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Antony R, Mongad D, Sanyal A, Dhotre D, Thamban M. Holed up, but thriving: Impact of multitrophic cryoconite communities on glacier elemental cycles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 933:173187. [PMID: 38750762 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173187] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Cryoconite holes (water and sediment-filled depressions), found on glacier surfaces worldwide, serve as reservoirs of microbes, carbon, trace elements, and nutrients, transferring these components downstream via glacier hydrological networks. Through targeted amplicon sequencing of carbon and nitrogen cycling genes, coupled with functional inference-based methods, we explore the functional diversity of these mini-ecosystems within Antarctica and the Himalayas. These regions showcase distinct environmental gradients and experience varying rates of environmental change influenced by global climatic shifts. Analysis revealed a diverse array of photosynthetic microorganisms, including Stramenopiles, Cyanobacteria, Rhizobiales, Burkholderiales, and photosynthetic purple sulfur Proteobacteria. Functional inference highlighted the high potential for carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism in the Himalayan region, where organic carbon concentrations surpassed those in Antarctica by up to 2 orders of magnitude. Nitrogen cycling processes, including fixation, nitrification, and denitrification, are evident, with Antarctic cryoconite exhibiting a pronounced capacity for nitrogen fixation, potentially compensating for the limited nitrate concentrations in this region. Processes associated with the respiration of elemental sulfur and inorganic sulfur compounds such as sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, and sulfide suggest the presence of a complete sulfur cycle. The Himalayan region exhibits a higher potential for sulfur cycling, likely due to the abundant sulfate ions and sulfur-bearing minerals in this region. The capability for complete iron cycling through iron oxidation and reduction reactions was also predicted. Methanogenic archaea that produce methane during organic matter decomposition and methanotrophic bacteria that utilize methane as carbon and energy sources co-exist in the cryoconite, suggesting that these niches support the complete cycling of methane. Additionally, the presence of various microfauna suggests the existence of a complex food web. Collectively, these results indicate that cryoconite holes are self-sustaining ecosystems that drive elemental cycles on glaciers and potentially control carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and iron exports downstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runa Antony
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Vasco-da-Gama, India; GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Dattatray Mongad
- National Centre for Microbial Resource, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
| | - Aritri Sanyal
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Vasco-da-Gama, India
| | - Dhiraj Dhotre
- National Centre for Microbial Resource, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India
| | - Meloth Thamban
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Vasco-da-Gama, India
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Miralles-Robledillo JM, Martínez-Espinosa RM, Pire C. Transcriptomic profiling of haloarchaeal denitrification through RNA-Seq analysis. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0057124. [PMID: 38814058 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00571-24] [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: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Denitrification, a crucial biochemical pathway prevalent among haloarchaea in hypersaline ecosystems, has garnered considerable attention in recent years due to its ecological implications. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanisms and genetic regulation governing this respiration/detoxification process in haloarchaea remain largely unexplored. In this study, RNA-sequencing was used to compare the transcriptomes of the haloarchaeon Haloferax mediterranei under oxic and denitrifying conditions, shedding light on the intricate metabolic alterations occurring within the cell, such as the accurate control of the metal homeostasis. Furthermore, the investigation identifies several genes encoding transcriptional regulators and potential accessory proteins with putative roles in denitrification. Among these are bacterioopsin-like transcriptional activators, proteins harboring a domain of unknown function (DUF2249), and cyanoglobin. In addition, the study delves into the genetic regulation of denitrification, finding a regulatory motif within promoter regions that activates numerous denitrification-related genes. This research serves as a starting point for future molecular biology studies in haloarchaea, offering a promising avenue to unravel the intricate mechanisms governing haloarchaeal denitrification, a pathway of paramount ecological importance.IMPORTANCEDenitrification, a fundamental process within the nitrogen cycle, has been subject to extensive investigation due to its close association with anthropogenic activities, and its contribution to the global warming issue, mainly through the release of N2O emissions. Although our comprehension of denitrification and its implications is generally well established, most studies have been conducted in non-extreme environments with mesophilic microorganisms. Consequently, there is a significant knowledge gap concerning extremophilic denitrifiers, particularly those inhabiting hypersaline environments. The significance of this research was to delve into the process of haloarchaeal denitrification, utilizing the complete denitrifier haloarchaeon Haloferax mediterranei as a model organism. This research led to the analysis of the metabolic state of this microorganism under denitrifying conditions and the identification of regulatory signals and genes encoding proteins potentially involved in this pathway, serving as a valuable resource for future molecular studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose María Miralles-Robledillo
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, Universitat d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, Universitat d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies "Ramón Margalef", University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Carmen Pire
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, Universitat d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies "Ramón Margalef", University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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Doménech-Pascual A, Carrasco-Barea L, Gich F, Boadella J, Freixinos Campillo Z, Gómez Cerezo R, Butturini A, Romaní AM. Differential response of bacteria and fungi to drought on the decomposition of Sarcocornia fruticosa woody stems in a saline stream. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16661. [PMID: 38849711 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16661] [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: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Inland saline ecosystems suffer multiple stresses (e.g., high radiation, salinity, water scarcity) that may compromise essential ecosystem functions such as organic matter decomposition. Here, we investigated the effects of drought on microbial colonization and decomposition of Sarcocornia fruticosa woody stems across different habitats in a saline watershed: on the dry floodplain, submerged in the stream channel and at the shoreline (first submerged, then emerged). Unexpectedly, weight loss was not enhanced in the submerged stems, while decomposition process differed between habitats. On the floodplain, it was dominated by fungi and high cellulolytic activity; in submerged conditions, a diverse community of bacteria and high ligninolytic activity dominated; and, on the shoreline, enzyme activities were like submerged conditions, but with a fungal community similar to the dry conditions. Results indicate distinct degradation paths being driven by different stress factors: strong water scarcity and photodegradation in dry conditions, and high salinity and reduced oxygen in wet conditions. This suggests that fungi are more resistant to drought, and bacteria to salinity. Overall, in saline watersheds, variations in multiple stress factors exert distinct environmental filters on bacteria and fungi and their role in the decomposition of plant material, affecting carbon cycling and microbial interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lorena Carrasco-Barea
- Plant Physiology Unit, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Frederic Gich
- Molecular Microbial Ecology Group (gEMM-IEA), Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Judit Boadella
- GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | | | - Rosa Gómez Cerezo
- Department of Ecology and Hydrology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Andrea Butturini
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna M Romaní
- GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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Feng Y, Arsenault D, Louyakis AS, Altman-Price N, Gophna U, Papke RT, Gogarten JP. Using the pan-genomic framework for the discovery of genomic islands in the haloarchaeon Halorubrum ezzemoulense. mBio 2024; 15:e0040824. [PMID: 38619241 PMCID: PMC11078007 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00408-24] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we use pan-genomics to characterize the genomic variability of the widely dispersed halophilic archaeal species Halorubrum ezzemoulense (Hez). We include a multi-regional sampling of newly sequenced, high-quality draft genomes. The pan-genome graph of the species reveals 50 genomic islands that represent rare accessory genetic capabilities available to members. Most notably, we observe rearrangements that have led to the insertion/recombination/replacement of mutually exclusive genomic islands in equivalent genome positions ("homeocassettes"). These conflicting islands encode for similar functions, but homologs from islands located between the same core genes exhibit high divergence on the amino acid level, while the neighboring core genes are nearly identical. Both islands of a homeocassette often coexist in the same geographic location, suggesting that either island may be beyond the reach of selective sweeps and that these loci of divergence between Hez members are maintained and persist long term. This implies that subsections of the population have different niche preferences and rare metabolic capabilities. After an evaluation of the gene content in the homeocassettes, we speculate that these islands may play a role in the speciation, niche adaptability, and group selection dynamics in Hez. Though homeocassettes are first described in this study, similar replacements and divergence of genes on genomic islands have been previously reported in other Haloarchaea and distantly related Archaea, suggesting that homeocassettes may be a feature in a wide range of organisms outside of Hez.IMPORTANCEThis study catalogs the rare genes discovered in strains of the species Halorubrum ezzemoulense (Hez), an obligate halophilic archaeon, through the perspective of its pan-genome. These rare genes are often found to be arranged on islands that confer metabolic and transport functions and contain genes that have eluded previous studies. The discovery of divergent, but homologous islands occupying equivalent genome positions ("homeocassettes") in different genomes, reveals significant new information on genome evolution in Hez. Homeocassette pairs encode for similar functions, but their dissimilarity and distribution imply high rates of recombination, different specializations, and niche preferences in Hez. The coexistence of both islands of a homeocassette pair in multiple environments demonstrates that both islands are beyond the reach of selective sweeps and that these genome content differences between strains persist long term. The switch between islands through recombination under different environmental conditions may lead to a greater range of niche adaptability in Hez.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Feng
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Danielle Arsenault
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Artemis S. Louyakis
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Neta Altman-Price
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Avinoam Adam Department of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Israel, Raanana, Israel
| | - Uri Gophna
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - R. Thane Papke
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Johann Peter Gogarten
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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Wang Y, Li W, Bao G, Bai M, Ye H. Differences in archaeal diversity and potential ecological functions between saline and hypersaline lakes on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were driven by multiple environmental and non-environmental factors beyond the salinity. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:153. [PMID: 38704527 PMCID: PMC11069230 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03307-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Saline lakes are home to various archaea that play special and crucial roles in the global biogeochemical cycle. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau hosts a large number of lakes with diverse salinity ranging from 0.1 to over 400 g/L, harboring complex and diverse archaea. To the best of our knowledge, the formation mechanisms and potential ecological roles of archaea in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau saline lakes remain largely unknown. RESULTS Using High-throughput Illumina sequencing, we uncovered the vastly distinct archaea communities between two typical saline lakes with significant salinity differences on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau (Qinghai saline lake and Chaka hypersaline lake) and suggested archaea played different important roles in methanogenesis-related and nitrate reduction-related functions of these two lakes, respectively. Rather than the individual effect of salinity, the composite effect of salinity with diverse environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, chlorophyll a, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus) dominated the explanation of the variations in archaeal community structure in different habitats. Based on the network analysis, we further found the correlations between dominant archaeal OTUs were tight but significantly different between the two habitats, implying that archaeal interactions may also largely determine the shape of archaeal communities. CONCLUSION The present study improved our understanding of the structure and function of archaea in different saline lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and provided a new perspective on the mechanisms underlying shaping their communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqiong Wang
- School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Bayi Road, Xining, 810007, Qinghai, China
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of High-Value Utilization of Characteristic Economic Plants, Xining, 810007, China
- Qinghai Provincial Biotechnology and Analytical Test Key Laboratory, Xining, 810007, China
| | - Wenxin Li
- School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Bayi Road, Xining, 810007, Qinghai, China
| | - Guoyuan Bao
- School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Qinghai Minzu University, Bayi Road, Xining, 810007, Qinghai, China
| | - Mohan Bai
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs / Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, MARA / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Tianjin, 300191, China.
| | - Huike Ye
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs / Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, MARA / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Tianjin, 300191, China.
