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Noetzel J, Schienbein P, Forbert H, Marx D. Solvation Properties of Neutral Gold Species in Supercritical Water Studied By THz Spectroscopy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202402120. [PMID: 38695846 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202402120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Supercritical water provides distinctly different solvation properties compared to what is known from liquid water. Despite its prevalence deep in the Earth's crust and its role in chemosynthetic ecosystems in the vicinity of hydrothermal vents, molecular insights into its solvation mechanisms are still very scarce compared to what is known for liquid water. Recently, neutral metal particles have been detected in hydrothermal fluids and proposed to explain the transport of gold species to ore deposits on Earth. Using ab initio molecular dynamics, we elucidate the solvation properties of small gold species at supercritical conditions. The neutral metal clusters themselves contribute enormous THz intensity not because of their intramolecular vibrations, but due to their pronounced electronic polarization coupling to the dynamical supercritical solvent, leading to a continuum absorption up to about 1000 cm-1. On top, long-lived interactions between the gold clusters and solvation water leads at these supercritical conditions to a sharp THz resonance that happens to be close to the one due to H-bonding in liquid water at ambient conditions. The resulting distinct resonances can be used to analyse the solvation properties of neutral metal particles in supercritical aqueous solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Noetzel
- Lehrstuhl für Theoretische Chemie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780, Bochum
| | - Philipp Schienbein
- Lehrstuhl für Theoretische Chemie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780, Bochum
- Present Address, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Harald Forbert
- Center for Solvation Science ZEMOS, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780, Bochum
| | - Dominik Marx
- Lehrstuhl für Theoretische Chemie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780, Bochum
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2
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Benammar L, Menasria T, Dibi AR. Deciphering the geochemical influences on bacterial diversity and communities among two Algerian hot springs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:44848-44862. [PMID: 38954336 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34123-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Northeastern Algeria boasts numerous hot springs, yet these hydrothermal sites remain largely unexplored for their microbial ecology. The present study explores the bacterial abundance and diversity within two distinct Algerian hot springs (Hammam Saïda and Hammam Debagh) and investigates the link between the prevailing bacteria with geochemical parameters. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing of water and sediment samples revealed a bacterial dominance of 99.85-91.16% compared to Archaea (0.14-0.66%) in both springs. Interestingly, Saïda hot spring, characterized by higher temperatures and sodium content, harbored a community dominated by Pseudomonadota (51.13%), whereas Debagh, a Ca-Cl-SO4 type spring, was primarily populated by Bacillota with 55.33%. Bacteroidota displayed even distribution across both sites. Additional phyla, including Chloroflexota, Deinococcota, Cyanobacteriota, and Chlorobiota, were also present. Environmental factors, particularly temperature, sodium, potassium, and alkalinity, significantly influenced bacterial diversity and composition. These findings shed light on the interplay between distinct microbial communities and their associated geochemical properties, providing valuable insights for future research on biogeochemical processes in these unique ecosystems driven by distinct environmental conditions, including potential applications in bioremediation and enzyme discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Benammar
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Batna 2, 05078, Batna, Algeria
| | - Taha Menasria
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Batna 2, 05078, Batna, Algeria.
