexibility in bacteria and highly diversified archaea thriving in geothermal chaotropic brines. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:1856-1869. [PMID: 39134651 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02505-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Few described archaeal, and fewer bacterial, lineages thrive under salt-saturating conditions, such as solar saltern crystallizers (salinity above 30% w/v). They accumulate molar K+ cytoplasmic concentrations to maintain osmotic balance ('salt-in' strategy) and have proteins adaptively enriched in negatively charged acidic amino acids. Here we analysed metagenomes and metagenome-assembled genomes from geothermally influenced hypersaline ecosystems with increasing chaotropicity in the Danakil Depression. Normalized abundances of universal single-copy genes confirmed that haloarchaea and Nanohaloarchaeota encompass 99% of microbial communities in the near-life-limiting conditions of the Western-Canyon Lakes. Danakil metagenome- and metagenome-assembled-genome-inferred proteomes, compared with those of freshwater, seawater and solar saltern ponds up to saturation (6-14-32% salinity), showed that Western-Canyon Lake archaea encode the most acidic proteomes ever observed (median protein isoelectric points ≤4.4). We identified previously undescribed haloarchaeal families as well as an Aenigmatarchaeota family and a bacterial phylum independently adapted to extreme halophily. Despite phylum-level diversity decreasing with increasing salinity-chaotropicity, and unlike in solar salterns, adapted archaea exceedingly diversified in Danakil ecosystems, challenging the notion of decreasing diversity under extreme conditions. Metabolic flexibility to utilize multiple energy and carbon resources generated by local hydrothermalism along feast-and-famine strategies seemingly shapes microbial diversity in these ecosystems near life limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Gutiérrez-Preciado
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Bledina Dede
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Brittany A Baker
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Laura Eme
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - David Moreira
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Purificación López-García
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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2
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Xiao Y, Mackey HR, Tang W, Lu H, Hao T. Disentangling microbial niche balance and intermediates' trade-offs for anaerobic digestion stability and regulation. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 261:122000. [PMID: 38944003 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122000] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a key technology for converting organic matters to methane-rich biogas. However, nutrient imbalance can destabilize the whole digestion. To realize stable operation of AD and improve its efficiency, this work considers a new strategy to control the intermediate concentrations of poor AD under nutrient stress. For this purpose, long-term digestion under different nutrient conditions was investigated. Results showed that the feedstock with a low C/N ratio (= 6) caused VFA accumulation (2072 ± 632 mg/L), leading to the inhibition of methane production. Employing a substrate with a higher C/N ratio (= 11) and/or adding NH4HCO3 (200 mg NH4+-N/Ladd) could alleviate the VFA inhibition, but excessive dosage of NH4HCO3 would induce ammonia inhibition. Through the established digestion balance between free ammonia nitrogen (FAN) between 0 and 25 mg/L, volatile fatty acid (VFA) 510-2100 mg/L, and alkalinity (ALK) 3300-7800 mg/L, an efficient methane yield of 150-250 mL/g VS was achieved and stable operation of AD under nutrient stress (low C/N ratio) was realized. Metabolic reconstruction between Euryarchaeota sp. MAG162, Methanosarcina mazei MAG53 and Mesotoga infera MAG119 highlighted that microbial niche balance was developed as a result of digestion balance, which is beneficial for stable operation of AD. These findings improved our understanding of the interaction mechanism between intermediates and microbial niches for stability control in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihang Xiao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Hamish R Mackey
- Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Wentao Tang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hui Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianwei Hao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macau, China.
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3
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Xie Z, Li W, Yang K, Wang X, Xiong S, Zhang X. Bacterial and Archaeal Communities in Erhai Lake Sediments: Abundance and Metabolic Insight into a Plateau Lake at the Edge of Eutrophication. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1617. [PMID: 39203459 PMCID: PMC11356345 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12081617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The littoral zones of lakes are potential hotspots for local algal blooms and biogeochemical cycles; however, the microbial communities within the littoral sediments of eutrophic plateau lakes remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the taxonomic composition, co-occurrence networks, and potential functional roles of both abundant and rare taxa within bacterial and archaeal communities, as well as physicochemical parameters, in littoral sediments from Erhai Lake, a mesotrophic lake transitioning towards eutrophy located in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that bacterial communities were dominated by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chloroflexi, while Euryarchaeota was the main archaeal phylum. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that keystone taxa mainly belonged to rare species in the bacterial domain, but in the archaeal domain, over half of keystone taxa were abundant species, demonstrating their fundamental roles in network persistence. The rare bacterial taxa contributed substantially to the overall abundance (81.52%), whereas a smaller subset of abundant archaeal taxa accounted for up to 82.70% of the overall abundance. Functional predictions highlighted a divergence in metabolic potentials, with abundant bacterial sub-communities enriched in pathways for nitrogen cycling, sulfur cycling, and chlorate reduction, while rare bacterial sub-communities were linked to carbon cycling processes such as methanotrophy. Abundant archaeal sub-communities exhibited a high potential for methanogenesis, chemoheterotrophy, and dark hydrogen oxidation. Spearman correlation analysis showed that genera such as Candidatus competibacter, Geobacter, Syntrophobacter, Methanocella, and Methanosarcina may serve as potential indicators of eutrophication. Overall, this study provides insight into the distinct roles that rare and abundant taxa play in the littoral sediments of mesotrophic plateau lakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, and Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.X.); (K.Y.)
| | - Wei Li
- National Observation and Research Station of Erhai Lake Ecosystem in Yunnan, Dali 671000, China; (W.L.); (X.W.); (S.X.)
- Yunnan Dali Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Kaiwen Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, and Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.X.); (K.Y.)
| | - Xinze Wang
- National Observation and Research Station of Erhai Lake Ecosystem in Yunnan, Dali 671000, China; (W.L.); (X.W.); (S.X.)
- Yunnan Dali Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Shunzi Xiong
- National Observation and Research Station of Erhai Lake Ecosystem in Yunnan, Dali 671000, China; (W.L.); (X.W.); (S.X.)
- Yunnan Dali Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, and Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (Z.X.); (K.Y.)
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Kim M, Cha IT, Li M, Park SJ. Unraveling interspecies cross-feeding during anaerobic lignin degradation for bioenergy applications. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142588. [PMID: 38866340 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142588] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Lignin, a major component of plant biomass, remains underutilized for renewable biofuels due to its complex and heterogeneous structure. Although investigations into depolymerizing lignin using fungi are well-established, studies of microbial pathways that enable anaerobic lignin breakdown linked with methanogenesis are limited. Through an enrichment cultivation approach with inoculation of freshwater sediment, we enriched a microbial community capable of producing methane during anaerobic lignin degradation. We reconstructed the near-complete population genomes of key lignin degraders and methanogens using metagenome-assembled genomes finally selected in this study (MAGs; 92 bacterial and 4 archaeal MAGs affiliated into 45 and 2 taxonomic groups, respectively). This study provides genetic evidence of microbial interdependence in conversion of lignin to methane in a syntrophic community. Metagenomic analysis revealed metabolic linkages, with lignin-hydrolyzing and/or fermentative bacteria such as the genera Alkalibaculum and Propionispora transforming lignin breakdown products into compounds such as acetate to feed methanogens (two archaeal MAGs classified into the genus Methanosarcina or UBA6 of the family Methanomassiliicoccaceae). Understanding the synergistic relationships between microbes that convert lignin could inform strategies for producing renewable bioenergy and treating aromatic-contaminated environments through anaerobic biodegradation processes. Overall, this study offers fundamental insights into complex community-level anaerobic lignin metabolism, highlighting hitherto unknown players, interactions, and pathways in this biotechnologically valuable process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minji Kim
- Department of Biology, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju, 63243, South Korea
| | - In-Tae Cha
- Climate Change and Environmental Biology Research Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon, 22689, South Korea
| | - Meng Li
- Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Soo-Je Park
- Department of Biology, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju, 63243, South Korea.
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5
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Beraud-Martínez LK, Betancourt-Lozano M, Gómez-Gil B, Asaff-Torres A, Monroy-Hermosillo OA, Franco-Nava MÁ. Methylotrophic methanogenesis induced by ammonia nitrogen in an anaerobic digestion system. Anaerobe 2024; 88:102877. [PMID: 38866129 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2024.102877] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This lab-scale study aimed to investigate the effect of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) stress on the methanogenic activity and the taxonomic and functional profiles of the microbial community of anaerobic sludge (AS) from a full-scale bioreactor. METHODS The AS was subjected to a stepwise increase in TAN every 14 days at concentrations of 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, and 4 g TAN/L (Acclimated-AS or AAS). This acclimation stage was followed by an ammonia stress stage (4 g/L). A blank-AS (BAS) was maintained without TAN during the acclimation stage. In the second stress stage (ST), the BAS was divided into two new treatments: a control (BAS') and one that received a shock load of TAN of 4 g/L (SBAS'). Methane production was measured, and a metagenomic analysis was conducted to describe the microbial community. RESULTS A decrease in the relative abundance of Methanothrix soehngenii of 16 % was related to a decrease of 23 % in the methanogenic capacity of AAS when comparing with the final stage of BAS. However, recovery was observed at 3.5 g TAN/L, and a shift to methylotrophic metabolism occurred, indicated by a 4-fold increase in abundance of Methanosarcina mazei. The functional analysis of sludge metagenomes indicated that no statistical differences (p > 0.05, RM ANOVA) were found in the relative abundance of methanogenic genes that initiate acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic pathways (acetyl-CoA synthetase, ACSS; acetate kinase, ackA; phosphate acetyltransferase, pta; and formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase subunit A, fwdA) into the BAS and AAS during the acclimation phase. The same was observed between groups of genes associated with methanogenesis from methylated compounds. In contrast, statistical differences (p < 0.05, one-way ANOVA) in the relative abundance of these genes were recorded during ST. The functional profiles of the genes involved in acetoclastic, hydrogenotrophic, and methylotrophic methanogenic pathways were brought to light for acclimatation and stress experimental stages. CONCLUSIONS TAN inhibited methanogenic activity and acetoclastic metabolism. The gradual acclimatization to TAN leads to metabolic and taxonomic changes that allow for the subsequent recovery of methanogenic functionality. The study highlights the importance of adequate management of anaerobic bioprocesses with high nitrogen loads to maintain the methanogenic functionality of the microbial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liov Karel Beraud-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo (CIAD), A. C. Unidad Mazatlán, Avenida Sábalo-Cerritos s/n, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, 82112, Mexico
| | - Miguel Betancourt-Lozano
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo (CIAD), A. C. Unidad Mazatlán, Avenida Sábalo-Cerritos s/n, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, 82112, Mexico
| | - Bruno Gómez-Gil
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo (CIAD), A. C. Unidad Mazatlán, Avenida Sábalo-Cerritos s/n, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, 82112, Mexico
| | - Ali Asaff-Torres
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo (CIAD), A.C. Unidad Hermosillo, Carretera Gustavo Enrique Astiazarán Rosas, No. 46, Col. La Victoria, CP. 83304, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Oscar Armando Monroy-Hermosillo
- Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana. Biotechnology Department, Av. San Rafael Atlixco 186, Col. Vicentina, 09340, Iztapalapa, Cd. México, Mexico
| | - Miguel Ángel Franco-Nava
- Tecnológico Nacional de México, Campus Mazatlán, Calle Corsario 1 No. 203 Col. Urías, A.P. 757, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, 82070, Mexico.
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6
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Krukenberg V, Kohtz AJ, Jay ZJ, Hatzenpichler R. Methyl-reducing methanogenesis by a thermophilic culture of Korarchaeia. Nature 2024; 632:1131-1136. [PMID: 39048017 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07829-8] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Methanogenesis mediated by archaea is the main source of methane, a strong greenhouse gas, and thus is critical for understanding Earth's climate dynamics. Recently, genes encoding diverse methanogenesis pathways have been discovered in metagenome-assembled genomes affiliated with several archaeal phyla1-7. However, all experimental studies on methanogens are at present restricted to cultured representatives of the Euryarchaeota. Here we show methanogenic growth by a member of the lineage Korarchaeia within the phylum Thermoproteota (TACK superphylum)5-7. Following enrichment cultivation of 'Candidatus Methanodesulfokora washburnenis' strain LCB3, we used measurements of metabolic activity and isotope tracer conversion to demonstrate methanol reduction to methane using hydrogen as an electron donor. Analysis of the archaeon's circular genome and transcriptome revealed unique modifications in the energy conservation pathways linked to methanogenesis, including enzyme complexes involved in hydrogen and sulfur metabolism. The cultivation and characterization of this new group of archaea is critical for a deeper evaluation of the diversity, physiology and biochemistry of methanogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Krukenberg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
| | - Anthony J Kohtz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Zackary J Jay
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Roland Hatzenpichler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.