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6
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Zhang G, Bai J, Zhai Y, Jia J, Zhao Q, Wang W, Hu X. Microbial diversity and functions in saline soils: A review from a biogeochemical perspective. J Adv Res 2024; 59:129-140. [PMID: 37392974 PMCID: PMC11081963 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soil salinization threatens food security and ecosystem health, and is one of the important drivers to the degradation of many ecosystems around the world. Soil microorganisms have extremely high diversity and participate in a variety of key ecological processes. They are important guarantees for soil health and sustainable ecosystem development. However, our understanding of the diversity and function of soil microorganisms under the change of increased soil salinization is fragmented. AIM OF REVIEW Here, we summarize the changes in soil microbial diversity and function under the influence of soil salinization in diverse natural ecosystems. We particularly focus on the diversity of soil bacteria and fungi under salt stress and the changes in their emerging functions (such as their mediated biogeochemical processes). This study also discusses how to use the soil microbiome in saline soils to deal with soil salinization for supporting sustainable ecosystems, and puts forward the knowledge gaps and the research directions that need to be strengthened in the future. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW Due to the rapid development of molecular-based biotechnology (especially high-throughput sequencing technology), the diversity and community composition and functional genes of soil microorganisms have been extensively characterized in different habitats. Clarifying the responding pattern of microbial-mediated nutrient cycling under salt stress and developing and utilizing microorganisms to weaken the adverse effects of salt stress on plants and soil, which are of guiding significance for agricultural production and ecosystem management in saline lands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangliang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China; Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, PR China
| | - Junhong Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China.
| | - Yujia Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Jia Jia
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment Protection and Restoration of Yellow River Basin, Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, Zhengzhou 45003, PR China
| | - Qingqing Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Ecology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Ji'nan 250103, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Xingyun Hu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Subtropical Resources and Environment, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, PR China
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Zhao L, Cunningham CM, Andruska AM, Schimmel K, Ali MK, Kim D, Gu S, Chang JL, Spiekerkoetter E, Nicolls MR. Rat microbial biogeography and age-dependent lactic acid bacteria in healthy lungs. Lab Anim (NY) 2024; 53:43-55. [PMID: 38297075 PMCID: PMC10834367 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-023-01322-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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The laboratory rat emerges as a useful tool for studying the interaction between the host and its microbiome. To advance principles relevant to the human microbiome, we systematically investigated and defined the multitissue microbial biogeography of healthy Fischer 344 rats across their lifespan. Microbial community profiling data were extracted and integrated with host transcriptomic data from the Sequencing Quality Control consortium. Unsupervised machine learning, correlation, taxonomic diversity and abundance analyses were performed to determine and characterize the rat microbial biogeography and identify four intertissue microbial heterogeneity patterns (P1-P4). We found that the 11 body habitats harbored a greater diversity of microbes than previously suspected. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) abundance progressively declined in lungs from breastfed newborn to adolescence/adult, and was below detectable levels in elderly rats. Bioinformatics analyses indicate that the abundance of LAB may be modulated by the lung-immune axis. The presence and levels of LAB in lungs were further evaluated by PCR in two validation datasets. The lung, testes, thymus, kidney, adrenal and muscle niches were found to have age-dependent alterations in microbial abundance. The 357 microbial signatures were positively correlated with host genes in cell proliferation (P1), DNA damage repair (P2) and DNA transcription (P3). Our study established a link between the metabolic properties of LAB with lung microbiota maturation and development. Breastfeeding and environmental exposure influence microbiome composition and host health and longevity. The inferred rat microbial biogeography and pattern-specific microbial signatures could be useful for microbiome therapeutic approaches to human health and life quality enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Christine M Cunningham
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Adam M Andruska
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katharina Schimmel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Md Khadem Ali
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Dongeon Kim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shenbiao Gu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jason L Chang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Edda Spiekerkoetter
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mark R Nicolls
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
- Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Wang S, Narsing Rao MP, Quadri SR. Assessing the metabolism, phylogenomic, and taxonomic classification of the halophilic genus Halarchaeum. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2024; 371:fnae001. [PMID: 38192037 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnae001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, a genomic approach was employed to evaluate the metabolic potentials and taxonomic classification of the halophilic genus Halarchaeum. Genomic analysis revealed that Halarchaeum members exhibit a predilection for amino acids as their primary energy source in high-salinity environments over carbohydrates. Genome analysis unveiled the presence of crucial genes associated with metabolic pathways, including the Embden-Meyerhof pathway, semi-phosphorylative Entner-Doudoroff pathway, and the urea cycle. Furthermore, the genomic analysis indicated that Halarchaeum members employ diverse mechanisms for osmotic regulation (encompassing both salt-in and salt-out strategies). Halarchaeum members also encode genes to alleviate acid and heat stress. The average nucleotide identity value between Halarchaeum solikamskense and Halarchaeum nitratireducens exceeded the established threshold (95%-96%) for defining distinct species. This high similarity suggests a close relationship between these two species, prompting the proposal to reclassify Halarchaeum solikamskense as a heterotypic synonym of Halarchaeum nitratireducens. The results of this study contribute to our knowledge of taxonomic classification and shed light on the adaptive strategies employed by Halarchaeum species in their specific ecological niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wang
- Heilongjiang Academy of Black Soil Conservation and Utilization/Heilongjiang Black Soil Conservation Engineering and Technology Research Center, Harbin 150086, People's Republic of China
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Manik Prabhu Narsing Rao
- Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Sede Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile
| | - Syed Raziuddin Quadri
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Northern Border University, Arar-91431 Northern Borders, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Wang L, Lian C, Wan W, Qiu Z, Luo X, Huang Q, Deng Y, Zhang T, Yu K. Salinity-triggered homogeneous selection constrains the microbial function and stability in lakes. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:6591-6605. [PMID: 37688597 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12696-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and anthropogenic exploitation have led to the gradual salinization of inland waters worldwide. However, the impacts of this process on the prokaryotic plankton communities and their role in biogeochemical cycles in the inland lake are poorly known. Here, we take a space-for-time substitution approach, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. We analyzed the prokaryotic plankton communities of 11 lakes in northwest China, with average water salinities ranging from 0.002 to 14.370%. The results demonstrated that, among the various environmental parameters, salinity was the most important driver of prokaryotic plankton β-diversity (Mantel test, r = 0.53, P < 0.001). (1) Under low salinity, prokaryotic planktons were assembled by stochastic processes and employed diverse halotolerant strategies, including the synthesis and uptake of compatible solutes and extrusion of Na+ or Li+ in exchange for H+. Under elevated salinity pressure, strong homogeneous selection meant that only planktonic prokaryotes showing an energetically favorable halotolerant strategy employing an Mnh-type Na+/H+ antiporter remained. (2) The decreasing taxonomic diversity caused by intense environmental filtering in high-salinity lakes impaired functional diversity related to substance metabolism. The prokaryotes enhanced the TCA cycle, carbon fixation, and low-energy-consumption amino acid biosynthesis in high-salinity lakes. (3) Elevated salinity pressure decreased the negative:positive cohesion and the modularity of the molecular ecology networks for the planktonic prokaryotes, indicating a precarious microbial network. Our findings provide new insights into plankton ecology and are helpful for the protecting of the biodiversity and function of inland lakes against the background of salinization. KEY POINTS: • Increased salinity enhances homogeneous selection in the microbial assembly. • Elevated salinity decreases the microbial co-occurrence networks stability. • High salinity damages the microbial function diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chunang Lian
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Wenjie Wan
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Zhiguang Qiu
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xuesong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), Ministry of ·Agriculture, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Qiaoyun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), Ministry of ·Agriculture, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Ye Deng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Ke Yu
- School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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10
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Butterworth SJ, Barton F, Lloyd JR. Extremophilic microbial metabolism and radioactive waste disposal. Extremophiles 2023; 27:27. [PMID: 37839067 PMCID: PMC10577106 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-023-01312-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Decades of nuclear activities have left a legacy of hazardous radioactive waste, which must be isolated from the biosphere for over 100,000 years. The preferred option for safe waste disposal is a deep subsurface geological disposal facility (GDF). Due to the very long geological timescales required, and the complexity of materials to be disposed of (including a wide range of nutrients and electron donors/acceptors) microbial activity will likely play a pivotal role in the safe operation of these mega-facilities. A GDF environment provides many metabolic challenges to microbes that may inhabit the facility, including high temperature, pressure, radiation, alkalinity, and salinity, depending on the specific disposal concept employed. However, as our understanding of the boundaries of life is continuously challenged and expanded by the discovery of novel extremophiles in Earth's most inhospitable environments, it is becoming clear that microorganisms must be considered in GDF safety cases to ensure accurate predictions of long-term performance. This review explores extremophilic adaptations and how this knowledge can be applied to challenge our current assumptions on microbial activity in GDF environments. We conclude that regardless of concept, a GDF will consist of multiple extremes and it is of high importance to understand the limits of polyextremophiles under realistic environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jane Butterworth
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Franky Barton
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Jonathan Richard Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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11
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La Cono V, Messina E, Reva O, Smedile F, La Spada G, Crisafi F, Marturano L, Miguez N, Ferrer M, Selivanova EA, Golyshina OV, Golyshin PN, Rohde M, Krupovic M, Merkel AY, Sorokin DY, Hallsworth JE, Yakimov MM. Nanohaloarchaea as beneficiaries of xylan degradation by haloarchaea. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1803-1822. [PMID: 37317055 PMCID: PMC10443357 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14272] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change, desertification, salinisation of soils and the changing hydrology of the Earth are creating or modifying microbial habitats at all scales including the oceans, saline groundwaters and brine lakes. In environments that are saline or hypersaline, the biodegradation of recalcitrant plant and animal polysaccharides can be inhibited by salt-induced microbial stress and/or by limitation of the metabolic capabilities of halophilic microbes. We recently demonstrated that the chitinolytic haloarchaeon Halomicrobium can serve as the host for an ectosymbiont, nanohaloarchaeon 'Candidatus Nanohalobium constans'. Here, we consider whether nanohaloarchaea can benefit from the haloarchaea-mediated degradation of xylan, a major hemicellulose component of wood. Using samples of natural evaporitic brines and anthropogenic solar salterns, we describe genome-inferred trophic relations in two extremely halophilic xylan-degrading three-member consortia. We succeeded in genome assembly and closure for all members of both xylan-degrading cultures and elucidated the respective food chains within these consortia. We provide evidence that ectosymbiontic nanohaloarchaea is an active ecophysiological component of extremely halophilic xylan-degrading communities (although by proxy) in hypersaline environments. In each consortium, nanohaloarchaea occur as ectosymbionts of Haloferax, which in turn act as scavenger of oligosaccharides produced by xylan-hydrolysing Halorhabdus. We further obtained and characterised the nanohaloarchaea-host associations using microscopy, multi-omics and cultivation approaches. The current study also doubled culturable nanohaloarchaeal symbionts and demonstrated that these enigmatic nano-sized archaea can be readily isolated in binary co-cultures using an appropriate enrichment strategy. We discuss the implications of xylan degradation by halophiles in biotechnology and for the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Oleg Reva
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational BiologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | | | | | | | | | - Noa Miguez
- Instituto de Catalisis y Petroleoquimica (ICP), CSICMadridSpain
| | - Manuel Ferrer
- Instituto de Catalisis y Petroleoquimica (ICP), CSICMadridSpain
| | - Elena A. Selivanova
- Institute for Cellular and Intracellular SymbiosisUral Branch, Russian Academy of SciencesOrenburgRussia
| | | | | | - Manfred Rohde
- Central Facility for MicrobiologyHelmholtz Centre for Infection ResearchBraunschweigGermany
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Institut PasteurUniversité Paris Cité, Archaeal Virology UnitParisFrance
| | - Alexander Y. Merkel
- Winogradsky Institute of MicrobiologyResearch Centre of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
| | - Dimitry Y. Sorokin
- Winogradsky Institute of MicrobiologyResearch Centre of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
- Department of BiotechnologyDelft University of TechnologyDelftThe Netherlands
| | - John E. Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastNorthern IrelandUK
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Kim YB, Whon TW, Kim JY, Kim J, Kim Y, Lee SH, Park SE, Kim EJ, Son HS, Roh SW. In-depth metataxonomic investigation reveals low richness, high intervariability, and diverse phylotype candidates of archaea in the human urogenital tract. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11746. [PMID: 37474649 PMCID: PMC10359320 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38710-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The urogenital microbiota is the potential principal factor in the pathophysiology of urinary tract infection and the protection of urinary tract health. Little is known about the urogenital archaeome although several reports have indicated that the archaeomes of various regions of the human body are associated with health. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the presence and diversity of archaeomes in the human urogenital tract. To explore the urogenital archaeome, voided urine specimens from 373 asymptomatic Korean individuals were used. No difference was observed in body mass index, age, or gender, according to presence of archaea. Analysis of archaeal 16S rRNA gene amplicons of archaea positive samples consisted of simple community structures, including diverse archaea, such as the phyla Methanobacteriota, Thermoproteota, and Halobacteriota. Asymptomatic individuals showed high participant-dependent intervariability in their urogenital archaeomes. The mean relative archaeal abundance was estimated to be 0.89%, and fluorescence in situ hybridisation micrographs provided evidence of archaeal cells in the human urogenital tract. In addition, the urogenital archaeome shared partial taxonomic compositional characteristics with those of the other body sites. In this study, Methanobacteriota, Thermoproteota, and Halobacteriota were suggested as inhabitants of the human urogenital tract, and a distinct human urogenital archaeome was characterised. These findings expand our knowledge of archaea-host associations in the human urogenital tract and may lead to novel insights into the role of archaea in urinary tract health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Bee Kim
- Kimchi Functionality Research Group, World Institute of Kimchi, Gwangju, 61755, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Agricultural Genomics, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Woong Whon
- Kimchi Functionality Research Group, World Institute of Kimchi, Gwangju, 61755, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Yong Kim
- Microbiome Research Team, LISCure Biosciences Inc, Gyeonggi-do, 13486, Republic of Korea
| | - Juseok Kim
- Microbiome Research Team, LISCure Biosciences Inc, Gyeonggi-do, 13486, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Kim
- Kimchi Functionality Research Group, World Institute of Kimchi, Gwangju, 61755, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Hee Lee
- Kimchi Functionality Research Group, World Institute of Kimchi, Gwangju, 61755, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Eun Park
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Ju Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Seok Son
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seong Woon Roh
- Microbiome Research Team, LISCure Biosciences Inc, Gyeonggi-do, 13486, Republic of Korea.
