1
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Wu J, Zhuang X, Zhao R, Wang Y. Insights into the biocorrosion of Q235A steel influenced by the electron transfer process between iron and methanogenic microbiota. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 261:119765. [PMID: 39134113 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119765] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Anaerobic microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of Fe (0) metals causes great harm to the environment and economy, which depends on the key electron transfer process between anaerobic microorganisms and Fe (0) metals. However, the key electron transfer process in microbiota dominating MIC remains unclear, especially for methanogenic microbiota wildly distributed in the environment. Herein, three different methanogenic microbiota (Methanothrix, Methanospirillum, and Methanobacterium) were acclimated to systematically investigate electron transfer pathways on corroding Q235A steel coupons. Results indicated that microbiota dominated by Methanothrix, Methanospirillum, or Methanobacterium accelerated the steel corrosion mainly through direct electron transfer (DET) pathway, H2 mediated electron transfer (HMET) pathway, and combined DET and HMET pathways, respectively. Compared with Methanospirillum dominant microbiota, Methanothrix or Methanobacterium dominant microbiota caused more methane production, higher weight loss, corrosion pits with larger areas, higher corrosion depth, and smaller corrosion pits density. Such results reflected that the DET process between microbiota and Fe (0) metals decided the biocorrosion degree and behavior of Fe (0) metals. This study insightfully elucidates the mechanisms of methanogenic microbiota on corroding steels, in turn providing new insights for anti-corrosion motives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiao Zhuang
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ruixiang Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yuanpeng Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
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2
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Ni L, Wu J, Dang H, Duarte CM, Feng K, Deng Y, Zheng D, Zhang D. Stand age-related effects of mangrove on archaeal methanogenesis in sediments: Community assembly and co-occurrence patterns. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 954:176596. [PMID: 39357754 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 09/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Mangrove sediment is a key source of methane emissions; however, archaea community structure dynamics and methanogenesis activities during long-term mangrove restoration remain unclear. In this study, microcosm incubations revealed a substantial reduction in microbial-mediated methane production potential from mangrove sediments with increasing stand age; methane production rates decreased from 0.42 ng g-1 d-1 in 6-year-old stands to 0.23 ng g-1 d-1 in 64-year-old stands. High-throughput sequencing revealed a reduction in community diversity because of specific microorganism colonization and species loss, notably a decline in the relative abundance of Bathyarchaeia in sediments of 64-year-old stands. In addition, mangrove sediments, especially those in older stands (20- and 64-year-old), had more complex and stable co-occurrence microbial networks than mudflats. Furthermore, archaea community assembly in older stands was dominated by stochastic processes wherein dispersal limitation was prominent, and that in younger stands (6- and 12-year-old) was driven by deterministic processes. The proportion of dispersal limitation of Bathyarchaeia and traditional methanogens in sediment decreased with an increase in stand age. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed a decrease in Bathyarchaeia (from 3.50 to 0.54 copies g-1) and mcrA gene (from 3.83 to 0.25 copies g-1) abundance in mangrove sediments with an increase in stand age. These findings demonstrate the critical role of Bathyarchaeia in methanogenesis; the decline in microbial interactions and abundance, and the reduced proportion of dispersal limitation of Bathyarchaeia and traditional methanogens collectively contributed to the mitigation of microbial-mediated methane production potential in older mangrove stands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfang Ni
- Institute of Marine Biology and Pharmacology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, Zhejiang, China; Donghai Laboratory, Zhoushan 316021, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiaping Wu
- Institute of Marine Biology and Pharmacology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongyue Dang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, and Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kai Feng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ye Deng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Daoqiong Zheng
- Institute of Marine Biology and Pharmacology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, Zhejiang, China; Donghai Laboratory, Zhoushan 316021, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- Institute of Marine Biology and Pharmacology, Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, Zhejiang, China; Donghai Laboratory, Zhoushan 316021, Zhejiang, China.