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7
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Wu K, Zhou L, Tahon G, Liu L, Li J, Zhang J, Zheng F, Deng C, Han W, Bai L, Fu L, Dong X, Zhang C, Ettema TJG, Sousa DZ, Cheng L. Isolation of a methyl-reducing methanogen outside the Euryarchaeota. Nature 2024; 632:1124-1130. [PMID: 39048829 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07728-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea are main contributors to methane emissions, and have a crucial role in carbon cycling and global warming. Until recently, methanogens were confined to Euryarchaeota, but metagenomic studies revealed the presence of genes encoding the methyl coenzyme M reductase complex in other archaeal clades1-4, thereby opening up the premise that methanogenesis is taxonomically more widespread. Nevertheless, laboratory cultivation of these non-euryarchaeal methanogens was lacking to corroborate their potential methanogenic ability and physiology. Here we report the isolation of a thermophilic archaeon LWZ-6 from an oil field. This archaeon belongs to the class Methanosuratincolia (originally affiliated with 'Candidatus Verstraetearchaeota') in the phylum Thermoproteota. Methanosuratincola petrocarbonis LWZ-6 is a strict hydrogen-dependent methylotrophic methanogen. Although previous metagenomic studies speculated on the fermentative potential of Methanosuratincolia members, strain LWZ-6 does not ferment sugars, peptides or amino acids. Its energy metabolism is linked only to methanogenesis, with methanol and monomethylamine as electron acceptors and hydrogen as an electron donor. Comparative (meta)genome analysis confirmed that hydrogen-dependent methylotrophic methanogenesis is a widespread trait among Methanosuratincolia. Our findings confirm that the diversity of methanogens expands beyond the classical Euryarchaeota and imply the importance of hydrogen-dependent methylotrophic methanogenesis in global methane emissions and carbon cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejia Wu
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lei Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Guillaume Tahon
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Laiyan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianchao Zhang
- School of Earth System Science, Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fengfeng Zheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Geo-Omics Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chengpeng Deng
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenhao Han
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Liping Bai
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Fu
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiuzhu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanlun Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Geo-Omics Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Thijs J G Ettema
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Diana Z Sousa
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Lei Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China.
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8
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Papale F. From the philosophy of measurement to the philosophy of classification: Generalizing the problem of coordination and historical coherentism. STUDIES IN HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 2024; 106:1-11. [PMID: 38850831 DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2024.05.020] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
The objective of this paper is twofold. First, I present a framework called historical coherentism (Chang, 2004; Tal, 2016; Van fraassen 2008) and argue that it is the best epistemological framework available to tackle the problem of coordination, an epistemic conundrum that arises with every attempt to provide empirical content to scientific theories, models or statements. Second, I argue that the problem of coordination, which has so far been theorized only in the context of measurement practices (Reichenbach, 1927; Chang, 2001; Tal, 2012; Van fraassen 2008), can be generalized beyond the philosophy of measurement. Specifically, it will be shown that the problem is embodied in classificatory practices and that, consequently, historical coherentism is well suited to analyze these practices as well as metrological ones. As a case study, I look at a contemporary debate in phylogenetics, regarding the evolutionary origin of a newly identified archaeal phylum called Methanonatronarchaeia. Exploring this debate through the lens of historical coherentism provides a detailed understanding of the dynamics of the field and a foothold for critical analyses of the standard rationale used by practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Papale
- Université Laval, Faculty of Philosophy, Québec, Canada; Université de Sherbrooke, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease, Québec, Canada.
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9
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Myers T, Dykstra CM. Teaching old dogs new tricks: genetic engineering methanogens. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0224723. [PMID: 38856201 PMCID: PMC11267900 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02247-23] [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: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea, which are integral to global carbon and nitrogen cycling, currently face challenges in genetic manipulation due to unique physiology and limited genetic tools. This review provides a survey of current and past developments in the genetic engineering of methanogens, including selection and counterselection markers, reporter systems, shuttle vectors, mutagenesis methods, markerless genetic exchange, and gene expression control. This review discusses genetic tools and emphasizes challenges tied to tool scarcity for specific methanogenic species. Mutagenesis techniques for methanogens, including physicochemical, transposon-mediated, liposome-mediated mutagenesis, and natural transformation, are outlined, along with achievements and challenges. Markerless genetic exchange strategies, such as homologous recombination and CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing, are also detailed. Finally, the review concludes by examining the control of gene expression in methanogens. The information presented underscores the urgent need for refined genetic tools in archaeal research. Despite historical challenges, recent advancements, notably CRISPR-based systems, hold promise for overcoming obstacles, with implications for global health, agriculture, climate change, and environmental engineering. This comprehensive review aims to bridge existing gaps in the literature, guiding future research in the expanding field of archaeal genetic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Myers
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Christy M. Dykstra
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
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10
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Suzuki S, Ishii S, Chadwick GL, Tanaka Y, Kouzuma A, Watanabe K, Inagaki F, Albertsen M, Nielsen PH, Nealson KH. A non-methanogenic archaeon within the order Methanocellales. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4858. [PMID: 38871712 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48185-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Serpentinization, a geochemical process found on modern and ancient Earth, provides an ultra-reducing environment that can support microbial methanogenesis and acetogenesis. Several groups of archaea, such as the order Methanocellales, are characterized by their ability to produce methane. Here, we generate metagenomic sequences from serpentinized springs in The Cedars, California, and construct a circularized metagenome-assembled genome of a Methanocellales archaeon, termed Met12, that lacks essential methanogenesis genes. The genome includes genes for an acetyl-CoA pathway, but lacks genes encoding methanogenesis enzymes such as methyl-coenzyme M reductase, heterodisulfide reductases and hydrogenases. In situ transcriptomic analyses reveal high expression of a multi-heme c-type cytochrome, and heterologous expression of this protein in a model bacterium demonstrates that it is capable of accepting electrons. Our results suggest that Met12, within the order Methanocellales, is not a methanogen but a CO2-reducing, electron-fueled acetogen without electron bifurcation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shino Suzuki
- Geobiology and Astrobiology Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Saitama, Japan.
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
- School of Physical Sciences, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine and Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Shun'ichi Ishii
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine and Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Grayson L Chadwick
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Yugo Tanaka
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kouzuma
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuya Watanabe
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumio Inagaki
- Advanced Institute for Marine Ecosystem Change (WPI-AIMEC), JAMSTEC, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Earth Science, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Mads Albertsen
- Center for Microbial Communities, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Per H Nielsen
- Center for Microbial Communities, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kenneth H Nealson
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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11
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Ma Y, Qu Y, Yao X, Xia C, Lv M, Lin X, Zhang L, Zhang M, Hu B. Unveiling the unique role of iron in the metabolism of methanogens: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 250:118495. [PMID: 38367837 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118495] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Methanogens are the main participants in the carbon cycle, catalyzing five methanogenic pathways. Methanogens utilize different iron-containing functional enzymes in different methanogenic processes. Iron is a vital element in methanogens, which can serve as a carrier or reactant in electron transfer. Therefore, iron plays an important role in the growth and metabolism of methanogens. In this paper, we cast light on the types and functions of iron-containing functional enzymes involved in different methanogenic pathways, and the roles iron play in energy/substance metabolism of methanogenesis. Furthermore, this review provides certain guiding significance for lowering CH4 emissions, boosting the carbon sink capacity of ecosystems and promoting green and low-carbon development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiangwu Yao
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Environmental Safety, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chujun Xia
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengjie Lv
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Beijing Enterprises Water Group Limited, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Environmental Safety, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Baolan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Environmental Safety, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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12
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Liu S, Zheng N, Wang J, Zhao S. Relationships among bacterial cell size, diversity, and taxonomy in rumen. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1376994. [PMID: 38628864 PMCID: PMC11018980 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1376994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The rumen microbial community plays a crucial role in the digestion and metabolic processes of ruminants. Although sequencing-based studies have helped reveal the diversity and functions of bacteria in the rumen, their physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as their dynamic regulation along the digestion process in the rumen, remain poorly understood. Addressing these gaps requires pure culture studies to demystify the intricate mechanisms at play. Bacteria exhibit morphological differentiation associated with different species. Based on the difference in size or shape of microorganisms, size fractionation by filters with various pore sizes can be used to separate them. Methods In this study, we used polyvinylidene difluoride filters with pore sizes of 300, 120, 80, 40, 20, 8, 6, 2.1, and 0.6 μm. Bacterial suspensions were successively passed through these filters for the analysis of microbial population distribution using 16S rRNA gene sequences. Results We found that bacteria from the different pore sizes were clustered into four branches (> 120 μm, 40-120 μm, 6-20 μm, 20-40 μm, and < 0.6 μm), indicating that size fractionation had effects on enriching specific groups but could not effectively separate dominant groups by cell size alone. The species of unclassified Flavobacterium, unclassified Chryseobacterium, unclassified Delftia, Methylotenera mobilis, unclassified Caulobacteraceae, unclassified Oligella, unclassified Sphingomonas, unclassified Stenotrophomonas, unclassified Shuttleworthia, unclassified Sutterella, unclassified Alphaproteobacteria, and unclassified SR1 can be efficiently enriched or separated by size fractionation. Discussion In this study, we investigated the diversity of sorted bacteria populations in the rumen for preliminary investigations of the relationship between the size and classification of rumen bacteria that have the potential to improve our ability to isolate and culture bacteria from the rumen in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Liu
- College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shengguo Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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13
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Baker BA, Gutiérrez-Preciado A, Rodríguez Del Río Á, McCarthy CGP, López-García P, Huerta-Cepas J, Susko E, Roger AJ, Eme L, Moreira D. Expanded phylogeny of extremely halophilic archaea shows multiple independent adaptations to hypersaline environments. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:964-975. [PMID: 38519541 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01647-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Extremely halophilic archaea (Haloarchaea, Nanohaloarchaeota, Methanonatronarchaeia and Halarchaeoplasmatales) thrive in saturating salt concentrations where they must maintain osmotic equilibrium with their environment. The evolutionary history of adaptations enabling salt tolerance remains poorly understood, in particular because the phylogeny of several lineages is conflicting. Here we present a resolved phylogeny of extremely halophilic archaea obtained using improved taxon sampling and state-of-the-art phylogenetic approaches designed to cope with the strong compositional biases of their proteomes. We describe two uncultured lineages, Afararchaeaceae and Asbonarchaeaceae, which break the long branches at the base of Haloarchaea and Nanohaloarchaeota, respectively. We obtained 13 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of these archaea from metagenomes of hypersaline aquatic systems of the Danakil Depression (Ethiopia). Our phylogenomic analyses including these taxa show that at least four independent adaptations to extreme halophily occurred during archaeal evolution. Gene-tree/species-tree reconciliation suggests that gene duplication and horizontal gene transfer played an important role in this process, for example, by spreading key genes (such as those encoding potassium transporters) across extremely halophilic lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany A Baker
- 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
| | - Álvaro Rodríguez Del Río
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Charley G P McCarthy
- Institute for Comparative Genomics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Purificación López-García
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jaime Huerta-Cepas
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Edward Susko
- Institute for Comparative Genomics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Andrew J Roger
- Institute for Comparative Genomics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Laura Eme
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - David Moreira
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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14
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Xie F, Zhao S, Zhan X, Zhou Y, Li Y, Zhu W, Pope PB, Attwood GT, Jin W, Mao S. Unraveling the phylogenomic diversity of Methanomassiliicoccales and implications for mitigating ruminant methane emissions. Genome Biol 2024; 25:32. [PMID: 38263062 PMCID: PMC10804542 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03167-0] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methanomassiliicoccales are a recently identified order of methanogens that are diverse across global environments particularly the gastrointestinal tracts of animals; however, their metabolic capacities are defined via a limited number of cultured strains. RESULTS Here, we profile and analyze 243 Methanomassiliicoccales genomes assembled from cultured representatives and uncultured metagenomes recovered from various biomes, including the gastrointestinal tracts of different animal species. Our analyses reveal the presence of numerous undefined genera and genetic variability in metabolic capabilities within Methanomassiliicoccales lineages, which is essential for adaptation to their ecological niches. In particular, gastrointestinal tract Methanomassiliicoccales demonstrate the presence of co-diversified members with their hosts over evolutionary timescales and likely originated in the natural environment. We highlight the presence of diverse clades of vitamin transporter BtuC proteins that distinguish Methanomassiliicoccales from other archaeal orders and likely provide a competitive advantage in efficiently handling B12. Furthermore, genome-centric metatranscriptomic analysis of ruminants with varying methane yields reveal elevated expression of select Methanomassiliicoccales genera in low methane animals and suggest that B12 exchanges could enable them to occupy ecological niches that possibly alter the direction of H2 utilization. CONCLUSIONS We provide a comprehensive and updated account of divergent Methanomassiliicoccales lineages, drawing from numerous uncultured genomes obtained from various habitats. We also highlight their unique metabolic capabilities involving B12, which could serve as promising targets for mitigating ruminant methane emissions by altering H2 flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xie