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13
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Zhao L, Cunningham CM, Andruska AM, Schimmel K, Ali MK, Kim D, Gu S, Chang JL, Spiekerkoetter E, Nicolls MR. Rat microbial biogeography and age-dependent lactic acid bacteria in healthy lungs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.19.541527. [PMID: 37293045 PMCID: PMC10245737 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.19.541527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The laboratory rat emerges as a useful tool for studying the interaction between the host and its microbiome. To advance principles relevant to the human microbiome, we systematically investigated and defined a multi-tissue full lifespan microbial biogeography for healthy Fischer 344 rats. Microbial community profiling data was extracted and integrated with host transcriptomic data from the Sequencing Quality Control (SEQC) consortium. Unsupervised machine learning, Spearman's correlation, taxonomic diversity, and abundance analyses were performed to determine and characterize the rat microbial biogeography and the identification of four inter-tissue microbial heterogeneity patterns (P1-P4). The 11 body habitats harbor a greater diversity of microbes than previously suspected. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) abundances progressively declined in lungs from breastfeed newborn to adolescence/adult and was below detectable levels in elderly rats. LAB's presence and levels in lungs were further evaluated by PCR in the two validation datasets. The lung, testes, thymus, kidney, adrenal, and muscle niches were found to have age-dependent alterations in microbial abundance. P1 is dominated by lung samples. P2 contains the largest sample size and is enriched for environmental species. Liver and muscle samples were mostly classified into P3. Archaea species were exclusively enriched in P4. The 357 pattern-specific microbial signatures were positively correlated with host genes in cell migration and proliferation (P1), DNA damage repair and synaptic transmissions (P2), as well as DNA transcription and cell cycle in P3. Our study established a link between metabolic properties of LAB with lung microbiota maturation and development. Breastfeeding and environmental exposure influence microbiome composition and host health and longevity. The inferred rat microbial biogeography and pattern-specific microbial signatures would be useful for microbiome therapeutic approaches to human health and good quality of life.
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Zhang S, Chen F, Ke J, Hao Y, Pan R, Hong T, Dai Y, Chen S. Hly176B, a low-salt tolerant halolysin from the haloarchaeon Haloarchaeobius sp. FL176. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:189. [PMID: 37157004 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03632-1] [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: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular proteases of haloarchaea can adapt to high concentrations of NaCl and can find useful applications in industrial or biotechnology processes where hypersaline conditions are desired. The diversity of extracellular proteases produced by haloarchaea is largely unknown though the genomes of many species have been sequenced and are publicly available. In this study, a gene encoding the extracellular protease Hly176B from the haloarchaeon Haloarchaeobius sp. FL176 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. A related gene homolog to hly176B, hly176A, from the same strain was also expressed in E.coli, but did not show any proteinase activity after the same renaturation process. Therefore, we focus on the enzymatic properties of the Hly176B. The catalytic triad Asp-His-Ser was confirmed via site-directed mutagenesis, indicating that Hly176B belongs to the class of serine proteases (halolysin). Unlike previously reported extracellular proteases from haloarchaea, the Hly176B remained active for a relatively long time in an almost salt-free solution. In addition, the Hly176B displayed prominent tolerance to some metal ions, surfactants and organic solvents, and exerts its highest enzyme activity at 40 °C, pH 8.0 and 0.5 M NaCl. Therefore, this study enriches our knowledge of extracellular proteases and expands their applications for various industrial uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenao Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Feilong Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
- Anhui Jiaotianxiang Biological Technology Co., Ltd, Xuancheng, 242000, China
| | - Juntao Ke
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Yuling Hao
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Ruru Pan
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Tao Hong
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Yongpei Dai
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Shaoxing Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10010, China.
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15
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Hassani II, Quadri I, Yadav A, Bouchard S, Raoult D, Hacène H, Desnues C. Assessment of diversity of archaeal communities in Algerian chott. Extremophiles 2023; 27:2. [PMID: 36469177 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-022-01287-8] [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: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Halophilic archaea are the dominant type of microorganisms in hypersaline environments. The diversity of halophilic archaea in Zehrez-Chergui (Saharian chott) was analyzed and compared by both analysis of a library of PCR amplified 16S rRNA genes and by cultivation approach. This work, represents the first of its type in Algeria. A total cell count was estimated at 3.8 × 103 CFU/g. The morphological, biochemical, and physiological characterizations of 45 distinct strains, suggests that all of them might be members of the class Halobacteria. Among stains, 23 were characterized phylogenetically and are related to 6 genera of halophilic archaea.The dominance of the genus Halopiger, has not been reported yet in other hypersaline environments. The 100 clones obtained by the molecular approach, were sequenced, and analyzed. The ribosomal library of 61 OTUs showed that the archaeal diversity included uncultured haloarcheon, Halomicrobium, Natronomonas, Halomicroarcula, Halapricum, Haloarcula, Halosimplex, Haloterrigena, Halolamina, Halorubellus, Halorussus and Halonotius. The results of rarefaction analysis indicated that the analysis of an increasing number of clones would have revealed additional diversity. Surprisingly, no halophilic archaea were not shared between the two approaches. Combining both types of methods was considered the best approach to acquire better information on the characteristics of soil halophilic archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imene Ikram Hassani
- Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Biologie, USTHB Université, Bab Ezzouar, Algeria.
| | - Inès Quadri
- Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Biologie, USTHB Université, Bab Ezzouar, Algeria
| | - Archana Yadav
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Sonia Bouchard
- Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS7278, IRD 198, Inserm U1095, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS7278, IRD 198, Inserm U1095, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, France
| | - Hocine Hacène
- Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, Faculté de Biologie, USTHB Université, Bab Ezzouar, Algeria
| | - Christelle Desnues
- Faculté de Médecine, Aix-Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS7278, IRD 198, Inserm U1095, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille, France
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16
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Moopantakath J, Imchen M, Anju VT, Busi S, Dyavaiah M, Martínez-Espinosa RM, Kumavath R. Bioactive molecules from haloarchaea: Scope and prospects for industrial and therapeutic applications. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1113540. [PMID: 37065149 PMCID: PMC10102575 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1113540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine environments and salty inland ecosystems encompass various environmental conditions, such as extremes of temperature, salinity, pH, pressure, altitude, dry conditions, and nutrient scarcity. The extremely halophilic archaea (also called haloarchaea) are a group of microorganisms requiring high salt concentrations (2–6 M NaCl) for optimal growth. Haloarchaea have different metabolic adaptations to withstand these extreme conditions. Among the adaptations, several vesicles, granules, primary and secondary metabolites are produced that are highly significant in biotechnology, such as carotenoids, halocins, enzymes, and granules of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Among halophilic enzymes, reductases play a significant role in the textile industry and the degradation of hydrocarbon compounds. Enzymes like dehydrogenases, glycosyl hydrolases, lipases, esterases, and proteases can also be used in several industrial procedures. More recently, several studies stated that carotenoids, gas vacuoles, and liposomes produced by haloarchaea have specific applications in medicine and pharmacy. Additionally, the production of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers by haloarchaea to store carbon makes them potent candidates to be used as cell factories in the industrial production of bioplastics. Furthermore, some haloarchaeal species can synthesize nanoparticles during heavy metal detoxification, thus shedding light on a new approach to producing nanoparticles on a large scale. Recent studies also highlight that exopolysaccharides from haloarchaea can bind the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This review explores the potential of haloarchaea in the industry and biotechnology as cellular factories to upscale the production of diverse bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamseel Moopantakath
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kerala, India
| | - Madangchanok Imchen
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - V. T. Anju
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Siddhardha Busi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Madhu Dyavaiah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies “Ramón Margalef”, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa,
| | - Ranjith Kumavath
- Department of Genomic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Central University of Kerala, Kerala, India
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
- *Correspondence: Ranjith Kumavath, ,
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17
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Bourhane Z, Cagnon C, Castañeda C, Rodríguez-Ochoa R, Álvaro-Fuentes J, Cravo-Laureau C, Duran R. Vertical organization of microbial communities in Salineta hypersaline wetland, Spain. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:869907. [PMID: 36778872 PMCID: PMC9911865 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.869907] [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: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities inhabiting hypersaline wetlands, well adapted to the environmental fluctuations due to flooding and desiccation events, play a key role in the biogeochemical cycles, ensuring ecosystem service. To better understand the ecosystem functioning, we studied soil microbial communities of Salineta wetland (NE Spain) in dry and wet seasons in three different landscape stations representing situations characteristic of ephemeral saline lakes: S1 soil usually submerged, S2 soil intermittently flooded, and S3 soil with halophytes. Microbial community composition was determined according to different redox layers by 16S rRNA gene barcoding. We observed reversed redox gradient, negative at the surface and positive in depth, which was identified by PERMANOVA as the main factor explaining microbial distribution. The Pseudomonadota, Gemmatimonadota, Bacteroidota, Desulfobacterota, and Halobacteriota phyla were dominant in all stations. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) revealed that the upper soil surface layer was characterized by the predominance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) affiliated to strictly or facultative anaerobic halophilic bacteria and archaea while the subsurface soil layer was dominated by an OTU affiliated to Roseibaca, an aerobic alkali-tolerant bacterium. In addition, the potential functional capabilities, inferred by PICRUSt2 analysis, involved in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles were similar in all samples, irrespective of the redox stratification, suggesting functional redundancy. Our findings show microbial community changes according to water flooding conditions, which represent useful information for biomonitoring and management of these wetlands whose extreme aridity and salinity conditions are exposed to irreversible changes due to human activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeina Bourhane
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Pau, France
| | - Christine Cagnon
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Pau, France
| | | | - Rafael Rodríguez-Ochoa
- Departamento de Medio Ambiente y Ciencias del Suelo, Universidad de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | | | | | - Robert Duran
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, Pau, France
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18
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Matarredona L, Camacho M, Bautista V, Bonete MJ, Esclapez J. Lrp as a potential transcriptional regulator involved in stress response in Haloferax mediterranei. Biochimie 2023; 209:61-72. [PMID: 36708868 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The Archaea domain consists of a heterogeneous group of microorganisms with unique physiological properties that occupy a wide variety of niches in nature. Haloferax mediterranei is an extremely halophilic archaeon classified in the Phylum Euryarchaeota, which requires a high concentration of inorganic salts for optimal growth. In haloarchaea, transcription factors play a fundamental role in an adequate adaptation to environmental and nutritional changes, preserving the survival and integrity of the organism. To deepen knowledge of the Lrp/AsnC transcriptional regulator family, a lrp gene (HFX_RS01210) from this family has been studied. Site-directed mutagenesis has allowed us to identify the TATA-box and two potential sites of the transcriptional factor (TF) to its own promoter and autoregulate itself. Several approaches were carried out to elucidate whether this transcriptional regulator is involved in stresses due to heavy metals and limited nitrogen conditions. Characterization of the lrp deletion mutant and the Lrp overexpressed strain, suggests that the level of lrp expression depends on the nitrogen source and the presence of cobalt. The most striking results were obtained in the presence of nitrate as a nitrogen source due to the inability of the deletion mutant to grow. All these results confirm that Lrp is a powerful candidate for a regulatory role in the stress response, particularly under N-limiting conditions and the presence of cobalt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Matarredona
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Soil and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Area, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Ap 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Mónica Camacho
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Soil and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Area, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Ap 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Vanesa Bautista
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Soil and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Area, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Ap 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain.