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3
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Mao TQ, Zhang Y, Ou YF, Li XF, Zheng YL, Liang X, Liu M, Hou LJ, Dong HP. Temperature differentially regulates estuarine microbial N 2O production along a salinity gradient. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 267:122454. [PMID: 39293343 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is atmospheric trace gas that contributes to climate change and affects stratospheric and ground-level ozone concentrations. Ammonia oxidizers and denitrifiers contribute to N2O emissions in estuarine waters. However, as an important climate factor, how temperature regulates microbial N2O production in estuarine water remains unclear. Here, we have employed stable isotope labeling techniques to demonstrate that the N2O production in estuarine waters exhibited differential thermal response patterns between nearshore and offshore regions. The optimal temperatures (Topt) for N2O production rates (N2OR) were higher at nearshore than offshore sites. 15N-labeled nitrite (15NO2-) experiments revealed that at the nearshore sites dominated by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), the thermal tolerance of 15N-N2OR increases with increasing salinity, suggesting that N2O production by AOB-driven nitrifier denitrification may be co-regulated by temperature and salinity. Metatranscriptomic and metagenomic analyses of enriched water samples revealed that the denitrification pathway of AOB is the primary source of N2O, while clade II N2O-reducers dominated N2O consumption. Temperature regulated the expression patterns of nitrite reductase (nirK) and nitrous oxide reductase (nosZ) genes from different sources, thereby influencing N2O emissions in the system. Our findings contribute to understanding the sources of N2O in estuarine waters and their response to global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tie-Qiang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, College of Carbon Neutral Modern Industry, Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Recycling, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Ya-Fei Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yan-Ling Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xia Liang
- 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
| | - Li-Jun Hou
- 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.
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4
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Protasov E, Reeh H, Liu P, Poehlein A, Platt K, Heimerl T, Hervé V, Daniel R, Brune A. Genome reduction in novel, obligately methyl-reducing Methanosarcinales isolated from arthropod guts (Methanolapillus gen. nov. and Methanimicrococcus). FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae111. [PMID: 39108084 PMCID: PMC11362671 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent metagenomic studies have identified numerous lineages of hydrogen-dependent, obligately methyl-reducing methanogens. Yet, only a few representatives have been isolated in pure culture. Here, we describe six new species with this capability in the family Methanosarcinaceae (order Methanosarcinales), which makes up a substantial fraction of the methanogenic community in arthropod guts. Phylogenomic analysis placed the isolates from cockroach hindguts into the genus Methanimicrococcus (M. hacksteinii, M. hongohii, and M. stummii) and the isolates from millipede hindguts into a new genus, Methanolapillus (M. africanus, M. millepedarum, and M. ohkumae). Members of this intestinal clade, which includes also uncultured representatives from termites and vertebrates, have substantially smaller genomes (1.6-2.2 Mbp) than other Methanosarcinales. Genome reduction was accompanied by the loss of the upper part of the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, several energy-converting membrane complexes (Fpo, Ech, and Rnf), and various biosynthetic pathways. However, genes involved in the protection against reactive oxygen species (catalase and superoxide reductase) were conserved in all genomes, including cytochrome bd (CydAB), a high-affinity terminal oxidase that may confer the capacity for microaerobic respiration. Since host-associated Methanosarcinales are nested within omnivorous lineages, we conclude that the specialization on methyl groups is an adaptation to the intestinal environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii Protasov
- Research Group Insect Gut Microbiology and Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Microcosm Earth Center, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Reeh
- Research Group Insect Gut Microbiology and Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Research Group Insect Gut Microbiology and Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Center for Pan-third Pole Environment, Lanzhou University, 730000 Lanzhou, China
| | - Anja Poehlein
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katja Platt
- Research Group Insect Gut Microbiology and Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Heimerl
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Vincent Hervé
- Research Group Insect Gut Microbiology and Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech
, UMR SayFood, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Rolf Daniel
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Brune
- Research Group Insect Gut Microbiology and Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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5
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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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6
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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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7
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Yuan Y, Liu H, Zhang L, Yin W, Li L, Chen T, Li Z, Wang A, Ding C. Intermittent electrostimulation-modified direct interspecies electron transfer for enhanced methanogenesis in anaerobic digestion of sulfate-rich wastewater. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 406:130992. [PMID: 38885726 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Methane recovery and organics removal in sulfate (SO42-)-rich wastewater anaerobic digestion are hindered by electron competition between methanogenesis and sulfidogenesis. Here, intermittently electrostimulated bioelectrodes were developed to facilitate direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET)-driven syntrophic methanogenesis, increasing substrate competition among methanogenic archaea (MA). By optimising the electrochemical environment, MA was able to employ electron transfer more efficiently than sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), resulting in significant methane accumulation (58.1 ± 1.0 mL-CH4/m3reactor) and COD removal (90.5 ± 0.5 %) at lower COD/SO42- ratio. Intermittent electrostimulation improved the metabolic pathway for electroactive bacteria to utilize acetate and direct electrons to electrotrophic MA, decreasing SRB abundance and affecting the sulfate reduction pathway. Intermittently electrostimulated biofilms significantly increased gene levels of key enzymes in electron transport for cytochrome and e-pili biosynthesis, crucial for DIET, demonstrating enhanced DIET-driven syntrophic methanogenesis. This study provides a strategic approach to optimize methanogenesis in sulfate-rich wastewater anaerobic digestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Yuan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China; Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Environmental Protection Equipment, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China
| | - Huan Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China
| | - Wanxin Yin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China; Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Environmental Protection Equipment, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China
| | - Lin Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China
| | - Tianming Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China; Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Environmental Protection Equipment, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China
| | - Zhaoxia Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China; Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Environmental Protection Equipment, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China
| | - Aijie Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Cheng Ding
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China; Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Environmental Protection Equipment, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, PR China.