| | - Amira Rayenne Dibi
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Batna 2, 05078, Batna, Algeria
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3
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Williamson MP. Autocatalytic Selection as a Driver for the Origin of Life. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:590. [PMID: 38792611 PMCID: PMC11122578 DOI: 10.3390/life14050590] [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: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was revolutionary because it provided a mechanism by which variation could be selected. This mechanism can only operate on living systems and thus cannot be applied to the origin of life. Here, we propose a viable alternative mechanism for prebiotic systems: autocatalytic selection, in which molecules catalyze reactions and processes that lead to increases in their concentration. Crucially, this provides a driver for increases in concentrations of molecules to a level that permits prebiotic metabolism. We show how this can produce high levels of amino acids, sugar phosphates, nucleotides and lipids and then lead on to polymers. Our outline is supported by a set of guidelines to support the identification of the most likely prebiotic routes. Most of the steps in this pathway are already supported by experimental results. These proposals generate a coherent and viable set of pathways that run from established Hadean geochemistry to the beginning of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike P Williamson
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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4
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Tyagi P, Tyagi S, Stewart L, Glickman S. SWOT and Root Cause Analyses of Antimicrobial Resistance to Oral Antimicrobial Treatment of Cystitis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:328. [PMID: 38667004 PMCID: PMC11047466 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13040328] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Nearly 150 million cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs) are reported each year, of which uncomplicated cystitis triggers > 25% of outpatient prescriptions of oral antimicrobial treatment (OAT). OAT aids immune cells infiltrating the urothelium in eliminating uropathogens capable of invading the urothelium and surviving hyperosmotic urine. This self-evident adaptability of uropathogens and the short interval between the introduction of Penicillin and the first report of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) implicate AMR as an evolutionary conserved heritable trait of mutant strains selected by the Darwinian principle to survive environmental threats through exponential proliferation. Therefore, AMR can only be countered by antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) following the principle of the five Ds-drug, dose, duration, drug route, and de-escalation. While convenient to administer, the onset of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for OAT in urine leaves a window of opportunity for uropathogens to survive the first contact with an antimicrobial and arm their descendant colonies with AMR for surviving subsequent higher urine antimicrobial levels. Meanwhile, the initial dose of intravesical antimicrobial treatment (IAT) may be well above the MIC. Therefore, the widespread clinical use of OAT for cystitis warrants an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunity, and threats (SWOTs) and a root cause analysis of the AMR associated with OAT and IAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Tyagi
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Shachi Tyagi
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA;
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Willemssens KA, Bowley JL, Cavallini L, Oberg E, Peterson RKD, Higley LG. Habitat Characteristics, Distribution, and Abundance of Cicindelidia haemorrhagica (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) in Yellowstone National Park. INSECTS 2023; 15:15. [PMID: 38249021 PMCID: PMC10816054 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
We observed the tiger beetle species, Cicindelidia haemorrhagica (LeConte), foraging in and reproducing near the thermal pools of Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Although this species was recorded in YNP more than 130 years ago, its distribution, ecology, and association with thermal features are unknown. Therefore, we examined the distribution and habitat characteristics of C. haemorrhagica and evaluated methods for studying its abundance. Given the extreme environments in which these beetles live, typical methods to estimate abundance are challenging. We used a series of presence/absence studies and observations to assess distribution and recorded temperature and pH measurements to determine habitat characteristics. We also conducted visual counts, light trapping, and mark/recapture experiments to assess abundance. The inability to capture C. haemorrhagica with lights led to a phototaxis experiment, which showed minimal attraction to light. Cicindelidia haemorrhagica was found throughout YNP, but it was exclusively associated with thermal springs. The thermal springs ranged from pH 2.7 to 9.0 with temperatures from 29.1 to 75.0 °C and had varying metal concentrations in soil and water. However, all thermal springs with C. haemorrhagica had barren soil with a gradual slope toward the thermal water. Specifically, habitats were thermal pools with gradual margins (a less than five-degree slope) and thermal (i.e., heated) soils for larval burrows by thermal springs or pools. Population sizes of C. haemorrhagica ranged between 500 and 1500 individuals based on visual counts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John L. Bowley
- Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (J.L.B.); (L.C.); (R.K.D.P.)
| | - Laissa Cavallini
- Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (J.L.B.); (L.C.); (R.K.D.P.)
| | - Erik Oberg
- National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA;
| | - Robert K. D. Peterson
- Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; (J.L.B.); (L.C.); (R.K.D.P.)
| | - Leon G. Higley
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68198, USA;
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He Z, Lou Y, Zhang H, Han X, Pähtz T, Jiao P, Hu P, Zhou Y, Wang Y, Qiu Z. The role of hydrodynamics for the spatial distribution of high-temperature hydrothermal vent-endemic fauna in the deep ocean environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166714. [PMID: 37659550 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Active hydrothermal vents provide the surrounding submarine environment with substantial amounts of matter and energy, thus serving as important habitats for diverse megabenthic communities in the deep ocean and constituting a unique, highly productive chemosynthetic ecosystem on Earth. Vent-endemic biological communities gather near the venting site and are usually not found beyond a distance of the order of 100 m from the vent. This is surprising because one would actually expect matter ejected from high-temperature vents, which generate highly turbulent buoyancy plumes, to be suspended and carried far away by the plume flows and deep-sea currents. Here, we study this problem from a fluid dynamics perspective by simulating the vent hydrodynamics using a numerical model that couples the plume flow with induced matter and energy transport. We find that both low- and high-temperature vents deposit most vent matter relatively close to the plume. In particular, the tendency of turbulent buoyancy plumes to carry matter far away is strongly counteracted by generated entrainment flows back into the plume stem. The deposition ranges of organic and inorganic hydrothermal particles obtained from the simulations for various natural high-temperature vents are consistent with the observed maximum spatial extent of biological communities, evidencing that plume hydrodynamics exercises strong control over the spatial distribution of vent-endemic fauna. While other factors affecting the spatial distribution of vent-endemic fauna, such as geology and geochemistry, are site-specific, the main physical features of plume hydrodynamics unraveled in this study are largely site-unspecific and therefore universal across vent sites on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiguo He
- Ocean College & Engineering Research Center of Oceanic Sensing Technology and Equipment of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China; Hainan Institution, Zhejiang University, Sanya 572000, China.