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shengwei Zhao
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoxiu Zhan
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yin Li
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiyun Zhu
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Phillip B Pope
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Graeme T Attwood
- AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Wei Jin
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Shengyong Mao
- Ruminant Nutrition and Feed Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
- Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Microbiology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Nutrition and Animal Health, National Center for International Research on Animal Gut Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
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15
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Ellenbogen JB, Borton MA, McGivern BB, Cronin DR, Hoyt DW, Freire-Zapata V, McCalley CK, Varner RK, Crill PM, Wehr RA, Chanton JP, Woodcroft BJ, Tfaily MM, Tyson GW, Rich VI, Wrighton KC. Methylotrophy in the Mire: direct and indirect routes for methane production in thawing permafrost. mSystems 2024; 9:e0069823. [PMID: 38063415 PMCID: PMC10805028 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00698-23] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
While wetlands are major sources of biogenic methane (CH4), our understanding of resident microbial metabolism is incomplete, which compromises the prediction of CH4 emissions under ongoing climate change. Here, we employed genome-resolved multi-omics to expand our understanding of methanogenesis in the thawing permafrost peatland of Stordalen Mire in Arctic Sweden. In quadrupling the genomic representation of the site's methanogens and examining their encoded metabolism, we revealed that nearly 20% of the metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) encoded the potential for methylotrophic methanogenesis. Further, 27% of the transcriptionally active methanogens expressed methylotrophic genes; for Methanosarcinales and Methanobacteriales MAGs, these data indicated the use of methylated oxygen compounds (e.g., methanol), while for Methanomassiliicoccales, they primarily implicated methyl sulfides and methylamines. In addition to methanogenic methylotrophy, >1,700 bacterial MAGs across 19 phyla encoded anaerobic methylotrophic potential, with expression across 12 phyla. Metabolomic analyses revealed the presence of diverse methylated compounds in the Mire, including some known methylotrophic substrates. Active methylotrophy was observed across all stages of a permafrost thaw gradient in Stordalen, with the most frozen non-methanogenic palsa found to host bacterial methylotrophy and the partially thawed bog and fully thawed fen seen to house both methanogenic and bacterial methylotrophic activities. Methanogenesis across increasing permafrost thaw is thus revised from the sole dominance of hydrogenotrophic production and the appearance of acetoclastic at full thaw to consider the co-occurrence of methylotrophy throughout. Collectively, these findings indicate that methanogenic and bacterial methylotrophy may be an important and previously underappreciated component of carbon cycling and emissions in these rapidly changing wetland habitats.IMPORTANCEWetlands are the biggest natural source of atmospheric methane (CH4) emissions, yet we have an incomplete understanding of the suite of microbial metabolism that results in CH4 formation. Specifically, methanogenesis from methylated compounds is excluded from all ecosystem models used to predict wetland contributions to the global CH4 budget. Though recent studies have shown methylotrophic methanogenesis to be active across wetlands, the broad climatic importance of the metabolism remains critically understudied. Further, some methylotrophic bacteria are known to produce methanogenic by-products like acetate, increasing the complexity of the microbial methylotrophic metabolic network. Prior studies of Stordalen Mire have suggested that methylotrophic methanogenesis is irrelevant in situ and have not emphasized the bacterial capacity for metabolism, both of which we countered in this study. The importance of our findings lies in the significant advancement toward unraveling the broader impact of methylotrophs in wetland methanogenesis and, consequently, their contribution to the terrestrial global carbon cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared B. Ellenbogen
- Department of Soil and Crop Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Mikayla A. Borton
- Department of Soil and Crop Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Bridget B. McGivern
- Department of Soil and Crop Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Dylan R. Cronin
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - David W. Hoyt
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Earth and Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | | | - Carmody K. McCalley
- Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Ruth K. Varner
- Department of Earth Sciences and Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Patrick M. Crill
- Department of Geological Sciences, Bolin Center for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Richard A. Wehr
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jeffrey P. Chanton
- Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Ben J. Woodcroft
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Malak M. Tfaily
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Gene W. Tyson
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Virginia I. Rich
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kelly C. Wrighton
- Department of Soil and Crop Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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16
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Crump BC, Bowen JL. The Microbial Ecology of Estuarine Ecosystems. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2024; 16:335-360. [PMID: 37418833 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-022123-101845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Human civilization relies on estuaries, and many estuarine ecosystem services are provided by microbial communities. These services include high rates of primary production that nourish harvests of commercially valuable species through fisheries and aquaculture, the transformation of terrestrial and anthropogenic materials to help ensure the water quality necessary to support recreation and tourism, and mutualisms that maintain blue carbon accumulation and storage. Research on the ecology that underlies microbial ecosystem services in estuaries has expanded greatly across a range of estuarine environments, including water, sediment, biofilms, biological reefs, and stands of seagrasses, marshes, and mangroves. Moreover, the application of new molecular tools has improved our understanding of the diversity and genomic functions of estuarine microbes. This review synthesizes recent research on microbial habitats in estuaries and the contributions of microbes to estuarine food webs, elemental cycling, and interactions with plants and animals, and highlights novel insights provided by recent advances in genomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron C Crump
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA;
| | - Jennifer L Bowen
- Marine Science Center, Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University, Nahant, Massachusetts, USA;
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17
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Zhao D, Zhang S, Chen J, Zhao J, An P, Xiang H. Members of the class Candidatus Ordosarchaeia imply an alternative evolutionary scenario from methanogens to haloarchaea. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrad033. [PMID: 38366248 PMCID: PMC10873845 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrad033] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The origin of methanogenesis can be traced to the common ancestor of non-DPANN archaea, whereas haloarchaea (or Halobacteria) are believed to have evolved from a methanogenic ancestor through multiple evolutionary events. However, due to the accelerated evolution and compositional bias of proteins adapting to hypersaline habitats, Halobacteria exhibit substantial evolutionary divergence from methanogens, and the identification of the closest methanogen (either Methanonatronarchaeia or other taxa) to Halobacteria remains a subject of debate. Here, we obtained five metagenome-assembled genomes with high completeness from soda-saline lakes on the Ordos Plateau in Inner Mongolia, China, and we proposed the name Candidatus Ordosarchaeia for this novel class. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that Ca. Ordosarchaeia is firmly positioned near the median position between the Methanonatronarchaeia and Halobacteria-Hikarchaeia lineages. Functional predictions supported the transitional status of Ca. Ordosarchaeia with the metabolic potential of nonmethanogenic and aerobic chemoheterotrophy, as did remnants of the gene sequences of methylamine/dimethylamine/trimethylamine metabolism and coenzyme M biosynthesis. Based on the similarity of the methyl-coenzyme M reductase genes mcrBGADC in Methanonatronarchaeia with the phylogenetically distant methanogens, an alternative evolutionary scenario is proposed, in which Methanonatronarchaeia, Ca. Ordosarchaeia, Ca. Hikarchaeia, and Halobacteria share a common ancestor that initially lost mcr genes. However, certain members of Methanonatronarchaeia subsequently acquired mcr genes through horizontal gene transfer from distantly related methanogens. This hypothesis is supported by amalgamated likelihood estimation, phylogenetic analysis, and gene arrangement patterns. Altogether, Ca. Ordosarchaeia genomes clarify the sisterhood of Methanonatronarchaeia with Halobacteria and provide new insights into the evolution from methanogens to haloarchaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahe Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shengjie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Junyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Juanjuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Peng An
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Sichuan 610068, China
| | - Hua Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
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18
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Lynes MM, Jay ZJ, Kohtz AJ, Hatzenpichler R. Methylotrophic methanogenesis in the Archaeoglobi revealed by cultivation of Ca. Methanoglobus hypatiae from a Yellowstone hot spring. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae026. [PMID: 38452205 PMCID: PMC10945360 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae026] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decade, environmental metagenomics and polymerase chain reaction-based marker gene surveys have revealed that several lineages beyond just a few well-established groups within the Euryarchaeota superphylum harbor the genetic potential for methanogenesis. One of these groups are the Archaeoglobi, a class of thermophilic Euryarchaeota that have long been considered to live non-methanogenic lifestyles. Here, we enriched Candidatus Methanoglobus hypatiae, a methanogen affiliated with the family Archaeoglobaceae, from a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. The enrichment is sediment-free, grows at 64-70°C and a pH of 7.8, and produces methane from mono-, di-, and tri-methylamine. Ca. M. hypatiae is represented by a 1.62 Mb metagenome-assembled genome with an estimated completeness of 100% and accounts for up to 67% of cells in the culture according to fluorescence in situ hybridization. Via genome-resolved metatranscriptomics and stable isotope tracing, we demonstrate that Ca. M. hypatiae expresses methylotrophic methanogenesis and energy-conserving pathways for reducing monomethylamine to methane. The detection of Archaeoglobi populations related to Ca. M. hypatiae in 36 geochemically diverse geothermal sites within Yellowstone National Park, as revealed through the examination of previously published gene amplicon datasets, implies a previously underestimated contribution to anaerobic carbon cycling in extreme ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie M Lynes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, United States
| | - Zackary J Jay
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, United States
| | - Anthony J Kohtz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, United States
| | - Roland Hatzenpichler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, United States
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19
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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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Font-Verdera F, Liébana R, Rossello-Mora R, Viver T. Impact of dilution on stochastically driven methanogenic microbial communities of hypersaline anoxic sediments. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad146. [PMID: 37989854 PMCID: PMC10673710 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad146] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Sediments underlying the solar salterns of S'Avall are anoxic hypersaline ecosystems dominated by anaerobic prokaryotes, and with the especial relevance of putative methanogenic archaea. Slurries from salt-saturated sediments, diluted in a gradient of salinity and incubated for > 4 years revealed that salt concentration was the major selection force that deterministically structured microbial communities. The dominant archaea in the original communities showed a decrease in alpha diversity with dilution accompanied by the increase of bacterial alpha diversity, being highest at 5% salts. Correspondingly, methanogens decreased and in turn sulfate reducers increased with decreasing salt concentrations. Methanogens especially dominated at 25%. Different concentrations of litter of Posidonia oceanica seagrass added as a carbon substrate, did not promote any clear relevant effect. However, the addition of ampicillin as selection pressure exerted important effects on the assemblage probably due to the removal of competitors or enhancers. The amended antibiotic enhanced methanogenesis in the concentrations ≤ 15% of salts, whereas it was depleted at salinities ≥ 20% revealing key roles of ampicillin-sensitive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Font-Verdera
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, UIB-CSIC), Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190 Esporles, Illes Balears, SPAIN
| | - Raquel Liébana
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, UIB-CSIC), Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190 Esporles, Illes Balears, SPAIN
- AZTI, Basque Research Technology Alliance (BRTA), Txatxarramendi ugartea z/g, Sukarrieta, 48395 Sukarrieta, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Ramon Rossello-Mora
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, UIB-CSIC), Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190 Esporles, Illes Balears, SPAIN
| | - Tomeu Viver
- Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, UIB-CSIC), Miquel Marquès, 21, 07190 Esporles, Illes Balears, SPAIN
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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21
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Medvedeva S, Borrel G, Krupovic M, Gribaldo S. A compendium of viruses from methanogenic archaea reveals their diversity and adaptations to the gut environment. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:2170-2182. [PMID: 37749252 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01485-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea are major producers of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and biofuel, and are widespread in diverse environments, including the animal gut. The ecophysiology of methanogens is likely impacted by viruses, which remain, however, largely uncharacterized. Here we carried out a global investigation of viruses associated with all current diversity of methanogens by assembling an extensive CRISPR database consisting of 156,000 spacers. We report 282 high-quality (pro)viral and 205 virus-like/plasmid sequences assigned to hosts belonging to ten main orders of methanogenic archaea. Viruses of methanogens can be classified into 87 families, underscoring a still largely undiscovered genetic diversity. Viruses infecting gut-associated archaea provide evidence of convergence in adaptation with viruses infecting gut-associated bacteria. These viruses contain a large repertoire of lysin proteins that cleave archaeal pseudomurein and are enriched in glycan-binding domains (Ig-like/Flg_new) and diversity-generating retroelements. The characterization of this vast repertoire of viruses paves the way towards a better understanding of their role in regulating methanogen communities globally, as well as the development of much-needed genetic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Medvedeva
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Borrel
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France.