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8
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Sumner DY. Oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere induced metabolic and ecologic transformations recorded in the Lomagundi-Jatuli carbon isotopic excursion. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0009324. [PMID: 38819147 PMCID: PMC11218651 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00093-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere represents the quintessential transformation of a planetary surface by microbial processes. In turn, atmospheric oxygenation transformed metabolic evolution; molecular clock models indicate the diversification and ecological expansion of respiratory metabolisms in the several hundred million years following atmospheric oxygenation. Across this same interval, the geological record preserves 13C enrichment in some carbonate rocks, called the Lomagundi-Jatuli excursion (LJE). By combining data from geologic and genomic records, a self-consistent metabolic evolution model emerges for the LJE. First, fermentation and methanogenesis were major processes remineralizing organic carbon before atmospheric oxygenation. Once an ozone layer formed, shallow water and exposed environments were shielded from UVB/C radiation, allowing the expansion of cyanobacterial primary productivity. High primary productivity and methanogenesis led to preferential removal of 12C into organic carbon and CH4. Extreme and variable 13C enrichments in carbonates were caused by 13C-depleted CH4 loss to the atmosphere. Through time, aerobic respiration diversified and became ecologically widespread, as did other new metabolisms. Respiration displaced fermentation and methanogenesis as the dominant organic matter remineralization processes. As CH4 loss slowed, dissolved inorganic carbon in shallow environments was no longer highly 13C enriched. Thus, the loss of extreme 13C enrichments in carbonates marks the establishment of a new microbial mat ecosystem structure, one dominated by respiratory processes distributed along steep redox gradients. These gradients allowed the exchange of metabolic by-products among metabolically diverse organisms, providing novel metabolic opportunities. Thus, the microbially induced oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere led to the transformation of microbial ecosystems, an archetypal example of planetary microbiology.IMPORTANCEThe oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere represents the most extensive known chemical transformation of a planetary surface by microbial processes. In turn, atmospheric oxygenation transformed metabolic evolution by providing oxidants independent of the sites of photosynthesis. Thus, the evolutionary changes during this interval and their effects on planetary-scale biogeochemical cycles are fundamental to our understanding of the interdependencies among genomes, organisms, ecosystems, elemental cycles, and Earth's surface chemistry through time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Y. Sumner
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Microbiology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Feminist Research Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
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9
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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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10
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Ou Y, Ren Z, Chen X, Jiang Z, Liu Q, Li X, Zheng Y, Liang X, Liu M, Hou L, Dong H. Global Atlas of Methane Metabolism Marker Genes in Soil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:9261-9271. [PMID: 38739716 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02827] [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: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Methane, a greenhouse gas, plays a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle, influencing the Earth's climate. Only a limited number of microorganisms control the flux of biologically produced methane in nature, including methane-oxidizing bacteria, anaerobic methanotrophic archaea, and methanogenic archaea. Although previous studies have revealed the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of methane-metabolizing microorganisms in local regions by using the marker genes pmoA or mcrA, their biogeographical patterns and environmental drivers remain largely unknown at a global scale. Here, we used 3419 metagenomes generated from georeferenced soil samples to examine the global patterns of methane metabolism marker gene abundances in soil, which generally represent the global distribution of methane-metabolizing microorganisms. The resulting maps revealed notable latitudinal trends in the abundances of methane-metabolizing microorganisms across global soils, with higher abundances in the sub-Arctic, sub-Antarctic, and tropical rainforest regions than in temperate regions. The variations in global abundances of methane-metabolizing microorganisms were primarily governed by vegetation cover. Our high-resolution global maps of methane-metabolizing microorganisms will provide valuable information for the prediction of biogenic methane emissions under current and future climate scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zhongda Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zhenran Jiang
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Qiancai Liu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xiaofei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yanling Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xia Liang
- 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
| | - Lijun Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Hongpo Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
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11