| | - Yingzhong Lou
- Ocean College & Engineering Research Center of Oceanic Sensing Technology and Equipment of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Haoyang Zhang
- Ocean College & Engineering Research Center of Oceanic Sensing Technology and Equipment of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
| | - Xiqiu Han
- Ocean College & Engineering Research Center of Oceanic Sensing Technology and Equipment of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China; Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences & Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Thomas Pähtz
- Ocean College & Engineering Research Center of Oceanic Sensing Technology and Equipment of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China.
| | - Pengcheng Jiao
- Ocean College & Engineering Research Center of Oceanic Sensing Technology and Equipment of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China; Hainan Institution, Zhejiang University, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Peng Hu
- Ocean College & Engineering Research Center of Oceanic Sensing Technology and Equipment of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan 316021, China
| | - Yadong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences & Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Yejian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences & Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Zhongyan Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences & Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
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7
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Kumar S, Najar IN, Sharma P, Tamang S, Mondal K, Das S, Sherpa MT, Thakur N. Temperature - A critical abiotic paradigm that governs bacterial heterogeneity in natural ecological system. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 234:116547. [PMID: 37422118 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
A baseline data has been presented here to prove that among the abiotic factors, temperature is the most critical factor that regulates and governs the bacterial diversity in a natural ecosystem. Present study in Yumesamdong hot springs riverine vicinity (Sikkim), parades a gamut of bacterial communities in it and hosts them from semi-frigid region (- 4-10 °C) to fervid region (50-60 °C) via an intermediate region (25-37 °C) within the same ecosystem. This is an extremely rare intriguing natural ecosystem that has no anthropogenic disturbances nor any artificial regulation of temperature. We scanned the bacterial flora through both the culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques in this naturally complex thermally graded habitat. High-throughput sequencing gave bacterial and archaeal phyla representatives of over 2000 species showcasing their biodiversity. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Chloroflexi were the predominant phyla. A concave down-curve significance was found in temperature-abundance correlation as the number of microbial taxa decreased when the temperature increased from warm (35 °C) to hot (60 °C). Firmicutes showed significant linear increase from cold to hot environment whereas Proteobacteria followed the opposite trend. No significant correlation was observed for physicochemical parameters against the bacterial diversity. However, only temperature has shown significant positive correlation to the predominant phyla at their respective thermal gradients. The antibiotic resistance patterns correlated with temperature gradient where the prevalence of antibiotic resistance was higher in case of mesophiles than that of psychrophiles and there was no resistance in thermophiles. The antibiotic resistant genes obtained were solely from mesophiles as it conferred high resistance at mesophilic conditions enabling them to adapt and metabolically compete for survival. Our study concludes that the temperature is a major factor that plays a significant contribution in shaping the bacterial community structure in any thermal gradient edifice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India
| | - Ishfaq Nabi Najar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India
| | - Prayatna Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India
| | - Sonia Tamang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India
| | - Krishnendu Mondal
- Department of Microbiology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, 721102, India
| | - Sayak Das
- Department of Life Science & Bioinformatics, HK School of Life Sciences, Assam University, Silchar, 788011, Assam, India
| | - Mingma Thundu Sherpa
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India
| | - Nagendra Thakur
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India.