| | - María-José Bonete
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Soil and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Area, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Ap 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain.
| | - Julia Esclapez
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Soil and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Area, Faculty of Science, University of Alicante, Ap 99, 03080, Alicante, Spain.
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Torregrosa-Crespo J, Miralles-Robledillo JM, Bernabeu E, Pire C, Martínez-Espinosa RM. Denitrification in hypersaline and coastal environments. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2023; 370:fnad066. [PMID: 37422443 PMCID: PMC10423024 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnad066] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
As the association of denitrification with global warming and nitrogen removal from ecosystems has gained attention in recent decades, numerous studies have examined denitrification rates and the distribution of denitrifiers across different environments. In this minireview, reported studies focused on coastal saline environments, including estuaries, mangroves, and hypersaline ecosystems, have been analysed to identify the relationship between denitrification and saline gradients. The analyses of the literature and databases stated the direct effect of salinity on the distribution patterns of denitrifiers. However, few works do not support this hypothesis thus making this topic controversial. The specific mechanisms by which salinity influences denitrifier distribution are not fully understood. Nevertheless, several physical and chemical environmental parameters, in addition to salinity, have been shown to play a role in structuring the denitrifying microbial communities. The prevalence of nirS or nirK denitrifiers in ecosystems is a subject of debate in this work. In general terms, in mesohaline environments, the predominant nitrite reductase is NirS type and, NirK is found predominantly in hypersaline environments. Moreover, the approaches used by different researchers are quite different, resulting in a huge amount of unrelated information, making it difficult to establish comparative analysis. The main techniques used to analyse the distribution of denitrifying populations along salt gradients have been also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Torregrosa-Crespo
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jose María Miralles-Robledillo
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - Eric Bernabeu
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - Carmen Pire
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies “Ramón Margalef” (IMEM), University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies “Ramón Margalef” (IMEM), University of Alicante, Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
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Baati H, Siala M, Azri C, Ammar E, Trigui M. Hydrolytic enzyme screening and carotenoid production evaluation of halophilic archaea isolated from highly heavy metal-enriched solar saltern sediments. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53:1893-1906. [PMID: 36280648 PMCID: PMC9679124 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00855-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper aimed to screen the enzymatic activities and evaluate the carotenoid production level of twenty-two halophilic archaea isolated from Sfax solar saltern sediments. The molecular identification performed by sequencing the 16S rRNA genes showed that all strains have a high similarity degree (99.7-100%) with Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1. The strains were screened for the presence of eight hydrolase activities using agar plate-based assays. The most detected enzyme was gelatinase (77.27% of total strains), followed by protease (63.63%) and amylase activities (50%). The carotenoid production yields of the strains ranged between 2.027 and 14.880 mg/l. The UV-Visible spectroscopy of pigments revealed that it was a bacterioruberin type. When evaluated and compared to the standard β-carotene, the antioxidant capacities of these pigments showed a scavenging activity of more than 75% at a concentration of 5 μg/ml for three strains (AS16, AS17, and AS18). Then a sequence of one-step optimization processes was performed, using the one-factor-at-a-time approach, to define the optimum conditions for growth and carotenoid production of the highest carotenoid producing strain (AS17). Different environmental factors and nutritional conditions were tested. Variations in these factors were found to deeply influence growth and carotenoid production. A maximum carotenoid production (16.490 mg/l), higher than that of the control (14.880 mg/l), was observed at 37 °C, pH 7, 250 g/l of salinity, with 80% air phase in the flask at 110 rpm, in presence of light and in culture media containing (g/l) 10, yeast extract; 7.5, casamino acid; 20, MgSO4; 4, KCl; and 3, trisodium citrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houda Baati
- Research Laboratory of Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Development "LASED", University of Sfax, LR18ES32, Sfax, Tunisia.
| | - Mariem Siala
- Research Laboratory of Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Development "LASED", University of Sfax, LR18ES32, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Chafai Azri
- Research Laboratory of Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Development "LASED", University of Sfax, LR18ES32, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Emna Ammar
- Research Laboratory of Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Development "LASED", University of Sfax, LR18ES32, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Trigui
- Research Laboratory of Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Development "LASED", University of Sfax, LR18ES32, Sfax, Tunisia
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Sorokin DY, Elcheninov AG, Khijniak TV, Kolganova TV, Kublanov IV. Selective enrichment on a wide polysaccharide spectrum allowed isolation of novel metabolic and taxonomic groups of haloarchaea from hypersaline lakes. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1059347. [PMID: 36504804 PMCID: PMC9726719 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1059347] [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: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Extremely halophilic archaea (haloarchaea) of the class Halobacteria is a dominant group of aerobic heterotrophic prokaryotic communities in salt-saturated habitats, such as salt lakes and solar salterns. Most of the pure cultures of haloarchaea were enriched, isolated, and cultivated on rich soluble substrates such as amino acids, peptides or simple sugars. So far, the evidences on the capability of haloarchaea to use different polysaccharides as growth substrates remained scarce. However, it is becoming increasingly obvious that these archaea can also actively participate in mineralization of complex biopolymers, in particular cellulose and chitin-two dominant biomass polysaccharides on the planet. Here we used an array of commercially available homo- and heteropolysaccharides to enrich hydrolytic haloarchaea from hypersaline salt lakes with neutral pH and from alkaline soda lakes. This resulted in isolation of a range of halo- and natrono-archaea, respectively, belonging to already described taxa as well as several new genus-level lineages. In some cases, the isolates enriched with different polysaccharides happened to be closely related, thus representing generalistic ecotype, while the others were narrow specialists. In general, soda lakes yielded a broader range of polysaccharide-utilizing specialists in comparison to neutral salt lakes. The results demonstrated a significant diversity of halo(natrono)archaea with a previously unrecognized potential for utilization of a broad range of natural polysaccharides in hypersaline habitats.
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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, Netherlands
| | - Alexander G. Elcheninov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Federal Research Centre of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana V. Khijniak
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Federal Research Centre of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana V. Kolganova
- Institute of Bioengineering, Federal Research Centre of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ilya V. Kublanov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Federal Research Centre of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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Perez-Fernandez CA, Wilburn P, Davila A, DiRuggiero J. Adaptations of endolithic communities to abrupt environmental changes in a hyper-arid desert. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20022. [PMID: 36414646 PMCID: PMC9681764 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23437-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The adaptation mechanisms of microbial communities to natural perturbations remain unexplored, particularly in extreme environments. The extremophilic communities of halite (NaCl) nodules from the hyper-arid core of the Atacama Desert are self-sustained and represent a unique opportunity to study functional adaptations and community dynamics with changing environmental conditions. We transplanted halite nodules to different sites in the desert and investigated how their taxonomic, cellular, and biochemical changes correlated with water availability, using environmental data modeling and metagenomic analyses. Salt-in strategists, mainly represented by haloarchaea, significantly increased in relative abundance at sites characterized by extreme dryness, multiple wet/dry cycles, and colder conditions. The functional analysis of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) revealed site-specific enrichments in archaeal MAGs encoding for the uptake of various compatible solutes and for glycerol utilization. These findings suggest that opportunistic salt-in strategists took over the halite communities at the driest sites. They most likely benefited from compounds newly released in the environment by the death of microorganisms least adapted to the new conditions. The observed changes were consistent with the need to maximize cellular bioenergetics when confronted with lower water availability and higher salinity, providing valuable information on microbial community adaptations and resilience to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar A. Perez-Fernandez
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Paul Wilburn
- grid.419075.e0000 0001 1955 7990NASA Ames Research Center-Exobiology Branch MS 239-4, Moffett Field, CA USA
| | - Alfonso Davila
- grid.419075.e0000 0001 1955 7990NASA Ames Research Center-Exobiology Branch MS 239-4, Moffett Field, CA USA
| | - Jocelyne DiRuggiero
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
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23
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Xie YG, Luo ZH, Fang BZ, Jiao JY, Xie QJ, Cao XR, Qu YN, Qi YL, Rao YZ, Li YX, Liu YH, Li A, Seymour C, Palmer M, Hedlund BP, Li WJ, Hua ZS. Functional differentiation determines the molecular basis of the symbiotic lifestyle of Ca. Nanohaloarchaeota. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:172. [PMID: 36242054 PMCID: PMC9563170 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01376-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Candidatus Nanohaloarchaeota, an archaeal phylum within the DPANN superphylum, is characterized by limited metabolic capabilities and limited phylogenetic diversity and until recently has been considered to exclusively inhabit hypersaline environments due to an obligate association with Halobacteria. Aside from hypersaline environments, Ca. Nanohaloarchaeota can also have been discovered from deep-subsurface marine sediments. RESULTS Three metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) representing a new order within the Ca. Nanohaloarchaeota were reconstructed from a stratified salt crust and proposed to represent a novel order, Nucleotidisoterales. Genomic features reveal them to be anaerobes capable of catabolizing nucleotides by coupling nucleotide salvage pathways with lower glycolysis to yield free energy. Comparative genomics demonstrated that these and other Ca. Nanohaloarchaeota inhabiting saline habitats use a "salt-in" strategy to maintain osmotic pressure based on the high proportion of acidic amino acids. In contrast, previously described Ca. Nanohaloarchaeota MAGs from geothermal environments were enriched with basic amino acids to counter heat stress. Evolutionary history reconstruction revealed that functional differentiation of energy conservation strategies drove diversification within Ca. Nanohaloarchaeota, further leading to shifts in the catabolic strategy from nucleotide degradation within deeper lineages to polysaccharide degradation within shallow lineages. CONCLUSIONS This study provides deeper insight into the ecological functions and evolution of the expanded phylum Ca. Nanohaloarchaeota and further advances our understanding on the functional and genetic associations between potential symbionts and hosts. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Hao Luo
- 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
| | - Bao-Zhu Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Yu Jiao
- 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
| | - Qi-Jun 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Ru Cao
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Ni Qu
- 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
| | - Yan-Lin Qi
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang-Zhi Rao
- 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
| | - Yu-Xian Li
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong-Hong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, People's Republic of China
| | - Andrew Li
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Cale Seymour
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA
| | - Marike Palmer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA
| | - 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, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, 830011, People's Republic of 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, People's Republic of China.