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Mukherjee D, Selvi VA, Ganguly J, Masto RE. New insights into the coal-associated methane architect: the ancient archaebacteria. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:234. [PMID: 38664262 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03961-1] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Exploration and marketable exploitation of coalbed methane (CBM) as cleaner fuel has been started globally. In addition, incidence of methane in coal basins is an imperative fraction of global carbon cycle. Significantly, subsurface coal ecosystem contains methane forming archaea. There is a rising attention in optimizing microbial coal gasification to exploit the abundant or inexpensive coal reserves worldwide. Therefore, it is essential to understand the coalbeds in geo-microbial perspective. Current review provides an in-depth analysis of recent advances in our understanding of how methanoarchaea are distributed in coal deposits globally. Specially, we highlight the findings on coal-associated methanoarchaeal existence, abundance, diversity, metabolic activity, and biogeography in diverse coal basins worldwide. Growing evidences indicates that we have arrived an exciting era of archaeal research. Moreover, gasification of coal into methane by utilizing microbial methanogenesis is a considerable way to mitigate the energy crisis for the rising world population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diptangshu Mukherjee
- Industrial Biotechnology and Waste Utilization Research Group, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Digwadih Campus, PO FRI, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, 828108, India
| | - Vetrivel Angu Selvi
- Industrial Biotechnology and Waste Utilization Research Group, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Digwadih Campus, PO FRI, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, 828108, India.
| | - Jhuma Ganguly
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology Shibpur, PO Botanical Garden, Howrah, West Bengal, 711103, India
| | - Reginald Ebhin Masto
- Industrial Biotechnology and Waste Utilization Research Group, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Digwadih Campus, PO FRI, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, 828108, India
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12
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Zhong ZP, Du J, Köstlbacher S, Pjevac P, Orlić S, Sullivan MB. Viral potential to modulate microbial methane metabolism varies by habitat. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1857. [PMID: 38424049 PMCID: PMC10904782 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46109-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. Microorganisms largely drive the biogeochemical cycling of methane, yet little is known about viral contributions to methane metabolism (MM). We analyzed 982 publicly available metagenomes from host-associated and environmental habitats containing microbial MM genes, expanding the known MM auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) from three to 24, including seven genes exclusive to MM pathways. These AMGs are recovered on 911 viral contigs predicted to infect 14 prokaryotic phyla including Halobacteriota, Methanobacteriota, and Thermoproteota. Of those 24, most were encoded by viruses from rumen (16/24), with substantially fewer by viruses from environmental habitats (0-7/24). To search for additional MM AMGs from an environmental habitat, we generate metagenomes from methane-rich sediments in Vrana Lake, Croatia. Therein, we find diverse viral communities, with most viruses predicted to infect methanogens and methanotrophs and some encoding 13 AMGs that can modulate host metabolisms. However, none of these AMGs directly participate in MM pathways. Together these findings suggest that the extent to which viruses use AMGs to modulate host metabolic processes (e.g., MM) varies depending on the ecological properties of the habitat in which they dwell and is not always predictable by habitat biogeochemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ping Zhong
- Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Center of Microbiome Science, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jingjie Du
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Nutritional Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Stephan Köstlbacher
- Division of Microbial Ecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Doctoral School in Microbiology and Environmental Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Petra Pjevac
- Division of Microbial Ecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandi Orlić
- Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
- Center of Excellence for Science and Technology-Integration of Mediterranean Region, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Matthew B Sullivan
- Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Center of Microbiome Science, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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13
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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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14
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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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15
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Fenibo EO, Selvarajan R, Wang H, Wang Y, Abia ALK. Untapped talents: insight into the ecological significance of methanotrophs and its prospects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166145. [PMID: 37579801 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The deep ocean is a rich reservoir of unique organisms with great potential for bioprospecting, ecosystem services, and the discovery of novel materials. These organisms thrive in harsh environments characterized by high hydrostatic pressure, low temperature, and limited nutrients. Hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, prominent features of the deep ocean, provide a habitat for microorganisms involved in the production and filtration of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Methanotrophs, comprising archaea and bacteria, play a crucial role in these processes. This review examines the intricate relationship between the roles, responses, and niche specialization of methanotrophs in the deep ocean ecosystem. Our findings reveal that different types of methanotrophs dominate specific zones depending on prevailing conditions. Type I methanotrophs thrive in oxygen-rich zones, while Type II methanotrophs display adaptability to diverse conditions. Verrumicrobiota and NC10 flourish