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8
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Leng H, Wang Y, Zhao W, Sievert SM, Xiao X. Identification of a deep-branching thermophilic clade sheds light on early bacterial evolution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4354. [PMID: 37468486 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39960-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been proposed that early bacteria, or even the last universal common ancestor of all cells, were thermophilic. However, research on the origin and evolution of thermophily is hampered by the difficulties associated with the isolation of deep-branching thermophilic microorganisms in pure culture. Here, we isolate a deep-branching thermophilic bacterium from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent, using a two-step cultivation strategy ("Subtraction-Suboptimal", StS) designed to isolate rare organisms. The bacterium, which we name Zhurongbacter thermophilus 3DAC, is a sulfur-reducing heterotroph that is phylogenetically related to Coprothermobacterota and other thermophilic bacterial groups, forming a clade that seems to represent a major, early-diverging bacterial lineage. The ancestor of this clade might be a thermophilic, strictly anaerobic, motile, hydrogen-dependent, and mixotrophic bacterium. Thus, our study provides insights into the early evolution of thermophilic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Leng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- International Center for Deep Life Investigation (IC-DLI), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinzhao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- International Center for Deep Life Investigation (IC-DLI), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weishu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- International Center for Deep Life Investigation (IC-DLI), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Stefan M Sievert
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Xiang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- International Center for Deep Life Investigation (IC-DLI), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.
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9
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Wang J, Qu YN, Evans PN, Guo Q, Zhou F, Nie M, Jin Q, Zhang Y, Zhai X, Zhou M, Yu Z, Fu QL, Xie YG, Hedlund BP, Li WJ, Hua ZS, Wang Z, Wang Y. Evidence for nontraditional mcr-containing archaea contributing to biological methanogenesis in geothermal springs. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg6004. [PMID: 37379385 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg6004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Recent discoveries of methyl-coenzyme M reductase-encoding genes (mcr) in uncultured archaea beyond traditional euryarchaeotal methanogens have reshaped our view of methanogenesis. However, whether any of these nontraditional archaea perform methanogenesis remains elusive. Here, we report field and microcosm experiments based on 13C-tracer labeling and genome-resolved metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, revealing that nontraditional archaea are predominant active methane producers in two geothermal springs. Archaeoglobales performed methanogenesis from methanol and may exhibit adaptability in using methylotrophic and hydrogenotrophic pathways based on temperature/substrate availability. A five-year field survey found Candidatus Nezhaarchaeota to be the predominant mcr-containing archaea inhabiting the springs; genomic inference and mcr expression under methanogenic conditions strongly suggested that this lineage mediated hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis in situ. Methanogenesis was temperature-sensitive , with a preference for methylotrophic over hydrogenotrophic pathways when incubation temperatures increased from 65° to 75°C. This study demonstrates an anoxic ecosystem wherein methanogenesis is primarily driven by archaea beyond known methanogens, highlighting diverse nontraditional mcr-containing archaea as previously unrecognized methane sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yan-Ni Qu
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Paul N Evans
- The Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, QLD, Australia
| | - Qinghai Guo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
| | - Fengwu Zhou
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- College of Geography Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ming Nie
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
- National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qusheng Jin
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xiangmei Zhai
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhiguo Yu
- School of Hydrology and Water Resources, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Qing-Long Fu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
| | - Yuan-Guo Xie
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Brian P Hedlund
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Wen-Jun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zheng-Shuang Hua
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Zimeng Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanxin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Groundwater Quality and Health, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Source Apportionment and Control of Aquatic Pollution, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
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10
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Zhang Y, Liu T, Li MM, Hua ZS, Evans P, Qu Y, Tan S, Zheng M, Lu H, Jiao JY, Lücker S, Daims H, Li WJ, Guo J. Hot spring distribution and survival mechanisms of thermophilic comammox Nitrospira. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023:10.1038/s41396-023-01409-w. [PMID: 37069235 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01409-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
The recent discovery of Nitrospira species capable of complete ammonia oxidation (comammox) in non-marine natural and engineered ecosystems under mesothermal conditions has changed our understanding of microbial nitrification. However, little is known about the occurrence of comammox bacteria or their ability to survive in moderately thermal and/or hyperthermal habitats. Here, we report the wide distribution of comammox Nitrospira in five terrestrial hot springs at temperatures ranging from 36 to 80°C and provide metagenome-assembled genomes of 11 new comammox strains. Interestingly, the identification of dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) in thermophilic comammox Nitrospira lineages suggests that they have versatile ecological functions as both sinks and sources of ammonia, in contrast to the described mesophilic comammox lineages, which lack the DNRA pathway. Furthermore, the in situ expression of key genes associated with nitrogen metabolism, thermal adaptation, and oxidative stress confirmed their ability to survive in the studied hot springs and their contribution to nitrification in these environments. Additionally, the smaller genome size and higher GC content, less polar and more charged amino acids in usage profiles, and the expression of a large number of heat shock proteins compared to mesophilic comammox strains presumably confer tolerance to thermal stress. These novel insights into the occurrence, metabolic activity, and adaptation of comammox Nitrospira in thermal habitats further expand our understanding of the global distribution of comammox Nitrospira and have significant implications for how these unique microorganisms have evolved thermal tolerance strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Meng-Meng 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
| | - Zheng-Shuang Hua
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
| | - Paul Evans
- The Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Yanni 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, China
| | - Sha Tan
- 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
| | - Min Zheng
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Hui Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, 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, China
| | - Sebastian Lücker
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Holger Daims
- Division of Microbial Ecology, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- The Comammox Research Platform, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - 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.