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24
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Wu JH, McGenity TJ, Rettberg P, Simões MF, Li WJ, Antunes A. The archaeal class Halobacteria and astrobiology: Knowledge gaps and research opportunities. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1023625. [PMID: 36312929 PMCID: PMC9608585 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1023625] [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: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Water bodies on Mars and the icy moons of the outer solar system are now recognized as likely being associated with high levels of salt. Therefore, the study of high salinity environments and their inhabitants has become increasingly relevant for Astrobiology. Members of the archaeal class Halobacteria are the most successful microbial group living in hypersaline conditions and are recognized as key model organisms for exposure experiments. Despite this, data for the class is uneven across taxa and widely dispersed across the literature, which has made it difficult to properly assess the potential for species of Halobacteria to survive under the polyextreme conditions found beyond Earth. Here we provide an overview of published data on astrobiology-linked exposure experiments performed with members of the Halobacteria, identifying clear knowledge gaps and research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Hui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), Taipa, Macau SAR, China
- China National Space Administration (CNSA), Macau Center for Space Exploration and Science, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Terry J. McGenity
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Petra Rettberg
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Köln, Germany
| | - Marta F. Simões
- State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), Taipa, Macau SAR, China
- China National Space Administration (CNSA), Macau Center for Space Exploration and Science, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Wen-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - André Antunes
- State Key Laboratory of Lunar and Planetary Sciences, Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), Taipa, Macau SAR, China
- China National Space Administration (CNSA), Macau Center for Space Exploration and Science, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
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25
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Sorokin DY, Elcheninov AG, Khizhniak TV, Koenen M, Bale NJ, Damsté JSS, Kublanov IV. Natronocalculus amylovorans gen. nov., sp. nov., and Natranaeroarchaeum aerophilus sp. nov., dominant culturable amylolytic natronoarchaea from hypersaline soda lakes in southwestern siberia. Syst Appl Microbiol 2022; 45:126336. [DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2022.126336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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26
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Wang R, Chen F, Wang J, Liu A, Ke L, Wan F, Chen S. Halorhabdus amylolytica sp. nov. and Halorhabdus salina sp. nov., isolated from hypersaline environments. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2022; 72. [DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.005346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Two novel extremely halophilic archaeal strains, designated H27T and FL145T, were isolated from a salt mine and a kelp salt sample, respectively. Cells of both strains were Gram-stain-negative, motile and pleomorphic. The 16S rRNA and rpoB′ gene sequence similarities between strains H27T and FL145T were 96.60 and 88.77%. Strains H27T and FL145T were both closely related to
Halorhabdus rudnickae
WSM-64T,
Halorhabdus tiamatea
SARL4BT and
Halorhabdus utahensis
AX-2T, with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 98.14, 96.34 and 96.27% for strain H27T and 96.42, 95.82 and 96.17% for strain FL145T. The genome-based average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strains H27T and FL145T, and these three species were 83.93, 79.79 and 79.09% (for strain H27T), and 78.32, 77.95 and 77.05% (for strain FL145T), respectively. The ANI value between strains H27T and FL145T was 78.65 %. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strains H27T and FL145T, and these three species were less than 27.40%, which were below the recommended threshold for membership of the same species. The major polar lipids of both strains were found to consist of sulfated diglycosyl diether, triglycosyl diether, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content was determined from genome to be 62.10 mol% for strain H27T and 61.51 mol% for strain FL145T. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic analyses, these two new isolates should be classified as representing two novel species in the genus
Halorhabdus
, with strain H27T (=CGMCC 1.16342T=NBRC 113589T) as the type strain of a new species for which we propose the name Halorhabdus amylolytica sp. nov., and strain FL145T (=CGMCC 1.13888T=NBRC 114260T) as the type strain of another new species for which we propose the name Halorhabdus salina sp. nov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, PR China
| | - Feilong Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, PR China
| | - Jianzhong Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, PR China
| | - Aimin Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, PR China
| | - Lixia Ke
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, PR China
| | - Fengying Wan
- Library of Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, PR China
| | - Shaoxing Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Honghe University, Mengzi 661100, PR China
- College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, PR China
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Martínez GM, Pire C, Martínez-Espinosa RM. Hypersaline environments as natural sources of microbes with potential applications in biotechnology: the case of solar evaporation systems to produce salt in Alicante County (Spain). CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2022; 3:100136. [PMID: 35909606 PMCID: PMC9325878 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2022.100136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Martínez Martínez
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Division, Agrochemistry and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, Alicante, E-03080 Spain
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies “Ramón Margalef”, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, Alicante, E-03080 Spain
| | - Carmen Pire
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Division, Agrochemistry and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, Alicante, E-03080 Spain
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies “Ramón Margalef”, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, Alicante, E-03080 Spain
| | - Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Division, Agrochemistry and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, Alicante, E-03080 Spain
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies “Ramón Margalef”, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, Alicante, E-03080 Spain
- Corresponding author.
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28
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Hilpmann S, Bader M, Steudtner R, Müller K, Stumpf T, Cherkouk A. Microscopic and spectroscopic bioassociation study of uranium(VI) with an archaeal Halobacterium isolate. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262275. [PMID: 35025937 PMCID: PMC8757991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The safe disposal of high-level radioactive waste in a deep geological repository is a huge social and technical challenge. So far, one of the less considered factors needed for a long-term risk assessment, is the impact of microorganisms occurring in the different host rocks. Even under the harsh conditions of salt formations different bacterial and archaeal species were found, e. g. Halobacterium sp. GP5 1-1, which has been isolated from a German rock salt sample. The interactions of this archaeon with uranium(VI), one of the radionuclides of major concern for the long-term storage of high-level radioactive waste, were investigated. Different spectroscopic techniques, as well as microscopy, were used to examine the occurring mechanisms on a molecular level leading to a more profound process understanding. Batch experiments with different uranium(VI) concentrations showed that the interaction is not only a simple, but a more complex combination of different processes. With the help of in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy the association of uranium(VI) onto carboxylate groups was verified. In addition, time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy revealed the formation of phosphate and carboxylate species within the cell pellets as a function of the uranium(VI) concentration and incubation time. The association behavior differs from another very closely related halophilic archaeon, especially with regard to uranium(VI) concentrations. This clearly demonstrates the importance of studying the interactions of different, at first sight very similar, microorganisms with uranium(VI). This work provides new insights into the microbe-uranium(VI) interactions at highly saline conditions relevant to the long-term storage of radioactive waste in rock salt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Hilpmann
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Miriam Bader
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Robin Steudtner
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katharina Müller
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thorsten Stumpf
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andrea Cherkouk
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
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29
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Nan L, Guo Q, Cao S, Zhan Z. Diversity of bacterium communities in saline-alkali soil in arid regions of Northwest China. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:11. [PMID: 34991470 PMCID: PMC8734156 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02424-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The saline-alkali soil area accounts for over 1/4-1/5 of the land area in Gansu Province of China, which are mainly distributed in the north of Hexi corridor and Jingtai basin. The unique ecological environment contains unique and diverse microbial resources. The investigation of microbial diversity in saline environment is vital to comprehend the biological mechanisms of saline adaption, develop and utilize microbial resources. RESULTS The Illumina MiSeq sequencing method was practiced to investigate the bacterial diversity and composition in the 5 subtypes and 13 genera of saline-alkali soil in Gansu Province, China. The results from this study show that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Gemmatimonadetes were the dominant bacterial groups in 13 saline soil. Proteobacteria had the greatest abundance in sulfate-type meadow solonchaks and orthic solonchaks, chloride-type orthic solonchaks and bog solonchaks, sulfate-chloride-type, chloride-sulfate-type, and sulfate-type dry solonchaks. Halobacteria was the dominant bacterial class in soil samples except for sulfate-type meadow solonchaks and orthic solonchaks, chloride-type orthic solonchaks and bog solonchaks. The richness estimators of Ace and Chao 1 and the diversity indices of Shannon and Simpson revealed the least diversity in bacterial community in sulfate-chloride-type orthic solonchaks. CONCLUSIONS The sulfate anion was the most important driving force for bacterial composition (17.7%), and the second most influencing factor was pH value (11.7%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Nan
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China.