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Archaeal Virology, Paris, France.
| | - Simonetta Gribaldo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unit Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France.
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22
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Volmer JG, McRae H, Morrison M. The evolving role of methanogenic archaea in mammalian microbiomes. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1268451. [PMID: 37727289 PMCID: PMC10506414 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1268451] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea (methanogens) represent a diverse group of microorganisms that inhabit various environmental and host-associated microbiomes. These organisms play an essential role in global carbon cycling given their ability to produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as a by-product of their energy production. Recent advances in culture-independent and -dependent studies have highlighted an increased prevalence of methanogens in the host-associated microbiome of diverse animal species. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that methanogens, and/or the methane they produce, may play a substantial role in human health and disease. This review addresses the expanding host-range and the emerging view of host-specific adaptations in methanogen biology and ecology, and the implications for host health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G. Volmer
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Harley McRae
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland Frazer Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark Morrison
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland Frazer Institute, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
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23
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Rekadwad BN, Li WJ, Gonzalez JM, Punchappady Devasya R, Ananthapadmanabha Bhagwath A, Urana R, Parwez K. Extremophiles: the species that evolve and survive under hostile conditions. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:316. [PMID: 37637002 PMCID: PMC10457277 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03733-6] [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: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Extremophiles possess unique cellular and molecular mechanisms to assist, tolerate, and sustain their lives in extreme habitats. These habitats are dominated by one or more extreme physical or chemical parameters that shape existing microbial communities and their cellular and genomic features. The diversity of extremophiles reflects a long list of adaptations over millions of years. Growing research on extremophiles has considerably uncovered and increased our understanding of life and its limits on our planet. Many extremophiles have been greatly explored for their application in various industrial processes. In this review, we focused on the characteristics that microorganisms have acquired to optimally thrive in extreme environments. We have discussed cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in stability at respective extreme conditions like thermophiles, psychrophiles, acidophiles, barophiles, etc., which highlight evolutionary aspects and the significance of extremophiles for the benefit of mankind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhagwan Narayan Rekadwad
- Present Address: Division of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), University Road, Deralakatte, Mangalore, 575018 Karnataka India
- National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR), DBT-National Centre for Cell Science (DBT-NCCS), Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, 411007 Maharashtra India
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology (IBB), Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, 411007 Maharashtra India
| | - 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 People’s Republic of China
| | - Juan M. Gonzalez
- Microbial Diversity and Microbiology of Extreme Environments Research Group, Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Científicas, IRNAS-CSIC, Avda. Reina Mercedes, 10, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Rekha Punchappady Devasya
- Present Address: Division of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), University Road, Deralakatte, Mangalore, 575018 Karnataka India
| | - Arun Ananthapadmanabha Bhagwath
- Present Address: Division of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), University Road, Deralakatte, Mangalore, 575018 Karnataka India
- Yenepoya Institute of Arts, Science, Commerce and Management, A Constituent Unit of Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Yenepoya Complex, Balmatta, Mangalore, 575002 Karnataka India
| | - Ruchi Urana
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Bio Sciences and Technology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana 125001 India
| | - Khalid Parwez
- Department of Microbiology, Shree Narayan Medical Institute and Hospital, Saharsa, Bihar 852201 India
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24
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Xie L, Yu S, Lu X, Liu S, Tang Y, Lu H. Different Responses of Bacteria and Archaea to Environmental Variables in Brines of the Mahai Potash Mine, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2002. [PMID: 37630563 PMCID: PMC10458105 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082002] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Salt mines feature both autochthonous and allochthonous microbial communities introduced by industrialization. It is important to generate the information on the diversity of the microbial communities present in the salt mines and how they are shaped by the environment representing ecological diversification. Brine from Mahai potash mine (Qianghai, China), an extreme hypersaline environment, is used to produce potash salts for hundreds of millions of people. However, halophiles preserved in this niche during deposition are still unknown. In this study, using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and estimation of physicochemical variables, we examined brine samples collected from locations with the gradient of industrial activity intensity and discrete hydrochemical compositions in the Mahai potash mine. Our findings revealed a highly diverse bacterial community, mainly composed of Pseudomonadota in the hypersaline brines from the industrial area, whereas in the natural brine collected from the upstream Mahai salt lake, most of the 16S rRNA gene reads were assigned to Bacteroidota. Halobacteria and halophilic methanogens dominated archaeal populations. Furthermore, we discovered that in the Mahai potash mining area, bacterial communities tended to respond to anthropogenic influences. In contrast, archaeal diversity and compositions were primarily shaped by the chemical properties of the hypersaline brines. Conspicuously, distinct methanogenic communities were discovered in sets of samples with varying ionic compositions, indicating their strong sensitivity to the brine hydrochemical alterations. Our findings provide the first taxonomic snapshot of microbial communities from the Mahai potash mine and reveal the different responses of bacteria and archaea to environmental variations in this high-altitude aquatic ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linglu Xie
- School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (L.X.)
| | - Shan Yu
- Beijing International Center for Gas Hydrate, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Gas Hydrate Exploration and Development, Guangzhou 511466, China
| | - Xindi Lu
- School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (L.X.)
| | - Siwei Liu
- School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (L.X.)
| | - Yukai Tang
- School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (L.X.)
| | - Hailong Lu
- School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (L.X.)
- Beijing International Center for Gas Hydrate, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Gas Hydrate Exploration and Development, Guangzhou 511466, China
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25
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Abdel Azim A, Vizzarro A, Bellini R, Bassani I, Baudino L, Pirri CF, Verga F, Lamberti A, Menin B. Perspective on the use of methanogens in lithium recovery from brines. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1233221. [PMID: 37601371 PMCID: PMC10434214 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1233221] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea stand out as multipurpose biocatalysts for different applications in wide-ranging industrial sectors due to their crucial role in the methane (CH4) cycle and ubiquity in natural environments. The increasing demand for raw materials required by the manufacturing sector (i.e., metals-, concrete-, chemicals-, plastic- and lubricants-based industries) represents a milestone for the global economy and one of the main sources of CO2 emissions. Recovery of critical raw materials (CRMs) from byproducts generated along their supply chain, rather than massive mining operations for mineral extraction and metal smelting, represents a sustainable choice. Demand for lithium (Li), included among CRMs in 2023, grew by 17.1% in the last decades, mostly due to its application in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. In addition to mineral deposits, the natural resources of Li comprise water, ranging from low Li concentrations (seawater and freshwater) to higher ones (salt lakes and artificial brines). Brines from water desalination can be high in Li content which can be recovered. However, biological brine treatment is not a popular methodology. The methanogenic community has already demonstrated its ability to recover several CRMs which are not essential to their metabolism. Here, we attempt to interconnect the well-established biomethanation process with Li recovery from brines, by analyzing the methanogenic species which may be suitable to grow in brine-like environments and the corresponding mechanism of recovery. Moreover, key factors which should be considered to establish the techno-economic feasibility of this process are here discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Abdel Azim
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
| | - Arianna Vizzarro
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
- Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Ruggero Bellini
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bassani
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
| | - Luisa Baudino
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Candido Fabrizio Pirri
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Verga
- Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Lamberti
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Menin
- Centre for Sustainable Future Technologies, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Turin, Italy
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Milan, Italy
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26
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Zhang S, Wang F, Wang Y, Chen X, Xu P, Miao H. Shifts of soil archaeal nitrification and methanogenesis with elevation in water level fluctuation zone of the three Gorges Reservoir, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 339:117871. [PMID: 37030237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117871] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The water level fluctuation zone is a unique ecological zone exposed to long-term drying and flooding and plays a critical role in the transport and transformation of carbon and nitrogen materials in reservoir-river systems. Archaea are a vital component of soil ecosystems in the water level fluctuation zones, however, the distribution and function of archaeal communities in responde to long-term wet and dry alternations are still unclear. The community structure of archaea in the drawdown areas at various elevations of the Three Gorges Reservoir was investigated by selecting surface soils (0-5 cm) of different inundation durations at three sites from upstream to downstream according to the flooding pattern. The results revealed that prolonged flooding and drying increased the community diversity of soil archaea, with ammonia-oxidizing archaea being the dominant species in non-flooded regions, while methanogenic archaea were abundant in soils that had been flooded for an extended period of time. Long-term alternation of wetting and drying increases methanogenesis but decreases nitrification. It was determined that soil pH, NO3--N, TOC and TN are significant environmental factors affecting the composition of soil archaeal communities (P = 0.02). Long-term flooding and drying changed the community composition of soil archaea by altering environmental factors, which in turn influenced nitrification and methanogenesis in soils at different elevations. These findings contribute to our understanding of soil carbon and nitrogen transport transformation processes in the water level fluctuation zone as well as the effects of long-term wet and dry alternation on soil carbon and nitrogen cycles. The results of this study can provide a basis for ecological management, environmental management, and long-term operation of reservoirs in water level fluctuation zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengman Zhang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| | - Fushun Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| | - Yuchun Wang
- China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing, 100038, China.