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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11
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Su L, Teske AP, MacGregor BJ, McKay LJ, Mendlovitz H, Albert D, Ma Z, Li J. Thermal Selection of Microbial Communities and Preservation of Microbial Function in Guaymas Basin Hydrothermal Sediments. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0001823. [PMID: 36847505 PMCID: PMC10057036 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00018-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California is characterized by active seafloor spreading, hydrothermal activity, and organic matter accumulation on the seafloor due to high sedimentation rates. In the hydrothermal sediments of Guaymas Basin, microbial community compositions and coexistence patterns change across steep gradients of temperature, potential carbon sources, and electron acceptors. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling and guanine-cytosine percentage analyses reveal that the bacterial and archaeal communities adjust compositionally to their local temperature regime. Functional inference using PICRUSt shows that microbial communities consistently maintain their predicted biogeochemical functions in different sediments. Phylogenetic profiling shows that microbial communities retain distinct sulfate-reducing, methane-oxidizing, or heterotrophic lineages within specific temperature windows. The preservation of similar biogeochemical functions across microbial lineages with different temperature adaptations stabilizes the hydrothermal microbial community in a highly dynamic environment. IMPORTANCE Hydrothermal vent sites have been widely studied to investigate novel bacteria and archaea that are adapted to these extreme environments. However, community-level analyses of hydrothermal microbial ecosystems look beyond the presence and activity of particular types of microbes and examine to what extent the entire community of bacteria and archaea is adapted to hydrothermal conditions; these include elevated temperatures, hydrothermally generated carbon sources, and inorganic electron donors and acceptors that are characteristic for hydrothermal environments. In our case study of bacterial and archaeal communities in hydrothermal sediments of Guaymas Basin, we found that sequence-inferred microbial function was maintained in differently structured bacterial and archaeal communities across different samples and thermal regimes. The resulting preservation of biogeochemical functions across thermal gradients is an important factor in explaining the consistency of the microbial core community in the dynamic sedimentary environment of Guaymas Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Andreas P. Teske
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Barbara J. MacGregor
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Luke J. McKay
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Howard Mendlovitz
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Daniel Albert
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zhonglin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiangtao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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12
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Chen C, Ding PC, Li Z, Shi GQ, Sun Y, Kantorovich LN, Besenbacher F, Yu M. Super‐Robust Xanthine–Sodium Complexes on Au(111). Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202200064. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202200064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chong Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Suzhou University Suzhou 234000 China
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Deptment of Physics and Astronomy Aarhus University Aarhus 8000 Denmark
| | - Pengcheng C. Ding
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
- School of Instrumentation Science and Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
| | - Zhuo Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
| | - Guoqiang Q. Shi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
| | - Ye Sun
- School of Instrumentation Science and Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
| | - Lev N. Kantorovich
- Department of Physics King's College London The Strand London WC2R 2LS UK
| | - Flemming Besenbacher
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Deptment of Physics and Astronomy Aarhus University Aarhus 8000 Denmark
| | - Miao Yu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
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13
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Chen C, Ding PC, Li Z, Shi GQ, Sun Y, Kantorovich LN, Besenbacher F, Yu M. Super‐Robust Xanthine–Sodium Complexes on Au(111). Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202200064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chong Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Suzhou University Suzhou 234000 China
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Deptment of Physics and Astronomy Aarhus University Aarhus 8000 Denmark
| | - Pengcheng C. Ding
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
- School of Instrumentation Science and Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
| | - Zhuo Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
| | - Guoqiang Q. Shi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
| | - Ye Sun
- School of Instrumentation Science and Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
| | - Lev N. Kantorovich
- Department of Physics King's College London The Strand London WC2R 2LS UK
| | - Flemming Besenbacher
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO) and Deptment of Physics and Astronomy Aarhus University Aarhus 8000 Denmark
| | - Miao Yu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin 150001 China
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14
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Microbial Community Composition in Thermal Waters from the Lindian Geothermal Field (Songliao Basin, North-Eastern China). WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14040632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Geothermal systems represent discrete and relatively homogenous habitats for extremophiles; investigation into the microbial community is key to revealing the geochemical environment and the geochemical evolution of fluids in geothermal reservoirs. The reservoir of the Lindian geothermal field in Northeast China, is highly reducing and rich in methane, but the pathways of methane generation and the related microbial community structure are still unclear. In this research, five thermal water samples were collected and tested, and the microbial community structure and diversity were analyzed. The results show that in the sandstone reservoir belonging to the low-temperature (reservoir temperature < 90°C) brackish water (total dissolved solids concentration between 1000 and 10,000 mg/L) environment, the richness of the microbial community is relatively high. The microbial community structure is different from other geothermal systems reported but similar to that of oilfields, which may be related to the highly reducing geochemical environment with abundant organic matter. According to the analysis of archaeal function, the biogas production in the Lindian geothermal field is dominated by hydrogen nutrition type methane production, while the H2 reducing methylamine type methane production is secondary, and results of Pearson correlation show that the archaeal communities are more strongly correlated to physicochemical factors than the bacterial communities.