| | - Quanen Guo
- Institute of Soil, Fertilizer and Water-saving, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Shiyu Cao
- Institute of Soil, Fertilizer and Water-saving, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
| | - Zongbing Zhan
- Institute of Soil, Fertilizer and Water-saving, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China
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30
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Sakrikar S, Schmid A. An archaeal histone-like protein regulates gene expression in response to salt stress. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:12732-12743. [PMID: 34883507 PMCID: PMC8682779 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Histones, ubiquitous in eukaryotes as DNA-packing proteins, find their evolutionary origins in archaea. Unlike the characterized histone proteins of a number of methanogenic and themophilic archaea, previous research indicated that HpyA, the sole histone encoded in the model halophile Halobacterium salinarum, is not involved in DNA packaging. Instead, it was found to have widespread but subtle effects on gene expression and to maintain wild type cell morphology. However, the precise function of halophilic histone-like proteins remain unclear. Here we use quantitative phenotyping, genetics, and functional genomics to investigate HpyA function. These experiments revealed that HpyA is important for growth and rod-shaped morphology in reduced salinity. HpyA preferentially binds DNA at discrete genomic sites under low salt to regulate expression of ion uptake, particularly iron. HpyA also globally but indirectly activates other ion uptake and nucleotide biosynthesis pathways in a salt-dependent manner. Taken together, these results demonstrate an alternative function for an archaeal histone-like protein as a transcriptional regulator, with its function tuned to the physiological stressors of the hypersaline environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saaz Sakrikar
- Biology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC27708, USA
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, NC27708, USA
| | - Amy K Schmid
- Biology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC27708, USA
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, NC27708, USA
- Center for Genomics and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC27708, USA
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Saccò M, White NE, Harrod C, Salazar G, Aguilar P, Cubillos CF, Meredith K, Baxter BK, Oren A, Anufriieva E, Shadrin N, Marambio-Alfaro Y, Bravo-Naranjo V, Allentoft ME. Salt to conserve: a review on the ecology and preservation of hypersaline ecosystems. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:2828-2850. [PMID: 34747117 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
When it comes to the investigation of key ecosystems in the world, we often omit salt from the ecological recipe. In fact, despite occupying almost half of the volume of inland waters and providing crucial services to humanity and nature, inland saline ecosystems are often overlooked in discussions regarding the preservation of global aquatic resources of our planet. As a result, our knowledge of the biological and geochemical dynamics shaping these environments remains incomplete and we are hesitant in framing effective protective strategies against the increasing natural and anthropogenic threats faced by such habitats. Hypersaline lakes, water bodies where the concentration of salt exceeds 35 g/l, occur mainly in arid and semiarid areas resulting from hydrological imbalances triggering the accumulation of salts over time. Often considered the 'exotic siblings' within the family of inland waters, these ecosystems host some of the most extremophile communities worldwide and provide essential habitats for waterbirds and many other organisms in already water-stressed regions. These systems are often highlighted as natural laboratories, ideal for addressing central ecological questions due to their relatively low complexity and simple food web structures. However, recent studies on the biogeochemical mechanisms framing hypersaline communities have challenged this archetype, arguing that newly discovered highly diverse communities are characterised by specific trophic interactions shaped by high levels of specialisation. The main goal of this review is to explore our current understanding of the ecological dynamics of hypersaline ecosystems by addressing four main research questions: (i) why are hypersaline lakes unique from a biological and geochemical perspective; (ii) which biota inhabit these ecosystems and how have they adapted to the high salt conditions; (iii) how do we protect biodiversity from increasing natural and anthropogenic threats; and (iv) which scientific tools will help us preserve hypersaline ecosystems in the future? First, we focus on the ecological characterisation of hypersaline ecosystems, illustrate hydrogeochemical dynamics regulating such environments, and outline key ecoregions supporting hypersaline systems across the globe. Second, we depict the diversity and functional aspects of key taxa found in hypersaline lakes, from microorganisms to plants, invertebrates, waterbirds and upper trophic levels. Next, we describe ecosystem services and discuss possible conservation guidelines. Finally, we outline how cutting-edge technologies can provide new insights into the study of hypersaline ecology. Overall, this review sheds further light onto these understudied ecosystems, largely unrecognised as important sources of unique biological and functional diversity. We provide perspectives for key future research avenues, and advocate that the conservation of hypersaline lakes should not be taken with 'a grain of salt'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Saccò
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Nicole E White
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Chris Harrod
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile.,Núcleo Milenio INVASAL, Concepción, 3349001, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Salazar
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile.,Núcleo Milenio INVASAL, Concepción, 3349001, Chile
| | - Pablo Aguilar
- Núcleo Milenio INVASAL, Concepción, 3349001, Chile.,Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana y Ecología Funcional, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Carolina F Cubillos
- Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana y Ecología Funcional, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Karina Meredith
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia
| | - Bonnie K Baxter
- Great Salt Lake Institute, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT, 84105, U.S.A
| | - Aharon Oren
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Institute of Life Sciences, the Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Elena Anufriieva
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Nakhimov Avenue 2, Sevastopol, 299011, Russia
| | - Nickolai Shadrin
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Nakhimov Avenue 2, Sevastopol, 299011, Russia
| | - Yeri Marambio-Alfaro
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Víctor Bravo-Naranjo
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Serena, Benavente 980, La Serena, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Morten E Allentoft
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Menéndez-Serra M, Triadó-Margarit X, Casamayor EO. Ecological and Metabolic Thresholds in the Bacterial, Protist, and Fungal Microbiome of Ephemeral Saline Lakes (Monegros Desert, Spain). MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2021; 82:885-896. [PMID: 33725151 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-021-01732-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We studied the 16S and 18S rRNA genes of the bacterial, protist, and fungal microbiomes of 131 samples collected in 14 ephemeral small inland lakes located in the endorheic area of the Monegros Desert (NE Spain). The sampling covered different temporal flooding/desiccation cycles that created natural salinity gradients between 0.1% (w/v) and salt saturation. We aimed to test the hypothesis of a lack of competitive advantage for microorganisms using the "salt-in" strategy in highly fluctuating hypersaline environments where temperature and salinity transitions widely vary within short time periods, as in ephemeral inland lakes. Overall, 5653 bacterial zOTUs and 2658 eukaryal zOTUs were detected heterogeneously distributed with significant variations on taxonomy and general energy-yielding metabolisms and trophic strategies along the gradient. We observed a more diverse bacterial assembly than initially expected at extreme salinities and a lack of dominance of a few "salt-in" organisms. Microbial thresholds were unveiled for these highly fluctuating hypersaline environments with high selective pressures. We conclude that the extremely high dynamism observed in the ephemeral lakes of Monegros may have given a competitive advantage for more versatile ("salt-out") organisms compared to those better adapted to stable high salinities usually more common in solar salterns. Ephemeral inland saline lakes offered a well-suited natural framework for highly detailed evolutionary and ecological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateu Menéndez-Serra
- Integrative Freshwater Ecology Group, Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Acces Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain
| | - Xavier Triadó-Margarit
- Integrative Freshwater Ecology Group, Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Acces Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain
| | - Emilio O Casamayor
- Integrative Freshwater Ecology Group, Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Acces Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain.
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Lach J, Jęcz P, Strapagiel D, Matera-Witkiewicz A, Stączek P. The Methods of Digging for "Gold" within the Salt: Characterization of Halophilic Prokaryotes and Identification of Their Valuable Biological Products Using Sequencing and Genome Mining Tools. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12111756. [PMID: 34828362 PMCID: PMC8619533 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Halophiles, the salt-loving organisms, have been investigated for at least a hundred years. They are found in all three domains of life, namely Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya, and occur in saline and hypersaline environments worldwide. They are already a valuable source of various biomolecules for biotechnological, pharmaceutical, cosmetological and industrial applications. In the present era of multidrug-resistant bacteria, cancer expansion, and extreme environmental pollution, the demand for new, effective compounds is higher and more urgent than ever before. Thus, the unique metabolism of halophilic microorganisms, their low nutritional requirements and their ability to adapt to harsh conditions (high salinity, high pressure and UV radiation, low oxygen concentration, hydrophobic conditions, extreme temperatures and pH, toxic compounds and heavy metals) make them promising candidates as a fruitful source of bioactive compounds. The main aim of this review is to highlight the nucleic acid sequencing experimental strategies used in halophile studies in concert with the presentation of recent examples of bioproducts and functions discovered in silico in the halophile's genomes. We point out methodological gaps and solutions based on in silico methods that are helpful in the identification of valuable bioproducts synthesized by halophiles. We also show the potential of an increasing number of publicly available genomic and metagenomic data for halophilic organisms that can be analysed to identify such new bioproducts and their producers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Lach
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (P.J.); (P.S.)
- Biobank Lab, Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Paulina Jęcz
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (P.J.); (P.S.)
| | - Dominik Strapagiel
- Biobank Lab, Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Matera-Witkiewicz
- Screening Laboratory of Biological Activity Tests and Collection of Biological Material, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Paweł Stączek
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (P.J.); (P.S.)
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The Diversity, Composition, and Metabolic Pathways of Archaea in Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11072139. [PMID: 34359268 PMCID: PMC8300674 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Archaea is identified as the key link in the interaction between gut microbiota and host metabo-lism. Studies on human and mice have reported archaea, especially methanogenic archaea, makes an important impact on the energy harvesting capacity of the host by improving fermentation. But, in pigs, the metabolic potential of archaea at different production stages are still largely unknown. Herein, we re-analyzed 276 metagenomic samples to explore the diversity, composi-tion, and potential functions of archaea in pigs. The results showed significant regional variations in archaeal composition. Furthermore, the Metacyc pathway related to hydrogen consumption (METHANOGENESIS-PWY) was only observed in archaeal reads, and archaea may be involved in carbohydrate metabolism and de novo synthesis of some kinds of essential amino acid. Overall, metagenomic re-analysis revealed that the composition and functional potential of archaea in the swine gut and suggested that archaea may make an important function in pigs. Abstract Archaea are an essential class of gut microorganisms in humans and animals. Despite the substantial progress in gut microbiome research in the last decade, most studies have focused on bacteria, and little is known about archaea in mammals. In this study, we investigated the composition, diversity, and functional potential of gut archaeal communities in pigs by re-analyzing a published metagenomic dataset including a total of 276 fecal samples from three countries: China (n = 76), Denmark (n = 100), and France (n = 100). For alpha diversity (Shannon Index) of the archaeal communities, Chinese pigs were less diverse than Danish and French pigs (p < 0.001). Consistently, Chinese pigs also possessed different archaeal community structures from the other two groups based on the Bray–Curtis distance matrix. Methanobrevibacter was the most dominant archaeal genus in Chinese pigs (44.94%) and French pigs (15.41%), while Candidatus methanomethylophilus was the most predominant in Danish pigs (15.71%). At the species level, the relative abundance of Candidatus methanomethylophilus alvus, Natrialbaceae archaeon XQ INN 246, and Methanobrevibacter gottschalkii were greatest in Danish, French, and Chinese pigs with a relative abundance of 14.32, 11.67, and 16.28%, respectively. In terms of metabolic potential, the top three pathways in the archaeal communities included the MetaCyc pathway related to the biosynthesis of L-valine, L-isoleucine, and isobutanol. Interestingly, the pathway related to hydrogen consumption (METHANOGENESIS-PWY) was only observed in archaeal reads, while the pathways participating in hydrogen production (FERMENTATION-PWY and PWY4LZ-257) were only detected in bacterial reads. Archaeal communities also possessed CAZyme gene families, with the top five being AA3, GH43, GT2, AA6, and CE9. In terms of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), the class of multidrug resistance was the most abundant ARG, accounting for 87.41% of archaeal ARG hits. Our study reveals the diverse composition and metabolic functions of archaea in pigs, suggesting that archaea might play important roles in swine nutrition and metabolism.
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Analysis of Haloferax mediterranei Lrp Transcriptional Regulator. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12060802. [PMID: 34070366 PMCID: PMC8229911 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Haloferax mediterranei is an extremely halophilic archaeon, able to live in hypersaline environments with versatile nutritional requirements, whose study represents an excellent basis in the field of biotechnology. The transcriptional machinery in Archaea combines the eukaryotic basal apparatus and the bacterial regulation mechanisms. However, little is known about molecular mechanisms of gene expression regulation compared with Bacteria, particularly in Haloarchaea. The genome of Hfx. mediterranei contains a gene, lrp (HFX_RS01210), which encodes a transcriptional factor belonging to Lrp/AsnC family. It is located downstream of the glutamine synthetase gene (HFX_RS01205), an enzyme involved in ammonium assimilation and amino acid metabolism. To study this transcriptional factor more deeply, the lrp gene has been homologously overexpressed and purified under native conditions by two chromatographic steps, namely nickel affinity and gel filtration chromatography, showing that Lrp behaves asa tetrameric protein of approximately 67 kDa. Its promoter region has been characterized under different growth conditions using bgaH as a reporter gene. The amount of Lrp protein was also analyzed by Western blotting in different nitrogen sources and under various stress conditions. To sum up, regarding its involvement in the nitrogen cycle, it has been shown that its expression profile does not change in response to the nitrogen sources tested. Differences in its expression pattern have been observed under different stress conditions, such as in the presence of hydrogen peroxide or heavy metals. According to these results, the Lrp seems to be involved in a general response against stress factors, acting as a first-line transcriptional regulator.
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Archaea: An Agro-Ecological Perspective. Curr Microbiol 2021; 78:2510-2521. [PMID: 34019119 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-021-02537-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Microorganisms inhabiting bulk soil and rhizosphere play an important role in soil biogeochemical cycles leading to enhanced plant growth and productivity. In this context, the role of bacteria is well established, however, not much reports are available about the role archaea plays in this regard. Literature suggests that archaea also play a greater role in nutrient cycling of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and other minerals, possess various plant growth promoting attributes, and can impart tolerance to various abiotic stresses (especially osmotic and oxidative) in areas of high salinity, low and high temperatures and hydrogen ion concentrations. Thermoacidophilic archaea have been found to potentially involve in bioleaching of mineral ores and bioremediation of chemical pollutants and aromatic compounds. Looking at immense potential of archaea in promoting plant growth, alleviating abiotic stresses, and remediating contaminated sites, detailed studies are required to establish their role in different ecological processes, and their interactions in rhizosphere with plant and other microflora (bacteria and fungi) in different ecosystems. In this review, a brief discussion on archaea from the agro-ecological point of view is presented.