| | - Xueping Chen
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| | - Peifan Xu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
| | - Haocheng Miao
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
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27
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Hallsworth JE, Udaondo Z, Pedrós‐Alió C, Höfer J, Benison KC, Lloyd KG, Cordero RJB, de Campos CBL, Yakimov MM, Amils R. Scientific novelty beyond the experiment. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1131-1173. [PMID: 36786388 PMCID: PMC10221578 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14222] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Practical experiments drive important scientific discoveries in biology, but theory-based research studies also contribute novel-sometimes paradigm-changing-findings. Here, we appraise the roles of theory-based approaches focusing on the experiment-dominated wet-biology research areas of microbial growth and survival, cell physiology, host-pathogen interactions, and competitive or symbiotic interactions. Additional examples relate to analyses of genome-sequence data, climate change and planetary health, habitability, and astrobiology. We assess the importance of thought at each step of the research process; the roles of natural philosophy, and inconsistencies in logic and language, as drivers of scientific progress; the value of thought experiments; the use and limitations of artificial intelligence technologies, including their potential for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research; and other instances when theory is the most-direct and most-scientifically robust route to scientific novelty including the development of techniques for practical experimentation or fieldwork. We highlight the intrinsic need for human engagement in scientific innovation, an issue pertinent to the ongoing controversy over papers authored using/authored by artificial intelligence (such as the large language model/chatbot ChatGPT). Other issues discussed are the way in which aspects of language can bias thinking towards the spatial rather than the temporal (and how this biased thinking can lead to skewed scientific terminology); receptivity to research that is non-mainstream; and the importance of theory-based science in education and epistemology. Whereas we briefly highlight classic works (those by Oakes Ames, Francis H.C. Crick and James D. Watson, Charles R. Darwin, Albert Einstein, James E. Lovelock, Lynn Margulis, Gilbert Ryle, Erwin R.J.A. Schrödinger, Alan M. Turing, and others), the focus is on microbiology studies that are more-recent, discussing these in the context of the scientific process and the types of scientific novelty that they represent. These include several studies carried out during the 2020 to 2022 lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic when access to research laboratories was disallowed (or limited). We interviewed the authors of some of the featured microbiology-related papers and-although we ourselves are involved in laboratory experiments and practical fieldwork-also drew from our own research experiences showing that such studies can not only produce new scientific findings but can also transcend barriers between disciplines, act counter to scientific reductionism, integrate biological data across different timescales and levels of complexity, and circumvent constraints imposed by practical techniques. In relation to urgent research needs, we believe that climate change and other global challenges may require approaches beyond the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E. Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | - Zulema Udaondo
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Carlos Pedrós‐Alió
- Department of Systems BiologyCentro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Juan Höfer
- Escuela de Ciencias del MarPontificia Universidad Católica de ValparaísoValparaísoChile
| | - Kathleen C. Benison
- Department of Geology and GeographyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Karen G. Lloyd
- Microbiology DepartmentUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Radamés J. B. Cordero
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Claudia B. L. de Campos
- Institute of Science and TechnologyUniversidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP)São José dos CamposSPBrazil
| | | | - Ricardo Amils
- Department of Molecular Biology, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC‐UAM)Nicolás Cabrera n° 1, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
- Department of Planetology and HabitabilityCentro de Astrobiología (INTA‐CSIC)Torrejón de ArdozSpain
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28
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Reva O, Messina E, La Cono V, Crisafi F, Smedile F, La Spada G, Marturano L, Selivanova EA, Rohde M, Krupovic M, Yakimov MM. Functional diversity of nanohaloarchaea within xylan-degrading consortia. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1182464. [PMID: 37323909 PMCID: PMC10266531 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1182464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Extremely halophilic representatives of the phylum Candidatus Nanohaloarchaeota (members of the DPANN superphyla) are obligately associated with extremely halophilic archaea of the phylum Halobacteriota (according to the GTDB taxonomy). Using culture-independent molecular techniques, their presence in various hypersaline ecosystems around the world has been confirmed over the past decade. However, the vast majority of nanohaloarchaea remain uncultivated, and thus their metabolic capabilities and ecophysiology are currently poorly understood. Using the (meta)genomic, transcriptomic, and DNA methylome platforms, the metabolism and functional prediction of the ecophysiology of two novel extremely halophilic symbiotic nanohaloarchaea (Ca. Nanohalococcus occultus and Ca. Nanohalovita haloferacivicina) stably cultivated in the laboratory as members of a xylose-degrading binary culture with a haloarchaeal host, Haloferax lucentense, was determined. Like all known DPANN superphylum nanoorganisms, these new sugar-fermenting nanohaloarchaea lack many fundamental biosynthetic repertoires, making them exclusively dependent on their respective host for survival. In addition, given the cultivability of the new nanohaloarchaea, we managed to discover many unique features in these new organisms that have never been observed in nano-sized archaea both within the phylum Ca. Nanohaloarchaeota and the entire superphylum DPANN. This includes the analysis of the expression of organism-specific non-coding regulatory (nc)RNAs (with an elucidation of their 2D-secondary structures) as well as profiling of DNA methylation. While some ncRNA molecules have been predicted with high confidence as RNAs of an archaeal signal recognition particle involved in delaying protein translation, others resemble the structure of ribosome-associated ncRNAs, although none belong to any known family. Moreover, the new nanohaloarchaea have very complex cellular defense mechanisms. In addition to the defense mechanism provided by the type II restriction-modification system, consisting of Dcm-like DNA methyltransferase and Mrr restriction endonuclease, Ca. Nanohalococcus encodes an active type I-D CRISPR/Cas system, containing 77 spacers divided into two loci. Despite their diminutive genomes and as part of their host interaction mechanism, the genomes of new nanohaloarchaea do encode giant surface proteins, and one of them (9,409 amino acids long) is the largest protein of any sequenced nanohaloarchaea and the largest protein ever discovered in cultivated archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Reva
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Violetta La Cono
- Extreme Microbiology, Biotechnology and Astrobiology Group, Institute of Polar Research, ISP-CNR, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Crisafi
- Extreme Microbiology, Biotechnology and Astrobiology Group, Institute of Polar Research, ISP-CNR, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Smedile
- Extreme Microbiology, Biotechnology and Astrobiology Group, Institute of Polar Research, ISP-CNR, Messina, Italy
| | - Gina La Spada
- Extreme Microbiology, Biotechnology and Astrobiology Group, Institute of Polar Research, ISP-CNR, Messina, Italy
| | - Laura Marturano
- Extreme Microbiology, Biotechnology and Astrobiology Group, Institute of Polar Research, ISP-CNR, Messina, Italy
| | - Elena A. Selivanova
- Institute for Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia
| | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Archaeal Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Michail M. Yakimov
- Extreme Microbiology, Biotechnology and Astrobiology Group, Institute of Polar Research, ISP-CNR, Messina, Italy
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29
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Li Y, Tang S, Chen J, Xi Z. Research Progress and Prospects on Microbial Response and Gas Potential in the Coal Gasification Process. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1293. [PMID: 37317267 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051293] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
As an essential unconventional natural gas resource, China's coalbed methane resources are only commercially exploited in a few areas, such as the Qinshui Basin and the Ordos. The rise of coalbed methane bioengineering makes it possible to realize the conversion and utilization of carbon dioxide through microbial action and the carbon cycle. According to the metabolic behavior of the underground microbial community, if the coal reservoir is modified, it may stimulate the microorganism to continuously produce biomethane to prolong the production life of depleted coalbed methane wells. This paper systematically discusses the microbial response to promoting microbial metabolism by nutrients (microbial stimulation), introducing exogenous microorganisms or domestication of in situ microorganisms (microbial enhancement), pretreating coal to change its physical or chemical properties to improve bioavailability, and improving environmental conditions. However, many problems must be solved before commercialization. The whole coal reservoir is regarded as a giant anaerobic fermentation system. Some issues still need to be solved during the implementation of coalbed methane bioengineering. Firstly, the metabolic mechanism of methanogenic microorganisms should be clarified. Secondly, it is urgent to study the optimization of high-efficiency hydrolysis bacteria and nutrient solutions in coal seams. Finally, the research on the underground microbial community ecosystem and biogeochemical cycle mechanism must be improved. The study provides a unique theory for the sustainable development of unconventional natural gas resources. Furthermore, it provides a scientific basis for realizing the carbon dioxide reuse and carbon element cycle in coalbed methane reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- School of Earth and Environment, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
- The Key Laboratory of Universities in Anhui Province for Prevention of Mine Geological Disasters, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Shuheng Tang
- School of Energy Resource, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Reservoir Evolution and Hydrocarbon Enrichment Mechanism, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory of Strategy Evaluation for Shale Gas, Ministry of Land and Resources, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jian Chen
- School of Earth and Environment, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
- The Key Laboratory of Universities in Anhui Province for Prevention of Mine Geological Disasters, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
| | - Zhaodong Xi
- School of Energy Resource, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Reservoir Evolution and Hydrocarbon Enrichment Mechanism, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100083, China
- Key Laboratory of Strategy Evaluation for Shale Gas, Ministry of Land and Resources, Beijing 100083, China
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Liu YH, Mohamad OAA, Gao L, Xie YG, Abdugheni R, Huang Y, Li L, Fang BZ, Li WJ. Sediment prokaryotic microbial community and potential biogeochemical cycle from saline lakes shaped by habitat. Microbiol Res 2023; 270:127342. [PMID: 36848700 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
The microbial diversity and ecological function in different saline lakes was reduced or disappeared as the influence of climate change and human activities even before they were known. However, reports about prokaryotic microbial of saline lakes from Xinjiang are very limited especially in large-scale investigations. In this study, a total of 6 saline lakes represented three different habitats, including hypersaline lake (HSL), arid saline lake (ASL), and light saltwater lake (LSL) were involved. The distribution pattern and potential functions of prokaryotes were investigated by using the cultivation-independent method of amplicon sequencing. The results showed that Proteobacteria was the predominant community and was widely distributed in all kinds of saline lakes, Desulfobacterota was the representative community in hypersaline lakes, Firmicutes and Acidobacteriota were mainly distributed in arid saline lake samples, and Chloroflexi was more abundant in light saltwater lakes. Specifically, the archaeal community was mainly distributed in the HSL and ASL samples, whereas it was very rare in the LSL lakes. The functional group showed that fermentation was the main metabolic process of microbes in all saline lakes and covered 8 phyla, including Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, Desulfobacterota, Firmicutes, Halanaerobiaeota, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetota, and Verrucomicrobiota. Among the 15 functional phyla, Proteobacteria was a distinctly important community in saline lakes, as it exhibited wide functions in the biogeochemical cycle. According to the correlation of environmental factors, SO42-, Na+, CO32-, and TN were significantly affected in the microbial community from saline lakes in this study. Overall, our study provided more detailed information about microbial community composition and distribution from three different habitats of saline lakes, especially the potential functions of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles, which provided new insight for understanding the complex microbiota adapt to the extreme environment and new perspectives on evaluating microbial contributions to degraded saline lakes under environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, PR China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Plant Gene Resources, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 830000 Urumqi, PR China
| | - Osama Abdalla Abdelshafy Mohamad
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, PR China; Department of Environmental Protection, Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, Al-Arish 45511, Egypt
| | - Lei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, PR China
| | - Yuan-Guo Xie
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China
| | - Rashidin Abdugheni
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, PR China
| | - Yin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, PR China
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, PR China
| | - Bao-Zhu Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, PR China.
| | - Wen-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China.