in hypoxic and extreme environments. In addition to their essential role in methane regulation, methanotrophs contribute to various ecosystem functions. They participate in the degradation of foreign compounds and play a crucial role in cycling biogeochemical elements like metals, sulfur, and nitrogen. Methanotrophs also serve as a significant energy source for the oceanic food chain and drive chemosynthesis in the deep ocean. Moreover, their presence offers promising prospects for biotechnological applications, including the production of valuable compounds such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, methanobactin, exopolysaccharides, ecotines, methanol, putrescine, and biofuels. In conclusion, this review highlights the multifaceted roles of methanotrophs in the deep ocean ecosystem, underscoring their ecological significance and their potential for advancements in biotechnology. A comprehensive understanding of their niche specialization and responses will contribute to harnessing their full potential in various domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Oliver Fenibo
- World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence, Centre for Oilfield Chemical Research, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt 500272, Nigeria
| | - Ramganesh Selvarajan
- Laboratory of Extraterrestrial Ocean Systems (LEOS), Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Sanya, China; Department of Environmental Science, University of South Africa, Florida Campus, 1710, South Africa
| | - Huiqi Wang
- Laboratory of Extraterrestrial Ocean Systems (LEOS), Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Sanya, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Laboratory of Extraterrestrial Ocean Systems (LEOS), Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Sanya, China
| | - Akebe Luther King Abia
- Environmental Research Foundation, Westville 3630, South Africa; Antimicrobial Research Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
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16
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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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17
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Goldman AD, Weber JM, LaRowe DE, Barge LM. Electron transport chains as a window into the earliest stages of evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2210924120. [PMID: 37579147 PMCID: PMC10451490 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210924120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The origin and early evolution of life is generally studied under two different paradigms: bottom up and top down. Prebiotic chemistry and early Earth geochemistry allow researchers to explore possible origin of life scenarios. But for these "bottom-up" approaches, even successful experiments only amount to a proof of principle. On the other hand, "top-down" research on early evolutionary history is able to provide a historical account about ancient organisms, but is unable to investigate stages that occurred during and just after the origin of life. Here, we consider ancient electron transport chains (ETCs) as a potential bridge between early evolutionary history and a protocellular stage that preceded it. Current phylogenetic evidence suggests that ancestors of several extant ETC components were present at least as late as the last universal common ancestor of life. In addition, recent experiments have shown that some aspects of modern ETCs can be replicated by minerals, protocells, or organic cofactors in the absence of biological proteins. Here, we discuss the diversity of ETCs and other forms of chemiosmotic energy conservation, describe current work on the early evolution of membrane bioenergetics, and advocate for several lines of research to enhance this understanding by pairing top-down and bottom-up approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron D. Goldman
- Department of Biology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH44074
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA98154
| | - Jessica M. Weber
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA91109
| | - Douglas E. LaRowe
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90089
| | - Laura M. Barge
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA98154
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA91109
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18
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Wang J, Qu YN, Evans PN, Guo Q, Zhou F, Nie M, Jin Q, Zhang Y, Zhai X, Zhou M, Yu Z, Fu QL, Xie YG, Hedlund BP, Li WJ, Hua ZS, Wang Z, Wang Y. Evidence for nontraditional mcr-containing archaea contributing to biological methanogenesis in geothermal springs. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg6004. [PMID: 37379385 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg6004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Recent discoveries of methyl-coenzyme M reductase-encoding genes (mcr) in uncultured archaea beyond traditional euryarchaeotal methanogens have reshaped our view of methanogenesis. However, whether any of these nontraditional archaea perform methanogenesis remains elusive. Here, we report field and microcosm experiments based on 13C-tracer labeling and genome-resolved metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, revealing that nontraditional archaea are predominant active methane producers in two geothermal springs. Archaeoglobales performed methanogenesis from methanol and may exhibit adaptability in using methylotrophic and hydrogenotrophic pathways based on temperature/substrate availability. A five-year field survey found Candidatus Nezhaarchaeota to be the predominant mcr-containing archaea inhabiting the springs; genomic inference and mcr expression under methanogenic conditions strongly suggested that this lineage mediated hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis in situ. Methanogenesis was temperature-sensitive , with a preference for methylotrophic over hydrogenotrophic pathways when incubation temperatures increased from 65° to 75°C. This study demonstrates an anoxic ecosystem wherein methanogenesis is primarily driven by archaea beyond known methanogens, highlighting diverse nontraditional mcr-containing archaea as previously unrecognized methane sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yan-Ni Qu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Paul N Evans