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15
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Ecological and Biotechnological Relevance of Mediterranean Hydrothermal Vent Systems. MINERALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/min12020251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Marine hydrothermal systems are a special kind of extreme environments associated with submarine volcanic activity and characterized by harsh chemo-physical conditions, in terms of hot temperature, high concentrations of CO2 and H2S, and low pH. Such conditions strongly impact the living organisms, which have to develop adaptation strategies to survive. Hydrothermal systems have attracted the interest of researchers due to their enormous ecological and biotechnological relevance. From ecological perspective, these acidified habitats are useful natural laboratories to predict the effects of global environmental changes, such as ocean acidification at ecosystem level, through the observation of the marine organism responses to environmental extremes. In addition, hydrothermal vents are known as optimal sources for isolation of thermophilic and hyperthermophilic microbes, with biotechnological potential. This double aspect is the focus of this review, which aims at providing a picture of the ecological features of the main Mediterranean hydrothermal vents. The physiological responses, abundance, and distribution of biotic components are elucidated, by focusing on the necto-benthic fauna and prokaryotic communities recognized to possess pivotal role in the marine ecosystem dynamics and as indicator species. The scientific interest in hydrothermal vents will be also reviewed by pointing out their relevance as source of bioactive molecules.
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16
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Nirody JA, Budin I, Rangamani P. ATP synthase: Evolution, energetics, and membrane interactions. J Gen Physiol 2021; 152:152111. [PMID: 32966553 PMCID: PMC7594442 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201912475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of ATP, life’s “universal energy currency,” is the most prevalent chemical reaction in biological systems and is responsible for fueling nearly all cellular processes, from nerve impulse propagation to DNA synthesis. ATP synthases, the family of enzymes that carry out this endless task, are nearly as ubiquitous as the energy-laden molecule they are responsible for making. The F-type ATP synthase (F-ATPase) is found in every domain of life and has facilitated the survival of organisms in a wide range of habitats, ranging from the deep-sea thermal vents to the human intestine. Accordingly, there has been a large amount of work dedicated toward understanding the structural and functional details of ATP synthases in a wide range of species. Less attention, however, has been paid toward integrating these advances in ATP synthase molecular biology within the context of its evolutionary history. In this review, we present an overview of several structural and functional features of the F-type ATPases that vary across taxa and are purported to be adaptive or otherwise evolutionarily significant: ion channel selectivity, rotor ring size and stoichiometry, ATPase dimeric structure and localization in the mitochondrial inner membrane, and interactions with membrane lipids. We emphasize the importance of studying these features within the context of the enzyme’s particular lipid environment. Just as the interactions between an organism and its physical environment shape its evolutionary trajectory, ATPases are impacted by the membranes within which they reside. We argue that a comprehensive understanding of the structure, function, and evolution of membrane proteins—including ATP synthase—requires such an integrative approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine A Nirody
- Center for Studies in Physics and Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY.,All Souls College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Itay Budin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Padmini Rangamani
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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17