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31
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Dang Q, Zhao X, Li Y, Xi B. Revisiting the biological pathway for methanogenesis in landfill from metagenomic perspective-A case study of county-level sanitary landfill of domestic waste in North China plain. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 222:115185. [PMID: 36586711 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Landfill is the third highest contributor to anthropogenic methane (CH4) emissions, produced primarily by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter by microbes. However, how various microbial metabolic processes contribute to CH4 production in domestic waste landfill remains elusive. We addressed this problem by investigating the methanogenic communities, methanogenic functional genes, KEGG modules and KEGG pathways in a county-level MSW sanitary landfill in North China Plain, China. Results showed that Methanomicrobiales, Methanobacteriales, Methanosarcinales, Micrococcales, Corynebacteriales and Bacillales were the dominant methanogens. M00357, M00346, M00567 and M00563 were the four major methane metabolic modules. The most abundant genes were ACSS, ackA and fwd with the relative abundance of 19.26-54.54%, 6.14-25.78% and 6.76-16.51%, respectively. The two essential genes of methanogenesis were detected with the relative abundance of 2.66-9.58% (mtr) and 1.63-9.14% (mcr). These findings indicated that acetotrophic and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis were the major pathways. Methanomicrobiales, Methanosarcinales and Clostridiales were the key microbes to these pathways identified by co-occurrence network. Analysis of relative contribution of species to function further showed that Micrococcales, Corynebacteriales and Bacillales were special contributors to acetotrophic methanogenesis pathway. Redundancy analysis revealed that above functional genes and microbes were mainly controlled by NH4+ and pH. Our results can help to provide develop the fine management strategies for methane utilization and emission reduction in landfill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuling Dang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Hazardous Waste Identification and Risk Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Hazardous Waste Identification and Risk Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Yanping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Hazardous Waste Identification and Risk Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Beidou Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
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32
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García-Maldonado JQ, Latisnere-Barragán H, Escobar-Zepeda A, Cadena S, Ramírez-Arenas PJ, Vázquez-Juárez R, Rojas-Contreras M, López-Cortés A. Revisiting Microbial Diversity in Hypersaline Microbial Mats from Guerrero Negro for a Better Understanding of Methanogenic Archaeal Communities. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030812. [PMID: 36985385 PMCID: PMC10059902 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030812] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge regarding the diversity of methanogenic archaeal communities in hypersaline environments is limited because of the lack of efficient cultivation efforts as well as their low abundance and metabolic activities. In this study, we explored the microbial communities in hypersaline microbial mats. Bioinformatic analyses showed significant differences among the archaeal community structures for each studied site. Taxonomic assignment based on 16S rRNA and methyl coenzyme-M reductase (mcrA) gene sequences, as well as metagenomic analysis, corroborated the presence of Methanosarcinales. Furthermore, this study also provided evidence for the presence of Methanobacteriales, Methanomicrobiales, Methanomassiliicoccales, Candidatus Methanofastidiosales, Methanocellales, Methanococcales and Methanopyrales, although some of these were found in extremely low relative abundances. Several mcrA environmental sequences were significantly different from those previously reported and did not match with any known methanogenic archaea, suggesting the presence of specific environmental clusters of methanogenic archaea in Guerrero Negro. Based on functional inference and the detection of specific genes in the metagenome, we hypothesised that all four methanogenic pathways were able to occur in these environments. This study allowed the detection of extremely low-abundance methanogenic archaea, which were highly diverse and with unknown physiology, evidencing the presence of all methanogenic metabolic pathways rather than the sheer existence of exclusively methylotrophic methanogenic archaea in hypersaline environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Q García-Maldonado
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Mérida, Mérida 97310, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Hever Latisnere-Barragán
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz 23205, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | | | - Santiago Cadena
- Centro de Investigaciones Químicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Patricia J Ramírez-Arenas
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz 23205, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Vázquez-Juárez
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz 23205, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Maurilia Rojas-Contreras
- Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz 23080, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Alejandro López-Cortés
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz 23205, Baja California Sur, Mexico
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Lynes MM, Krukenberg V, Jay ZJ, Kohtz AJ, Gobrogge CA, Spietz RL, Hatzenpichler R. Diversity and function of methyl-coenzyme M reductase-encoding archaea in Yellowstone hot springs revealed by metagenomics and mesocosm experiments. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:22. [PMID: 36949220 PMCID: PMC10033731 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-023-00225-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Metagenomic studies on geothermal environments have been central in recent discoveries on the diversity of archaeal methane and alkane metabolism. Here, we investigated methanogenic populations inhabiting terrestrial geothermal features in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) by combining amplicon sequencing with metagenomics and mesocosm experiments. Detection of methyl-coenzyme M reductase subunit A (mcrA) gene amplicons demonstrated a wide diversity of Mcr-encoding archaea inhabit geothermal features with differing physicochemical regimes across YNP. From three selected hot springs we recovered twelve Mcr-encoding metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) affiliated with lineages of cultured methanogens as well as Candidatus (Ca.) Methanomethylicia, Ca. Hadesarchaeia, and Archaeoglobi. These MAGs encoded the potential for hydrogenotrophic, aceticlastic, hydrogen-dependent methylotrophic methanogenesis, or anaerobic short-chain alkane oxidation. While Mcr-encoding archaea represent minor fractions of the microbial community of hot springs, mesocosm experiments with methanogenic precursors resulted in the stimulation of methanogenic activity and the enrichment of lineages affiliated with Methanosaeta and Methanothermobacter as well as with uncultured Mcr-encoding archaea including Ca. Korarchaeia, Ca. Nezhaarchaeia, and Archaeoglobi. We revealed that diverse Mcr-encoding archaea with the metabolic potential to produce methane from different precursors persist in the geothermal environments of YNP and can be enriched under methanogenic conditions. This study highlights the importance of combining environmental metagenomics with laboratory-based experiments to expand our understanding of uncultured Mcr-encoding archaea and their potential impact on microbial carbon transformations in geothermal environments and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie M Lynes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Viola Krukenberg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA.
| | - Zackary J Jay
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Anthony J Kohtz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | | | - Rachel L Spietz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Roland Hatzenpichler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Biofilm Engineering, and Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA.
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34
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Bueno de Mesquita CP, Wu D, Tringe SG. Methyl-Based Methanogenesis: an Ecological and Genomic Review. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2023; 87:e0002422. [PMID: 36692297 PMCID: PMC10029344 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00024-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Methyl-based methanogenesis is one of three broad categories of archaeal anaerobic methanogenesis, including both the methyl dismutation (methylotrophic) pathway and the methyl-reducing (also known as hydrogen-dependent methylotrophic) pathway. Methyl-based methanogenesis is increasingly recognized as an important source of methane in a variety of environments. Here, we provide an overview of methyl-based methanogenesis research, including the conditions under which methyl-based methanogenesis can be a dominant source of methane emissions, experimental methods for distinguishing different pathways of methane production, molecular details of the biochemical pathways involved, and the genes and organisms involved in these processes. We also identify the current gaps in knowledge and present a genomic and metagenomic survey of methyl-based methanogenesis genes, highlighting the diversity of methyl-based methanogens at multiple taxonomic levels and the widespread distribution of known methyl-based methanogenesis genes and families across different environments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dongying Wu
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Susannah G. Tringe
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
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35
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Durán-Viseras A, Sánchez-Porro C, Viver T, Konstantinidis KT, Ventosa A. Discovery of the Streamlined Haloarchaeon Halorutilus salinus, Comprising a New Order Widespread in Hypersaline Environments across the World. mSystems 2023; 8:e0119822. [PMID: 36943059 PMCID: PMC10134839 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01198-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The class Halobacteria is one of the most diverse groups within the Euryarchaeota phylum, whose members are ubiquitously distributed in hypersaline environments, where they often constitute the major population. Here, we report the discovery and isolation of a new halophilic archaeon, strain F3-133T exhibiting ≤86.3% 16S rRNA gene identity to any previously cultivated archaeon, and, thus, representing a new order. Analysis of available 16S rRNA gene amplicon and metagenomic data sets showed that the new isolate represents an abundant group in intermediate-to-high salinity ecosystems and is widely distributed across the world. The isolate presents a streamlined genome, which probably accounts for its ecological success in nature and its fastidious growth in culture. The predominant osmoprotection mechanism appears to be the typical salt-in strategy used by other haloarchaea. Furthermore, the genome contains the complete gene set for nucleotide monophosphate degradation pathway through archaeal RuBisCO, being within the first halophilic archaea representatives reported to code this enzyme. Genomic comparisons with previously described representatives of the phylum Euryarchaeota were consistent with the 16S rRNA gene data in supporting that our isolate represents a novel order within the class Halobacteria for which we propose the names Halorutilales ord. nov., Halorutilaceae fam. nov., Halorutilus gen. nov. and Halorutilus salinus sp. nov. IMPORTANCE The discovery of the new halophilic archaeon, Halorutilus salinus, representing a novel order, family, genus, and species within the class Halobacteria and phylum Euryarchaeota clearly enables insights into the microbial dark matter, expanding the current taxonomical knowledge of this group of archaea. The in-depth comparative genomic analysis performed on this new taxon revealed one of the first known examples of an Halobacteria representative coding the archaeal RuBisCO gene and with a streamlined genome, being ecologically successful in nature and explaining its previous non-isolation. Altogether, this research brings light into the understanding of the physiology of the Halobacteria class members, their ecological distribution, and capacity to thrive in hypersaline environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Durán-Viseras
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Cristina Sánchez-Porro
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Tomeu Viver
- Marine Microbiology Group, Department of Animal and Microbial Biodiversity, Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, CSIC-UIB), Esporles, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Ventosa
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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Yu G, Chen J, Wang G, Chen H, Huang J, Li Y, Wang W, Song F, Ma Y, Wang Q, Wang M, Ling T, Shu Z, Sun J, Yu Z. Recent advances in constructed wetlands methane reduction: Mechanisms and methods. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1106332. [PMID: 36819020 PMCID: PMC9936987 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1106332] [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: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Constructed wetlands (CWs) are artificial systems that use natural processes to treat wastewater containing organic pollutants. This approach has been widely applied in both developing and developed countries worldwide, providing a cost-effective method for industrial wastewater treatment and the improvement of environmental water quality. However, due to the large organic carbon inputs, CWs is produced in varying amounts of CH4 and have the potential to become an important contributor to global climate change. Subsequently, research on the mitigation of CH4 emissions by CWs is key to achieving sustainable, low-carbon dependency wastewater treatment systems. This review evaluates the current research on CH4 emissions from CWs through bibliometric analysis, summarizing the reported mechanisms of CH4 generation, transfer and oxidation in CWs. Furthermore, the important environmental factors driving CH4 generation in CW systems are summarized, including: temperature, water table position, oxidation reduction potential, and the effects of CW characteristics such as wetland type, plant species composition, substrate type, CW-coupled microbial fuel cell, oxygen supply, available carbon source, and salinity. This review provides guidance and novel perspectives for sustainable and effective CW management, as well as for future studies on CH4 reduction in CWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanlong Yu
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Jundan Chen
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Guoliang Wang
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Huifang Chen
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Jiajun Huang
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Yifu Li
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Wenming Wang
- Technology Center, Hunan Pilot Yanghu Reclaimed Water Co., Ltd., Changsha, China
| | - Fengming Song
- Technology Center, Hunan Pilot Yanghu Reclaimed Water Co., Ltd., Changsha, China
| | - Yuanjun Ma
- Technology Department, Hunan Rongantai Ecological Technology Co., Ltd., Changsha, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Technology and Information Department, CCCC-TDC Environmental Engineering Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China
| | - Miaomiao Wang
- Technology and Information Department, CCCC-TDC Environmental Engineering Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Ling
- Engineering Department, China Railway Wuju Group the First Engineering Co., Ltd., Changsha, China
| | - Zhilai Shu
- Engineering Department, China Railway Wuju Group the First Engineering Co., Ltd., Changsha, China
| | - Julong Sun
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Zhi Yu
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, China