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Feng S, Wang R, Pastor RW, Klauda JB, Im W. Location and Conformational Ensemble of Menaquinone and Menaquinol, and Protein-Lipid Modulations in Archaeal Membranes. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:4714-4725. [PMID: 33913729 PMCID: PMC8379905 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c01930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Halobacteria, a type of archaea in high salt environments, have phytanyl ether phospholipid membranes containing up to 50% menaquinone. It is not understood why a high concentration of menaquinone is required and how it influences membrane properties. In this study, menaquinone-8 headgroup and torsion parameters of isoprenoid tail are optimized in the CHARMM36 force field. Molecular dynamics simulations of archaeal bilayers containing 0 to 50% menaquinone characterize the distribution of menaquinone-8 and menaquinol-8, as well as their effects on mechanical properties and permeability. Menaquinone-8 segregates to the membrane midplane above concentrations of 10%, favoring an extended conformation in a fluid state. Menaquinone-8 increases the bilayer thickness but does not significantly alter the area compressibility modulus and lipid chain ordering. Counterintuitively, menaquinone-8 increases water permeability because it lowers the free energy barrier in the midplane. The thickness increase due to menaquinone-8 may help halobacteria ameliorate hyper-osmotic pressure by increasing the membrane bending constant. Simulations of the archaeal membranes with archaerhodopsin-3 show that the local membrane surface adjusts to accommodate the thick membranes. Overall, this study delineates the biophysical landscape of 50% menaquinone in the archaeal bilayer, demonstrates the mixing of menaquinone and menaquinol, and provides atomistic details about menaquinone configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Feng
- Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA
| | - Ruixing Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Chemistry Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Richard W. Pastor
- Laboratory of Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Jeffery B. Klauda
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
| | - Wonpil Im
- Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015, USA
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Cui HL, Dyall-Smith ML. Cultivation of halophilic archaea (class Halobacteria) from thalassohaline and athalassohaline environments. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 3:243-251. [PMID: 37073340 PMCID: PMC10077297 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-020-00087-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
As a group, the halophilic archaea (class Halobacteria) are the most salt-requiring and salt-resistant microorganisms within the domain Archaea. Halophilic archaea flourish in thalassohaline and athalassohaline environments and require over 100-150 g/L NaCl for growth and structural stability. Natural hypersaline environments vary in salt concentration, chemical composition and pH, and occur in climates ranging from tropical to polar and even under-sea. Accordingly, their resident haloarchaeal species vary enormously, as do their individual population compositions and community structures. These diverse halophilic archaeal strains are precious resources for theoretical and applied research but assessing their taxonomic and metabolic novelty and diversity in natural environments has been technically difficult up until recently. Environmental DNA-based high-throughput sequencing technology has now matured sufficiently to allow inexpensive recovery of massive amounts of sequence data, revealing the distribution and community composition of halophilic archaea in different hypersaline environments. While cultivation of haloarchaea is slow and tedious, and only recovers a fraction of the natural diversity, it is the conventional means of describing new species, and provides strains for detailed study. As of the end of May 2020, the class Halobacteria contains 71 genera and 275 species, 49.8% of which were first isolated from the marine salt environment and 50.2% from the inland salt environment, indicating that both thalassohaline and athalassohaline environments contain diverse halophilic archaea. However, there remain taxa that have not yet been isolated in pure culture, such as the nanohaloarchaea, which are widespread in the salt environment and may be one of the hot spots in the field of halophilic archaea research in the future. In this review, we focus on the cultivation strategies that have been used to isolate extremely halophilic archaea and point out some of the pitfalls and challenges. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-020-00087-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng-Lin Cui
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013 China
| | - Mike L. Dyall-Smith
- Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010 Australia
- Computational Biology Group, Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
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Gómez-Villegas P, Vigara J, Romero L, Gotor C, Raposo S, Gonçalves B, Léon R. Biochemical Characterization of the Amylase Activity from the New Haloarchaeal Strain Haloarcula sp. HS Isolated in the Odiel Marshlands. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10040337. [PMID: 33923574 PMCID: PMC8073556 DOI: 10.3390/biology10040337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-amylases are a large family of α,1-4-endo-glycosyl hydrolases distributed in all kingdoms of life. The need for poly-extremotolerant amylases encouraged their search in extreme environments, where archaea become ideal candidates to provide new enzymes that are able to work in the harsh conditions demanded in many industrial applications. In this study, a collection of haloarchaea isolated from Odiel saltern ponds in the southwest of Spain was screened for their amylase activity. The strain that exhibited the highest activity was selected and identified as Haloarcula sp. HS. We demonstrated the existence in both, cellular and extracellular extracts of the new strain, of functional α-amylase activities, which showed to be moderately thermotolerant (optimum around 60 °C), extremely halotolerant (optimum over 25% NaCl), and calcium-dependent. The tryptic digestion followed by HPLC-MS/MS analysis of the partially purified cellular and extracellular extracts allowed to identify the sequence of three alpha-amylases, which despite sharing a low sequence identity, exhibited high three-dimensional structure homology, conserving the typical domains and most of the key consensus residues of α-amylases. Moreover, we proved the potential of the extracellular α-amylase from Haloarcula sp. HS to treat bakery wastes under high salinity conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Gómez-Villegas
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Marine International Campus of Excellence (CEIMAR), University of Huelva, Avda. de las Fuerzas Armadas s/n, 21071 Huelva, Spain; (P.G.-V.); (J.V.)
| | - Javier Vigara
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Marine International Campus of Excellence (CEIMAR), University of Huelva, Avda. de las Fuerzas Armadas s/n, 21071 Huelva, Spain; (P.G.-V.); (J.V.)
| | - Luis Romero
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Seville, Spain; (L.R.); (C.G.)
| | - Cecilia Gotor
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad de Sevilla, Avenida Américo Vespucio 49, 41092 Seville, Spain; (L.R.); (C.G.)
| | - Sara Raposo
- CIMA—Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, FCT, Campus de Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (S.R.); (B.G.)
| | - Brígida Gonçalves
- CIMA—Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, FCT, Campus de Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (S.R.); (B.G.)
| | - Rosa Léon
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Marine International Campus of Excellence (CEIMAR), University of Huelva, Avda. de las Fuerzas Armadas s/n, 21071 Huelva, Spain; (P.G.-V.); (J.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-959-219-951
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Halo(natrono)archaea from hypersaline lakes can utilize sulfoxides other than DMSO as electron acceptors for anaerobic respiration. Extremophiles 2021; 25:173-180. [PMID: 33620581 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-021-01219-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) has long been known to support anaerobic respiration in a few species of basically aerobic extremely halophilic euryarchaea living in hypersaline lakes. Recently, it has also been shown to be utilized as an additional electron acceptor in basically anaerobic sulfur-reducing haloarchaea. Here we investigated whether haloarchaea would be capable of anaerobic respiration with other two sulfoxides, methionine sulfoxide (MSO) and tetramethylene sulfoxide (TMSO). For this, anaerobic enrichment cultures were inoculated with sediments from hypersaline salt and soda lakes in southwestern Siberia and southern Russia. Positive enrichments were obtained for both MSO and TMSO with yeast extract but not with formate or acetate as the electron donor. Two pure cultures obtained from salt lakes, either with MSO or TMSO, were obligate anaerobes closely related to sulfur-reducing Halanaeroarchaeum sulfurireducens, although the type strain of this genus was unable to utilize any sulfoxides. Two pure cultures isolated from soda lakes were facultatively anaerobic alkaliphilic haloarchaea using O2, sulfur and sulfoxides as the electron acceptors. One isolate was identical to the previously described sulfur-reducing Natrarchaeobaculum sulfurireducens, while another one, enriched at lower alkalinity, is forming a new species in the genus Halobiforma. Since all isolates enriched with either MSO or TMSO were able to respire all three sulfoxides including DMSO and the corresponding activities were cross-induced, it suggest that a single enzyme of the DMSO-reductase family with a broad substrate specificity is responsible for various sulfoxide-dependent respiration in haloarchaea.
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The Survival of Haloferax mediterranei under Stressful Conditions. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020336. [PMID: 33567751 PMCID: PMC7915512 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Haloarchaea can survive and thrive under exposure to a wide range of extreme environmental factors, which represents a potential interest to biotechnology. Growth responses to different stressful conditions were examined in the haloarchaeon Haloferax mediterranei R4. It has been demonstrated that this halophilic archaeon is able to grow between 10 and 32.5% (w/v) of sea water, at 32–52 °C, although it is expected to grow in temperatures lower than 32 °C, and between 5.75 and 8.75 of pH. Moreover, it can also grow under high metal concentrations (nickel, lithium, cobalt, arsenic), which are toxic to most living beings, making it a promising candidate for future biotechnological purposes and industrial applications. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis quantified the intracellular ion concentrations of these four metals in Hfx. mediterranei, concluding that this haloarchaeon can accumulate Li+, Co2+, As5+, and Ni2+ within the cell. This paper is the first report on Hfx. mediterranei in which multiple stress conditions have been studied to explore the mechanism of stress resistance. It constitutes the most detailed study in Haloarchaea, and, as a consequence, new biotechnological and industrial applications have emerged.
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The Role of Glycerol and Its Derivatives in the Biochemistry of Living Organisms, and Their Prebiotic Origin and Significance in the Evolution of Life. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11010086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence and evolution of prebiotic biomolecules on the early Earth remain a question that is considered crucial to understanding the chemistry of the origin of life. Amongst prebiotic molecules, glycerol is significant due to its ubiquity in biochemistry. In this review, we discuss the significance of glycerol and its various derivatives in biochemistry, their plausible roles in the origin and evolution of early cell membranes, and significance in the biochemistry of extremophiles, followed by their prebiotic origin on the early Earth and associated catalytic processes that led to the origin of these compounds. We also discuss various scenarios for the prebiotic syntheses of glycerol and its derivates and evaluate these to determine their relevance to early Earth biochemistry and geochemistry, and recapitulate the utilization of various minerals (including clays), condensation agents, and solvents that could have led to the successful prebiotic genesis of these biomolecules. Furthermore, important prebiotic events such as meteoritic delivery and prebiotic synthesis reactions under astrophysical conditions are also discussed. Finally, we have also highlighted some novel features of glycerol, including glycerol nucleic acid (GNA), in the origin and evolution of the life.