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Bendia AG, Lemos LN, Mendes LW, Signori CN, Bohannan BJM, Pellizari VH. Metabolic potential and survival strategies of microbial communities across extreme temperature gradients on Deception Island volcano, Antarctica. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:4054-4073. [PMID: 34245102 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Active volcanoes in Antarctica have remarkable temperature and geochemical gradients that could select for a wide variety of microbial adaptive mechanisms and metabolic pathways. Deception Island is a stratovolcano flooded by the sea, resulting in contrasting ecosystems such as permanent glaciers and active fumaroles, which creates steep gradients that have been shown to affect microbial diversity. In this study, we used shotgun metagenomics and metagenome-assembled genomes to explore the metabolic potentials and survival strategies of microbial communities along an extreme temperature gradient in fumarole and glacier sediments on Deception Island. We observed that communities from a 98 °C fumarole were significantly enriched in genes related to hyperthermophilic (e.g. reverse gyrase, GroEL/GroES and thermosome) and oxidative stress responses, as well as genes related to sulfate reduction, ammonification and carbon fixation. Communities from <80 °C fumaroles possessed more genes related osmotic, cold- and heat-shock responses, and diverse metabolic potentials, such as those related to sulfur oxidation and denitrification, while glacier communities showed abundant metabolic potentials mainly related to heterotrophy. Through the reconstruction of genomes, we were able to reveal the metabolic potentials and different survival strategies of underrepresented taxonomic groups, especially those related to Nanoarchaeota, Pyrodictiaceae and thermophilic ammonia-oxidizing archaeal lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Gonçalves Bendia
- Departamento de Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05508-120, Brazil
| | - Leandro Nascimento Lemos
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Centenário 303, Piracicaba, SP, CEP 13416-00, Brazil
| | - Lucas William Mendes
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Centenário 303, Piracicaba, SP, CEP 13416-00, Brazil
| | - Camila Negrão Signori
- Departamento de Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05508-120, Brazil
| | - Brendan J M Bohannan
- Department of Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Vivian Helena Pellizari
- Departamento de Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05508-120, Brazil
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18
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Łubkowska B, Jeżewska-Frąckowiak J, Sobolewski I, Skowron PM. Bacteriophages of Thermophilic ' Bacillus Group' Bacteria-A Review. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1522. [PMID: 34361957 PMCID: PMC8303945 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteriophages of thermophiles are of increasing interest owing to their important roles in many biogeochemical, ecological processes and in biotechnology applications, including emerging bionanotechnology. However, due to lack of in-depth investigation, they are underrepresented in the known prokaryotic virosphere. Therefore, there is a considerable potential for the discovery of novel bacteriophage-host systems in various environments: marine and terrestrial hot springs, compost piles, soil, industrial hot waters, among others. This review aims at providing a reference compendium of thermophages characterized thus far, which infect the species of thermophilic 'Bacillus group' bacteria, mostly from Geobacillus sp. We have listed 56 thermophages, out of which the majority belong to the Siphoviridae family, others belong to the Myoviridae and Podoviridae families and, apparently, a few belong to the Sphaerolipoviridae, Tectiviridae or Corticoviridae families. All of their genomes are composed of dsDNA, either linear, circular or circularly permuted. Fourteen genomes have been sequenced; their sizes vary greatly from 35,055 bp to an exceptionally large genome of 160,590 bp. We have also included our unpublished data on TP-84, which infects Geobacillus stearothermophilus (G. stearothermophilus). Since the TP-84 genome sequence shows essentially no similarity to any previously characterized bacteriophage, we have defined TP-84 as a new species in the newly proposed genus Tp84virus within the Siphoviridae family. The information summary presented here may be helpful in comparative deciphering of the molecular basis of the thermophages' biology, biotechnology and in analyzing the environmental aspects of the thermophages' effect on the thermophile community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Łubkowska
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (J.J.-F.); (I.S.); (P.M.S.)
- The High School of Health in Gdansk, Pelplinska 7, 80-335 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Joanna Jeżewska-Frąckowiak
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (J.J.-F.); (I.S.); (P.M.S.)
| | - Ireneusz Sobolewski
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (J.J.-F.); (I.S.); (P.M.S.)
| | - Piotr M. Skowron
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland; (J.J.-F.); (I.S.); (P.M.S.)