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Morgan-Lang C, Hallam SJ. A Guide to Gene-Centric Analysis Using TreeSAPP. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e671. [PMID: 36801973 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Gene-centric analysis is commonly used to chart the structure, function, and activity of microbial communities in natural and engineered environments. A common approach is to create custom ad hoc reference marker gene sets, but these come with the typical disadvantages of inaccuracy and limited utility beyond assigning query sequences taxonomic labels. The Tree-based Sensitive and Accurate Phylogenetic Profiler (TreeSAPP) software package standardizes analysis of phylogenetic and functional marker genes and improves predictive performance using a classification algorithm that leverages information-rich reference packages consisting of a multiple sequence alignment, a profile hidden Markov model, taxonomic lineage information, and a phylogenetic tree. Here, we provide a set of protocols that link the various analysis modules in TreeSAPP into a coherent process that both informs and directs the user experience. This workflow, initiated from a collection of candidate reference sequences, progresses through construction and refinement of a reference package to marker identification and normalized relative abundance calculations for homologous sequences in metagenomic and metatranscriptomic datasets. The alpha subunit of methyl-coenzyme M reductase (McrA) involved in biological methane cycling is presented as a use case given its dual role as a phylogenetic and functional marker gene driving an ecologically relevant process. These protocols fill several gaps in prior TreeSAPP documentation and provide best practices for reference package construction and refinement, including manual curation steps from trusted sources in support of reproducible gene-centric analysis. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Creating reference packages Support Protocol 1: Installing TreeSAPP Support Protocol 2: Annotating traits within a phylogenetic context Basic Protocol 2: Updating reference packages Basic Protocol 3: Calculating relative abundance of genes in metagenomic and metatranscriptomic datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Morgan-Lang
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, University of British Columbia, Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Steven J Hallam
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, University of British Columbia, Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Genome Science and Technology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,ECOSCOPE Training Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Chen R, Bao Y, Zhang Y. A Review of Biogenic Coalbed Methane Experimental Studies in China. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020304. [PMID: 36838269 PMCID: PMC9959753 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020304] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biogenic coalbed methane (CBM) is an important alternative energy that can help achieve carbon neutrality. Accordingly, its exploration and development have become a research hotspot in the field of fossil energy. In this review, the latest detection technologies for and experimental research on biogenic CBM in China in recent decades are summarized. The factors influencing the generation of biogenic CBM and the identification method of biogenic CBM are systematically analyzed. The technologies to detect biogas and the research methods to study microbial diversity are summarized. The literature shows that biogenic CBM is easily produced in the presence of highly abundant organic matter of low maturity, and the organic matter reaching a certain thickness can compensate for the limitation of biogenic CBM gas production due to the small abundance of organic matter to a certain extent. Biogenic CBM production could be increased in an environment with low salinity, medium alkalinity, and rich Fe2+ and Ni2+ sources. Furthermore, biogenic CBM can be identified by considering three aspects: (1) the presence of gas composition indicators; (2) the content of heavy hydrocarbon; and (3) variation in the abundance of biomarkers. In recent years, research methods to study the microbial community and diversity of CBM-producing environments in China have mainly included 16S rRNA gene library, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and high-throughput sequencing, and the dominant microorganisms have been determined in various basins in China. The results of numerous studies show that the dominant bacterial phyla are commonly Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, while the archaeal fraction mainly includes Methanoculleus, Methanobacterium, Methanocorpusculum, and Methanothrix. This review summarizes and discusses the advances in biogenic CBM production and the associated microbial community in order to promote further development of coal biotransformation and CO2 bio-utilization to meet energy demands under carbon neutrality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Coal-Based Greenhouse Gas Control and Utilization, Carbon Neutrality Institute, CUMT, Xuzhou 221008, China
- Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resource & Reservoir Formation History, Ministry of Education, School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-158-0520-3840
| | - Yunxia Bao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Coal-Based Greenhouse Gas Control and Utilization, Carbon Neutrality Institute, CUMT, Xuzhou 221008, China
- Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resource & Reservoir Formation History, Ministry of Education, School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
| | - Yajun Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Coal-Based Greenhouse Gas Control and Utilization, Carbon Neutrality Institute, CUMT, Xuzhou 221008, China
- Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resource & Reservoir Formation History, Ministry of Education, School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
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39
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Jeilu O, Gessesse A, Simachew A, Johansson E, Alexandersson E. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial diversity from three soda lakes in the East African Rift Valley determined by amplicon sequencing. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:999876. [PMID: 36569062 PMCID: PMC9772273 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.999876] [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: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Soda lakes are unique poly-extreme environments with high alkalinity and salinity that support diverse microbial communities despite their extreme nature. In this study, prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial diversity in samples of the three soda lakes, Lake Abijata, Lake Chitu and Lake Shala in the East African Rift Valley, were determined using amplicon sequencing. Culture-independent analysis showed higher diversity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial communities in all three soda lakes than previously reported. A total of 3,603 prokaryotic and 898 eukaryotic operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were found through culture-independent amplicon sequencing, whereas only 134 bacterial OTUs, which correspond to 3%, were obtained by enrichment cultures. This shows that only a fraction of the microorganisms from these habitats can be cultured under laboratory conditions. Of the three soda lakes, samples from Lake Chitu showed the highest prokaryotic diversity, while samples from Lake Shala showed the lowest diversity. Pseudomonadota (Halomonas), Bacillota (Bacillus, Clostridia), Bacteroidota (Bacteroides), Euryarchaeota (Thermoplasmata, Thermococci, Methanomicrobia, Halobacter), and Nanoarchaeota (Woesearchaeia) were the most common prokaryotic microbes in the three soda lakes. A high diversity of eukaryotic organisms were identified, primarily represented by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Compared to the other two lakes, a higher number of eukaryotic OTUs were found in Lake Abijata. The present study showed that these unique habitats harbour diverse microbial genetic resources with possible use in biotechnological applications, which should be further investigated by functional metagenomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliyad Jeilu
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden,*Correspondence: Oliyad Jeilu,
| | - Amare Gessesse
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
| | - Addis Simachew
- Institute of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Eva Johansson
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Erik Alexandersson
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
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40
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Adam PS, Kolyfetis GE, Bornemann TLV, Vorgias CE, Probst AJ. Genomic remnants of ancestral methanogenesis and hydrogenotrophy in Archaea drive anaerobic carbon cycling. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm9651. [PMID: 36332026 PMCID: PMC9635834 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm9651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic methane metabolism is among the hallmarks of Archaea, originating very early in their evolution. Here, we show that the ancestor of methane metabolizers was an autotrophic CO2-reducing hydrogenotrophic methanogen that possessed the two main complexes, methyl-CoM reductase (Mcr) and tetrahydromethanopterin-CoM methyltransferase (Mtr), the anaplerotic hydrogenases Eha and Ehb, and a set of other genes collectively called "methanogenesis markers" but could not oxidize alkanes. Overturning recent inferences, we demonstrate that methyl-dependent hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis has emerged multiple times independently, either due to a loss of Mtr while Mcr is inherited vertically or from an ancient lateral acquisition of Mcr. Even if Mcr is lost, Mtr, Eha, Ehb, and the markers can persist, resulting in mixotrophic metabolisms centered around the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Through their methanogenesis remnants, Thorarchaeia and two newly reconstructed order-level lineages in Archaeoglobi and Bathyarchaeia act as metabolically versatile players in carbon cycling of anoxic environments across the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis S. Adam
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
- Corresponding author.
| | - George E. Kolyfetis
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Till L. V. Bornemann
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Constantinos E. Vorgias
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexander J. Probst
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
- Research Center One Health Ruhr, Research Alliance Ruhr, Environmental Metagenomics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
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41
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Guo LT, Amikura K, Jiang HK, Mukai T, Fu X, Wang YS, O'Donoghue P, Söll D, Tharp JM. Ancestral archaea expanded the genetic code with pyrrolysine. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102521. [PMID: 36152750 PMCID: PMC9630628 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) facilitates the cotranslational installation of the 22nd amino acid pyrrolysine. Owing to its tolerance for diverse amino acid substrates, and its orthogonality in multiple organisms, PylRS has emerged as a major route to install noncanonical amino acids into proteins in living cells. Recently, a novel class of PylRS enzymes was identified in a subset of methanogenic archaea. Enzymes within this class (ΔPylSn) lack the N-terminal tRNA-binding domain that is widely conserved amongst PylRS enzymes, yet remain active and orthogonal in bacteria and eukaryotes. In this study, we use biochemical and in vivo UAG-readthrough assays to characterize the aminoacylation efficiency and substrate spectrum of a ΔPylSn class PylRS from the archaeon Candidatus Methanomethylophilus alvus. We show that, compared with the full-length enzyme from Methanosarcina mazei, the Ca. M. alvus PylRS displays reduced aminoacylation efficiency but an expanded amino acid substrate spectrum. To gain insight into the evolution of ΔPylSn enzymes, we performed molecular phylogeny using 156 PylRS and 105 pyrrolysine tRNA (tRNAPyl) sequences from diverse archaea and bacteria. This analysis suggests that the PylRS•tRNAPyl pair diverged before the evolution of the three domains of life, placing an early limit on the evolution of the Pyl-decoding trait. Furthermore, our results document the coevolutionary history of PylRS and tRNAPyl and reveal the emergence of tRNAPyl sequences with unique A73 and U73 discriminator bases. The orthogonality of these tRNAPyl species with the more common G73-containing tRNAPyl will enable future efforts to engineer PylRS systems for further genetic code expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Tao Guo
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kazuaki Amikura
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Department of Interdisciplinary Space Science, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Han-Kai Jiang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Takahito Mukai
- Department of Life Science, College of Science, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xian Fu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yane-Shih Wang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Patrick O'Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada; Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Dieter Söll
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jeffery M Tharp
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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42
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Sorokin DY, Merkel AY, Abbas B. Ecology of Methanonatronarchaeia. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:5217-5229. [PMID: 35726892 PMCID: PMC9796771 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Methanonatronarchaeia represents a deep-branching phylogenetic lineage of extremely halo(alkali)philic and moderately thermophilic methyl-reducing methanogens belonging to the phylum Halobacteriota. It includes two genera, the alkaliphilic Methanonatronarchaeum and the neutrophilic Ca. Methanohalarchaeum. The former is represented by multiple closely related pure culture isolates from hypersaline soda lakes, while the knowledge about the latter is limited to a few mixed cultures with anaerobic haloarchaea. To get more insight into the distribution and ecophysiology of this enigmatic group of extremophilic methanogens, potential activity tests and enrichment cultivation with different substrates and at different conditions were performed with anaerobic sediment slurries from various hypersaline lakes in Russia. Methanonatronarchaeum proliferated exclusively in hypersaline soda lake samples mostly at elevated temperature, while at mesophilic conditions it coexisted with the extremely salt-tolerant methylotroph Methanosalsum natronophilum. Methanonatronarchaeum was also able to serve as a methylotrophic or hydrogenotrophic partner in several thermophilic enrichment cultures with fermentative bacteria. Ca. Methanohalarchaeum did not proliferate at mesophilic conditions and at thermophilic conditions it competed with extremely halophilic and moderately thermophilic methylotroph Methanohalobium, which it outcompeted at a combination of elevated temperature and methyl-reducing conditions. Overall, the results demonstrated that Methanonatronarchaeia are specialized extremophiles specifically proliferating in conditions of elevated temperature coupled with extreme salinity and simultaneous availability of a wide range of C1 -methylated compounds and H2 /formate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitry Y. Sorokin
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Centre of BiotechnologyRussian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
- Department of BiotechnologyDelft University of BiotechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
| | - Alexander Y. Merkel
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Centre of BiotechnologyRussian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
| | - Ben Abbas
- Department of BiotechnologyDelft University of BiotechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
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43
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Shao N, Fan Y, Chou CW, Yavari S, Williams RV, Amster IJ, Brown SM, Drake IJ, Duin EC, Whitman WB, Liu Y. Expression of divergent methyl/alkyl coenzyme M reductases from uncultured archaea. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1113. [PMID: 36266535 PMCID: PMC9584954 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04057-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Methanogens and anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaea (ANME) are important players in the global carbon cycle. Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) is a key enzyme in methane metabolism, catalyzing the last step in methanogenesis and the first step in anaerobic methane oxidation. Divergent mcr and mcr-like genes have recently been identified in uncultured archaeal lineages. However, the assembly and biochemistry of MCRs from uncultured archaea remain largely unknown. Here we present an approach to study MCRs from uncultured archaea by heterologous expression in a methanogen, Methanococcus maripaludis. Promoter, operon structure, and temperature were important determinants for MCR production. Both recombinant methanococcal and ANME-2 MCR assembled with the host MCR forming hybrid complexes, whereas tested ANME-1 MCR and ethyl-coenzyme M reductase only formed homogenous complexes. Together with structural modeling, this suggests that ANME-2 and methanogen MCRs are structurally similar and their reaction directions are likely regulated by thermodynamics rather than intrinsic structural differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Shao
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Yu Fan
- EMTEC IT, ExxonMobil Technical Computing Company, Annandale, NJ, USA
| | - Chau-Wen Chou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Shadi Yavari
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | | | | | - Stuart M Brown
- Energy Sciences, ExxonMobil Technology & Engineering Company, Annandale, NJ, USA
| | - Ian J Drake
- Biomedical Sciences, ExxonMobil Technology & Engineering Company, Annandale, NJ, USA
| | - Evert C Duin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | | | - Yuchen Liu
- Energy Sciences, ExxonMobil Technology & Engineering Company, Annandale, NJ, USA.