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Kasirajan L, Maupin-Furlow JA. Halophilic archaea and their potential to generate renewable fuels and chemicals. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 118:1066-1090. [PMID: 33241850 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Lignocellulosic biofuels and chemicals have great potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate air pollution by cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions. Chemical, thermal, and enzymatic processes are used to release the sugars from the lignocellulosic biomass for conversion to biofuels. These processes often operate at extreme pH conditions, high salt concentrations, and/or high temperature. These harsh treatments add to the cost of the biofuels, as most known biocatalysts do not operate under these conditions. To increase the economic feasibility of biofuel production, microorganisms that thrive in extreme conditions are considered as ideal resources to generate biofuels and value-added products. Halophilic archaea (haloarchaea) are isolated from hypersaline ecosystems with high salt concentrations approaching saturation (1.5-5 M salt concentration) including environments with extremes in pH and/or temperature. The unique traits of haloarchaea and their enzymes that enable them to sustain catalytic activity in these environments make them attractive resources for use in bioconversion processes that must occur across a wide range of industrial conditions. Biocatalysts (enzymes) derived from haloarchaea occupy a unique niche in organic solvent, salt-based, and detergent industries. This review focuses on the use of haloarchaea and their enzymes to develop and improve biofuel production. The review also highlights how haloarchaea produce value-added products, such as antibiotics, carotenoids, and bioplastic precursors, and can do so using feedstocks considered "too salty" for most microbial processes including wastes from the olive-mill, shell fish, and biodiesel industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Kasirajan
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, India
| | - Julie A Maupin-Furlow
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Torregrosa-Crespo J, Pire C, Richardson DJ, Martínez-Espinosa RM. Exploring the Molecular Machinery of Denitrification in Haloferax mediterranei Through Proteomics. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:605859. [PMID: 33363526 PMCID: PMC7754194 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.605859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Many proteins and enzymes involved in denitrification in haloarchaea can be inferred to be located between the cytoplasmic membrane and the S-layer, based on the presence of a Tat signal sequence and the orientation of the active site that some of these enzymes have. The membrane fraction of the haloarchaeon Haloferax mediterranei (R-4), grown under anaerobic conditions in the presence of nitrate, was solubilized to identify the respiratory proteins associated or anchored to it. Using Triton X-100, CHAPS, and n-Octyl-β-d-glucopyranoside at different concentrations we found the best conditions for isolating membrane proteins in micelles, in which enzymatic activity and stability were maintained. Then, they were subjected to purification using two chromatographic steps followed by the analysis of the eluents by NANO-ESI Chip-HPLC-MS/MS. The results showed that the four main enzymes of denitrification (nitrate, nitrite, nitric oxide, and nitrous oxide reductases) in H. mediterranei were identified and they were co-purified thanks to the micelles made with Triton X-100 (20% w/v for membrane solubilisation and 0.2% w/v in the buffers used during purification). In addition, several accessory proteins involved in electron transfer processes during anaerobic respiration as well as proteins supporting ATP synthesis, redox balancing and oxygen sensing were detected. This is the first characterization of anaerobic membrane proteome of haloarchaea under denitrifying conditions using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. It provides new information for a better understanding of the anaerobic respiration in haloarchaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Torregrosa-Crespo
- División de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Agroquímica y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Carmen Pire
- División de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Agroquímica y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.,Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies "Ramón Margalef", University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - David J Richardson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa
- División de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Agroquímica y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain.,Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies "Ramón Margalef", University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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Martijn J, Schön ME, Lind AE, Vosseberg J, Williams TA, Spang A, Ettema TJG. Hikarchaeia demonstrate an intermediate stage in the methanogen-to-halophile transition. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5490. [PMID: 33127909 PMCID: PMC7599335 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19200-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Halobacteria (henceforth: Haloarchaea) are predominantly aerobic halophiles that are thought to have evolved from anaerobic methanogens. This remarkable transformation most likely involved an extensive influx of bacterial genes. Whether it entailed a single massive transfer event or a gradual stream of transfers remains a matter of debate. To address this, genomes that descend from methanogen-to-halophile intermediates are necessary. Here, we present five such near-complete genomes of Marine Group IV archaea (Hikarchaeia), the closest known relatives of Haloarchaea. Their inclusion in gene tree-aware ancestral reconstructions reveals an intermediate stage that had already lost a large number of genes, including nearly all of those involved in methanogenesis and the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. In contrast, the last Haloarchaea common ancestor gained a large number of genes and expanded its aerobic respiration and salt/UV resistance gene repertoire. Our results suggest that complex and gradual patterns of gain and loss shaped the methanogen-to-halophile transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joran Martijn
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Max E Schön
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders E Lind
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Julian Vosseberg
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tom A Williams
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Anja Spang
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Utrecht University, Den Burg, The Netherlands
| | - Thijs J G Ettema
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Matarredona L, Camacho M, Zafrilla B, Bonete MJ, Esclapez J. The Role of Stress Proteins in Haloarchaea and Their Adaptive Response to Environmental Shifts. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10101390. [PMID: 33003558 PMCID: PMC7601130 DOI: 10.3390/biom10101390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the years, in order to survive in their natural environment, microbial communities have acquired adaptations to nonoptimal growth conditions. These shifts are usually related to stress conditions such as low/high solar radiation, extreme temperatures, oxidative stress, pH variations, changes in salinity, or a high concentration of heavy metals. In addition, climate change is resulting in these stress conditions becoming more significant due to the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The most relevant damaging effect of these stressors is protein denaturation. To cope with this effect, organisms have developed different mechanisms, wherein the stress genes play an important role in deciding which of them survive. Each organism has different responses that involve the activation of many genes and molecules as well as downregulation of other genes and pathways. Focused on salinity stress, the archaeal domain encompasses the most significant extremophiles living in high-salinity environments. To have the capacity to withstand this high salinity without losing protein structure and function, the microorganisms have distinct adaptations. The haloarchaeal stress response protects cells against abiotic stressors through the synthesis of stress proteins. This includes other heat shock stress proteins (Hsp), thermoprotectants, survival proteins, universal stress proteins, and multicellular structures. Gene and family stress proteins are highly conserved among members of the halophilic archaea and their study should continue in order to develop means to improve for biotechnological purposes. In this review, all the mechanisms to cope with stress response by haloarchaea are discussed from a global perspective, specifically focusing on the role played by universal stress proteins.
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Pal S, Biswas R, Misra A, Sar A, Banerjee S, Mukherjee P, Dam B. Poorly known microbial taxa dominate the microbiome of hypersaline Sambhar Lake salterns in India. Extremophiles 2020; 24:875-885. [PMID: 32955600 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-020-01201-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Inland athalassohaline solar salterns provide unique opportunity to study microbial successions along salinity gradients that resemble transition in natural hypersaline lakes. We analyzed for the first time 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequences of bacteria (V1-V2) and archaea (V4-V5) in saltern brines of India's largest inland hypersaline Sambhar Lake. Brines of the salterns (S1-S4) are alkaline (pH 9.5-10.5) with salinities of 130, 170, 280 and 350 gL-1 respectively. 16S rRNA gene copy-number of archaea outnumbered that of bacteria in all salterns. Their diversity also increased along S1 through S4, while that of bacteria decreased. Brines of S3 and S4 were dominated by specialized extreme halophilic bacterial (Halanaerobiales, Rhodothermaceae) and archaeal (Halobacteriales, Haloferacales) members with recognized salt-in strategy for osmoadaptation. Microbial assemblages positively correlated to saltern pH, total salinity, and ionic composition. Archaea in S1 and S2 were unprecedentedly represented by poorly known as-yet uncultivated groups, Woesearchaeota (90.35-93.51%) and Nanohaloarchaeota that belong to the newly proposed nano-sized superphylum DPANN. In fact, these taxa were identified in archaeal datasets of other athalassohaline salterns after re-analysis using latest RDP database. Thus, microbial compositions in hypersaline lakes are complex and need revisit particularly for their archaeal diversity to understand their hitherto unknown ecological function in extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanta Pal
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Botany (DST-FIST and UGC-DRS Funded), Institute of Science, Visva-Bharati (A Central University), Santiniketan, West Bengal, 731235, India
| | - Raju Biswas
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Botany (DST-FIST and UGC-DRS Funded), Institute of Science, Visva-Bharati (A Central University), Santiniketan, West Bengal, 731235, India
| | - Arijit Misra
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Botany (DST-FIST and UGC-DRS Funded), Institute of Science, Visva-Bharati (A Central University), Santiniketan, West Bengal, 731235, India
| | - Abhijit Sar
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Botany (DST-FIST and UGC-DRS Funded), Institute of Science, Visva-Bharati (A Central University), Santiniketan, West Bengal, 731235, India
| | - Sohini Banerjee
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Botany (DST-FIST and UGC-DRS Funded), Institute of Science, Visva-Bharati (A Central University), Santiniketan, West Bengal, 731235, India.,Present address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Puja Mukherjee
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Botany (DST-FIST and UGC-DRS Funded), Institute of Science, Visva-Bharati (A Central University), Santiniketan, West Bengal, 731235, India
| | - Bomba Dam
- Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Botany (DST-FIST and UGC-DRS Funded), Institute of Science, Visva-Bharati (A Central University), Santiniketan, West Bengal, 731235, India.
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Abstract
The brines of natural salt lakes with total salt concentrations exceeding 30% are often colored red by dense communities of halophilic microorganisms. Such red brines are found in the north arm of Great Salt Lake, Utah, in the alkaline hypersaline lakes of the African Rift Valley, and in the crystallizer ponds of coastal and inland salterns where salt is produced by evaporation of seawater or some other source of saline water. Red blooms were also reported in the Dead Sea in the past. Different types of pigmented microorganisms may contribute to the coloration of the brines. The most important are the halophilic archaea of the class Halobacteria that contain bacterioruberin carotenoids as well as bacteriorhodopsin and other retinal pigments, β-carotene-rich species of the unicellular green algal genus Dunaliella and bacteria of the genus Salinibacter (class Rhodothermia) that contain the carotenoid salinixanthin and the retinal protein xanthorhodopsin. Densities of prokaryotes in red brines often exceed 2-3×107 cells/mL. I here review the information on the biota of the red brines, the interactions between the organisms present, as well as the possible roles of the red halophilic microorganisms in the salt production process and some applied aspects of carotenoids and retinal proteins produced by the different types of halophiles inhabiting the red brines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aharon Oren
- The Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Lu H, Pei C, Zhou H, Lü Y, He Y, Li Y, Han J, Xiang H, Eichler J, Jin C. Agl22 and Agl23 are involved in the synthesis and utilization of the lipid‐linked intermediates in the glycosylation pathways of the halophilic archaeaonHaloarcula hispanica. Mol Microbiol 2020; 114:762-774. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hua Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Caixia Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Hui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Yang Lü
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Yun He
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Tumor Immunology Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences Jiangsu Laboratory of Infection Immunity Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Yunsen Li
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Tumor Immunology Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences Jiangsu Laboratory of Infection Immunity Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Jing Han
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Hua Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Jerry Eichler
- Department of Life Sciences Ben Gurion University of the Negev Beersheva Israel
| | - Cheng Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
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Symbiosis between nanohaloarchaeon and haloarchaeon is based on utilization of different polysaccharides. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:20223-20234. [PMID: 32759215 PMCID: PMC7443923 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2007232117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on cultivation and characterization of an association between Candidatus Nanohalobium constans and its host, the chitinotrophic haloarchaeon Halomicrobium LC1Hm, obtained from a crystallizer pond of marine solar salterns. High-quality nanohaloarchael genome sequence in conjunction with electron- and fluorescence microscopy, growth analysis, and proteomic and metabolomic data revealed mutually beneficial interactions between two archaea, and allowed dissection of the mechanisms for these interactions. Owing to their ubiquity in hypersaline environments, Nanohaloarchaeota may play a role in carbon turnover and ecosystem functioning, yet insights into the nature of this have been lacking. Here, we provide evidence that nanohaloarchaea can expand the range of available substrates for the haloarchaeon, suggesting that the ectosymbiont increases the metabolic capacity of the host. Nano-sized archaeota, with their small genomes and limited metabolic capabilities, are known to associate with other microbes, thereby compensating for their own auxotrophies. These diminutive and yet ubiquitous organisms thrive in hypersaline habitats that they share with haloarchaea. Here, we reveal the genetic and physiological nature of a nanohaloarchaeon–haloarchaeon association, with both microbes obtained from a solar saltern and reproducibly cultivated together in vitro. The nanohaloarchaeon Candidatus Nanohalobium constans LC1Nh is an aerotolerant, sugar-fermenting anaerobe, lacking key anabolic machinery and respiratory complexes. The nanohaloarchaeon cells are found physically connected to the chitinolytic haloarchaeon Halomicrobium sp. LC1Hm. Our experiments revealed that this haloarchaeon can hydrolyze chitin outside the cell (to produce the monosaccharide N-acetylglucosamine), using this beta-glucan to obtain carbon and energy for growth. However, LC1Hm could not metabolize either glycogen or starch (both alpha-glucans) or other polysaccharides tested. Remarkably, the nanohaloarchaeon’s ability to hydrolyze glycogen and starch to glucose enabled growth of Halomicrobium sp. LC1Hm in the absence of a chitin. These findings indicated that the nanohaloarchaeon–haloarchaeon association is both mutualistic and symbiotic; in this case, each microbe relies on its partner’s ability to degrade different polysaccharides. This suggests, in turn, that other nano-sized archaeota may also be beneficial for their hosts. Given that availability of carbon substrates can vary both spatially and temporarily, the susceptibility of Halomicrobium to colonization by Ca. Nanohalobium can be interpreted as a strategy to maximize the long-term fitness of the host.
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