- The Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Qinghai Guo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
| | - Fengwu Zhou
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- College of Geography Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ming Nie
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qusheng Jin
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xiangmei Zhai
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhiguo Yu
- School of Hydrology and Water Resources, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Qing-Long Fu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
| | - Yuan-Guo Xie
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Brian P Hedlund
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Wen-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zheng-Shuang Hua
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Zimeng Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanxin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
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Zhang JW, Wang R, Liang X, Han P, Zheng YL, Li XF, Gao DZ, Liu M, Hou LJ, Dong HP. Novel Gene Clusters for Natural Product Synthesis Are Abundant in the Mangrove Swamp Microbiome. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0010223. [PMID: 37191511 PMCID: PMC10304795 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00102-23] [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] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural microbial communities produce a diverse array of secondary metabolites with ecologically and biotechnologically relevant activities. Some of them have been used clinically as drugs, and their production pathways have been identified in a few culturable microorganisms. However, since the vast majority of microorganisms in nature have not been cultured, identifying the synthetic pathways of these metabolites and tracking their hosts remain a challenge. The microbial biosynthetic potential of mangrove swamps remains largely unknown. Here, we examined the diversity and novelty of biosynthetic gene clusters in dominant microbial populations in mangrove wetlands by mining 809 newly reconstructed draft genomes and probing the activities and products of these clusters by using metatranscriptomic and metabolomic techniques. A total of 3,740 biosynthetic gene clusters were identified from these genomes, including 1,065 polyketide and nonribosomal peptide gene clusters, 86% of which showed no similarity to known clusters in the Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene Cluster (MIBiG) repository. Of these gene clusters, 59% were harbored by new species or lineages of Desulfobacterota-related phyla and Chloroflexota, whose members are highly abundant in mangrove wetlands and for which few synthetic natural products have been reported. Metatranscriptomics revealed that most of the identified gene clusters were active in field and microcosm samples. Untargeted metabolomics was also used to identify metabolites from the sediment enrichments, and 98% of the mass spectra generated were unrecognizable, further supporting the novelty of these biosynthetic gene clusters. Our study taps into a corner of the microbial metabolite reservoir in mangrove swamps, providing clues for the discovery of new compounds with valuable activities. IMPORTANCE At present, the majority of known clinical drugs originated from cultivated species of a few bacterial lineages. It is vital for the development of new pharmaceuticals to explore the biosynthetic potential of naturally uncultivable microorganisms using new techniques. Based on the large numbers of genomes reconstructed from mangrove wetlands, we identified abundant and diverse biosynthetic gene clusters in previously unsuspected phylogenetic groups. These gene clusters exhibited a variety of organizational architectures, especially for nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS), implying the presence of new compounds with valuable activities in the mangrove swamp microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ran Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xia Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Han
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Ling Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Deng-Zhou Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Jun Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Po Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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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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Zhang X, Zhang C, Liu Y, Zhang R, Li M. Non-negligible roles of archaea in coastal carbon biogeochemical cycling. Trends Microbiol 2022; 31:586-600. [PMID: 36567186 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Coastal zones are among the world's most productive ecosystems. They store vast amounts of organic carbon, as 'blue carbon' reservoirs, and impact global climate change. Archaeal communities are integral components of coastal microbiomes but their ecological roles are often overlooked. However, archaeal diversity, metabolism, evolution, and interactions, revealed by recent studies using rapidly developing cutting-edge technologies, place archaea as important players in coastal carbon biogeochemical cycling. We here summarize the latest advances in the understanding of archaeal carbon cycling processes in coastal ecosystems, specifically, archaeal involvement in CO2 fixation, organic biopolymer transformation, and methane metabolism. We also showcase the potential to use of archaeal communities to increase carbon sequestration and reduce methane production, with implications for mitigating climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxu Zhang
- 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
| | - Cuijing Zhang
- 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
| | - Yang Liu
- 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
| | - Rui Zhang
- 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
| | - 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.
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