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44
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Ou YF, Dong HP, McIlroy SJ, Crowe SA, Hallam SJ, Han P, Kallmeyer J, Simister RL, Vuillemin A, Leu AO, Liu Z, Zheng YL, Sun QL, Liu M, Tyson GW, Hou LJ. Expanding the phylogenetic distribution of cytochrome b-containing methanogenic archaea sheds light on the evolution of methanogenesis. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:2373-2387. [PMID: 35810262 PMCID: PMC9478090 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01281-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Methane produced by methanogenic archaea has an important influence on Earth's changing climate. Methanogenic archaea are phylogenetically diverse and widespread in anoxic environments. These microorganisms can be divided into two subgroups based on whether or not they use b-type cytochromes for energy conservation. Methanogens with b-type cytochromes have a wider substrate range and higher growth yields than those without them. To date, methanogens with b-type cytochromes were found exclusively in the phylum "Ca. Halobacteriota" (formerly part of the phylum Euryarchaeota). Here, we present the discovery of metagenome-assembled genomes harboring methyl-coenzyme M reductase genes reconstructed from mesophilic anoxic sediments, together with the previously reported thermophilic "Ca. Methylarchaeum tengchongensis", representing a novel archaeal order, designated the "Ca. Methylarchaeales", of the phylum Thermoproteota (formerly the TACK superphylum). These microorganisms contain genes required for methyl-reducing methanogenesis and the Wood-Ljundahl pathway. Importantly, the genus "Ca. Methanotowutia" of the "Ca. Methylarchaeales" encode a cytochrome b-containing heterodisulfide reductase (HdrDE) and methanophenazine-reducing hydrogenase complex that have similar gene arrangements to those found in methanogenic Methanosarcinales. Our results indicate that members of the "Ca. Methylarchaeales" are methanogens with cytochromes and can conserve energy via membrane-bound electron transport chains. Phylogenetic and amalgamated likelihood estimation analyses indicate that methanogens with cytochrome b-containing electron transfer complexes likely evolved before diversification of Thermoproteota or "Ca. Halobacteriota" in the early Archean Eon. Surveys of public sequence databases suggest that members of the lineage are globally distributed in anoxic sediments and may be important players in the methane cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Fei Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hong-Po Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| | - Simon J McIlroy
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Sean A Crowe
- Ecosystem Services, Commercialization Platforms, and Entrepreneurship (ECOSCOPE) Training Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Steven J Hallam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ping Han
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jens Kallmeyer
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Rachel L Simister
- Ecosystem Services, Commercialization Platforms, and Entrepreneurship (ECOSCOPE) Training Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Aurele Vuillemin
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Andy O Leu
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Zhanfei Liu
- Marine Science Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Port Aransas, TX, 78373, USA
| | - Yan-Ling Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Qian-Li Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Gene W Tyson
- Centre for Microbiome Research, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Li-Jun Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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45
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Venturini AM, Dias NMS, Gontijo JB, Yoshiura CA, Paula FS, Meyer KM, Nakamura FM, da França AG, Borges CD, Barlow J, Berenguer E, Nüsslein K, Rodrigues JLM, Bohannan BJM, Tsai SM. Increased soil moisture intensifies the impacts of forest-to-pasture conversion on methane emissions and methane-cycling communities in the Eastern Amazon. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113139. [PMID: 35337832 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Climatic changes are altering precipitation patterns in the Amazon and may influence soil methane (CH4) fluxes due to the differential responses of methanogenic and methanotrophic microorganisms. However, it remains unclear if these climate feedbacks can amplify land-use-related impacts on the CH4 cycle. To better predict the responses of soil CH4-cycling microorganisms and emissions under altered moisture levels in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon, we performed a 30-day microcosm experiment manipulating the moisture content (original moisture; 60%, 80%, and 100% of field capacity - FC) of forest and pasture soils. Gas samples were collected periodically for gas chromatography analysis, and methanogenic archaeal and methanotrophic bacterial communities were assessed using quantitative PCR and metagenomics. Positive and negative daily CH4 fluxes were observed for forest and pasture, indicating that these soils can act as both CH4 sources and sinks. Cumulative emissions and the abundance of methanogenesis-related genes and taxonomic groups were affected by land use, moisture, and their interaction. Pasture soils at 100% FC had the highest abundance of methanogens and CH4 emissions, 22 times higher than forest soils under the same treatment. Higher ratios of methanogens to methanotrophs were found in pasture than in forest soils, even at field capacity conditions. Land use and moisture were significant factors influencing the composition of methanogenic and methanotrophic communities. The diversity and evenness of methanogens did not change throughout the experiment. In contrast, methanotrophs exhibited the highest diversity and evenness in pasture soils at 100% FC. Taken together, our results suggest that increased moisture exacerbates soil CH4 emissions and microbial responses driven by land-use change in the Amazon. This is the first report on the microbial CH4 cycle in Amazonian upland soils that combined one-month gas measurements with advanced molecular methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andressa M Venturini
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-000, Brazil; Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
| | - Naissa M S Dias
- Environmental Biogeochemistry Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-000, Brazil
| | - Júlia B Gontijo
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-000, Brazil
| | - Caio A Yoshiura
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-000, Brazil
| | - Fabiana S Paula
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-000, Brazil; Department of Biological Oceanography, Oceanographic Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-120, Brazil
| | - Kyle M Meyer
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, University of California - Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Fernanda M Nakamura
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-000, Brazil
| | - Aline G da França
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-000, Brazil
| | - Clovis D Borges
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-000, Brazil
| | - Jos Barlow
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Erika Berenguer
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK; Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
| | - Klaus Nüsslein
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Jorge L M Rodrigues
- Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Brendan J M Bohannan
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA
| | - Siu M Tsai
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13416-000, Brazil
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46
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Cai M, Tang X. Human Archaea and Associated Metabolites in Health and Disease. Biochemistry 2022; 61:2835-2840. [PMID: 35770746 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, live in or on the human body. Microbe-microbe and microbe-host interactions are often influenced by diffusible and microbe-associated small molecules. Over the past few years, it has become evident that these interactions have a substantial impact on human health and disease. In this Perspective, we summarize the research involving the discovery of methanogenic and non-methanogenic archaea associated with the human body. In particular, we emphasize the importance of some archaeal metabolites in mediating intra- and interspecies interactions in the ecological environment of the human body. A deep understanding of the archaeal metabolites as well as their biological functions may reveal in more detail whether and how archaea are involved in maintaining human health and/or causing certain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingwei Cai
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Xiaoyu Tang
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
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47
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Garcia PS, Gribaldo S, Borrel G. Diversity and Evolution of Methane-Related Pathways in Archaea. Annu Rev Microbiol 2022; 76:727-755. [PMID: 35759872 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-041020-024935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Methane is one of the most important greenhouse gases on Earth and holds an important place in the global carbon cycle. Archaea are the only organisms that use methanogenesis to produce energy and rely on the methyl-coenzyme M reductase (Mcr) complex. Over the last decade, new results have significantly reshaped our view of the diversity of methane-related pathways in the Archaea. Many new lineages that synthesize or use methane have been identified across the whole archaeal tree, leading to a greatly expanded diversity of substrates and mechanisms. In this review, we present the state of the art of these advances and how they challenge established scenarios of the origin and evolution of methanogenesis, and we discuss the potential trajectories that may have led to this strikingly wide range of metabolisms.Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 76 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Simon Garcia
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, UMR CNRS 6047, Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France; ,
| | - Simonetta Gribaldo
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, UMR CNRS 6047, Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France; ,
| | - Guillaume Borrel
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, UMR CNRS 6047, Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell, Paris, France; ,
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48
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Gophna U, Altman-Price N. Horizontal Gene Transfer in Archaea-From Mechanisms to Genome Evolution. Annu Rev Microbiol 2022; 76:481-502. [PMID: 35667126 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-040820-124627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Archaea remains the least-studied and least-characterized domain of life despite its significance not just to the ecology of our planet but also to the evolution of eukaryotes. It is therefore unsurprising that research into horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in archaea has lagged behind that of bacteria. Indeed, several archaeal lineages may owe their very existence to large-scale HGT events, and thus understanding both the molecular mechanisms and the evolutionary impact of HGT in archaea is highly important. Furthermore, some mechanisms of gene exchange, such as plasmids that transmit themselves via membrane vesicles and the formation of cytoplasmic bridges that allows transfer of both chromosomal and plasmid DNA, may be archaea specific. This review summarizes what we know about HGT in archaea, and the barriers that restrict it, highlighting exciting recent discoveries and pointing out opportunities for future research. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 76 is September 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Gophna
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; ,
| | - Neta Altman-Price
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; , .,Department of Natural and Life Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Raanana, Israel
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49
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Sorokin DY, Merkel AY, Messina E, Tugui C, Pabst M, Golyshin PN, Yakimov MM. Anaerobic carboxydotrophy in sulfur-respiring haloarchaea from hypersaline lakes. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:1534-1546. [PMID: 35132120 PMCID: PMC9123189 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-022-01206-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic carboxydotrophy is a widespread catabolic trait in bacteria, with two dominant pathways: hydrogenogenic and acetogenic. The marginal mode by direct oxidation to CO2 using an external e-acceptor has only a few examples. Use of sulfidic sediments from two types of hypersaline lakes in anaerobic enrichments with CO as an e-donor and elemental sulfur as an e-acceptor led to isolation of two pure cultures of anaerobic carboxydotrophs belonging to two genera of sulfur-reducing haloarchaea: Halanaeroarchaeum sp. HSR-CO from salt lakes and Halalkaliarchaeum sp. AArc-CO from soda lakes. Anaerobic growth of extremely halophilic archaea with CO was obligatory depended on the presence of elemental sulfur as the electron acceptor and yeast extract as the carbon source. CO served as a direct electron donor and H2 was not generated from CO when cells were incubated with or without sulfur. The genomes of the isolates encode a catalytic Ni,Fe-CODH subunit CooS (distantly related to bacterial homologs) and its Ni-incorporating chaperone CooC (related to methanogenic homologs) within a single genomic locus. Similar loci were also present in a genome of the type species of Halalkaliarchaeum closely related to AArc-CO, and the ability for anaerobic sulfur-dependent carboxydotrophy was confirmed for three different strains of this genus. Moreover, similar proteins are encoded in three of the four genomes of recently described carbohydrate-utilizing sulfur-reducing haloarchaea belonging to the genus Halapricum and in two yet undescribed haloarchaeal species. Overall, this work demonstrated for the first time the potential for anaerobic sulfur-dependent carboxydotrophy in extremely halophilic archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitry Y Sorokin
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Federal Research Centre of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Alexander Y Merkel
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Federal Research Centre of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Enzo Messina
- IRBIM-CNR, Spianata S.Raineri 86, 98122, Messina, Italy
| | - Claudia Tugui
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Pabst
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Peter N Golyshin
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
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50
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Gagliano MC, Sampara P, Plugge CM, Temmink H, Sudmalis D, Ziels RM. Functional Insights of Salinity Stress-Related Pathways in Metagenome-Resolved Methanothrix Genomes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0244921. [PMID: 35477253 PMCID: PMC9128505 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02449-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, methanogenic archaea belonging to the genus Methanothrix were reported to have a fundamental role in maintaining stable ecosystem functioning in anaerobic bioreactors under different configurations/conditions. In this study, we reconstructed three Methanothrix metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from granular sludge collected from saline upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors, where Methanothrix harundinacea was previously implicated with the formation of compact and stable granules under elevated salinity levels (up to 20 g/L Na+). Genome annotation and pathway analysis of the Methanothrix MAGs revealed a genetic repertoire supporting their growth under high salinity. Specifically, the most dominant Methanothrix (MAG_279), classified as a subspecies of Methanothrix_A harundinacea_D, had the potential to augment its salinity resistance through the production of different glycoconjugates via the N-glycosylation process, and via the production of compatible solutes as Nε-acetyl-β-lysine and ectoine. The stabilization and reinforcement of the cell membrane via the production of isoprenoids was identified as an additional stress-related pathway in this microorganism. The improved understanding of the salinity stress-related mechanisms of M. harundinacea highlights its ecological niche in extreme conditions, opening new perspectives for high-efficiency methanisation of organic waste at high salinities, as well as the possible persistence of this methanogen in highly-saline natural anaerobic environments. IMPORTANCE Using genome-centric metagenomics, we discovered a new Methanothrix harundinacea subspecies that appears to be a halotolerant acetoclastic methanogen with the flexibility for adaptation in the anaerobic digestion process both at low (5 g/L Na+) and high salinity conditions (20 g/L Na+). Annotation of the recovered M. harundinacea genome revealed salinity stress-related functions, including the modification of EPS glycoconjugates and the production of compatible solutes. This is the first study reporting these genomic features within a Methanothrix sp., a milestone further supporting previous studies that identified M. harundinacea as a key-driver in anaerobic granulation under high salinity stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Gagliano
- Wetsus – European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Pranav Sampara
- Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Caroline M. Plugge
- Wetsus – European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hardy Temmink
- Wetsus – European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dainis Sudmalis
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ryan M. Ziels
- Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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