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19
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Zeng X, Alain K, Shao Z. Microorganisms from deep-sea hydrothermal vents. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 3:204-230. [PMID: 37073341 PMCID: PMC10077256 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-020-00086-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
With a rich variety of chemical energy sources and steep physical and chemical gradients, hydrothermal vent systems offer a range of habitats to support microbial life. Cultivation-dependent and independent studies have led to an emerging view that diverse microorganisms in deep-sea hydrothermal vents live their chemolithoautotrophic, heterotrophic, or mixotrophic life with versatile metabolic strategies. Biogeochemical processes are mediated by microorganisms, and notably, processes involving or coupling the carbon, sulfur, hydrogen, nitrogen, and metal cycles in these unique ecosystems. Here, we review the taxonomic and physiological diversity of microbial prokaryotic life from cosmopolitan to endemic taxa and emphasize their significant roles in the biogeochemical processes in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. According to the physiology of the targeted taxa and their needs inferred from meta-omics data, the media for selective cultivation can be designed with a wide range of physicochemical conditions such as temperature, pH, hydrostatic pressure, electron donors and acceptors, carbon sources, nitrogen sources, and growth factors. The application of novel cultivation techniques with real-time monitoring of microbial diversity and metabolic substrates and products are also recommended. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-020-00086-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biogenetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005 China
- LIA/IRP 1211 MicrobSea, Sino-French International Laboratory of Deep-Sea Microbiology, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Karine Alain
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes LM2E UMR6197, Univ Brest, CNRS, IFREMER, F-29280 Plouzané, France
- LIA/IRP 1211 MicrobSea, Sino-French International Laboratory of Deep-Sea Microbiology, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Zongze Shao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biogenetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen, 361005 China
- LIA/IRP 1211 MicrobSea, Sino-French International Laboratory of Deep-Sea Microbiology, 29280 Plouzané, France
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20
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Kring DA, Whitehouse MJ, Schmieder M. Microbial Sulfur Isotope Fractionation in the Chicxulub Hydrothermal System. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:103-114. [PMID: 33124879 PMCID: PMC7826424 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Target lithologies and post-impact hydrothermal mineral assemblages in a new 1.3 km deep core from the peak ring of the Chicxulub impact crater indicate sulfate reduction was a potential energy source for a microbial ecosystem (Kring et al., 2020). That sulfate was metabolized is confirmed here by microscopic pyrite framboids with δ34S values of -5 to -35 ‰ and ΔSsulfate-sulfide values between pyrite and source sulfate of 25 to 54 ‰, which are indicative of biologic fractionation rather than inorganic fractionation processes. These data indicate the Chicxulub impact crater and its hydrothermal system hosted a subsurface microbial community in porous permeable niches within the crater's peak ring.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Kring
- Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Martin Schmieder
- Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association, Houston, Texas, USA
- HNU–Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Neu-Ulm, Germany
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21
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François DX, Godfroy A, Mathien C, Aubé J, Cathalot C, Lesongeur F, L'Haridon S, Philippon X, Roussel EG. Persephonella atlantica sp. nov.: How to adapt to physico-chemical gradients in high temperature hydrothermal habitats. Syst Appl Microbiol 2020; 44:126176. [PMID: 33422731 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2020.126176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A novel thermophilic, microaerophilic and anaerobic, hydrogen- sulphur- and thiosulphate-oxidising bacterium, designated MO1340T, was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal chimney collected from the Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Cells were short, motile rods of 1.4-2.2μm length and 0.5-0.8μm width. Optimal growth was observed for a NaCl concentration of 2.5 % (w/v) at pH 6.5. As for other members of the genus Persephonella, strain MO1340T was strictly chemolithoautotrophic and could oxidise hydrogen, elemental sulphur or thiosulphate using oxygen as electron acceptor. Anaerobic nitrate reduction using hydrogen could also be performed. Each catabolic reaction had a different optimal growth temperature (65 to 75°C) and an optimal dissolved oxygen concentration (11.4 to 119.7 μM at 70°C for aerobic reactions) that varied according to the electron donors utilised. These experimental results are consistent with the distribution of these catabolic substrates along the temperature gradient observed in active hydrothermal systems. They strongly suggest that this adaptive strategy could confer a selective advantage for strain MO1340T in the dynamic part of the ecosystem where hot, reduced hydrothermal fluid mixes with cold, oxygenated seawater. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain MO1340T was a member of the genus Persephonella within the order Hydrogenothermales as it shared a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity <95.5 % and ANI respectively 75.66 % with closest described Persephonella (P. hydrogeniphila 29WT). On the basis of the physiological and genomic properties of the new isolate, the name Persephonella atlantica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MO1340T (=UBOCC-M-3359T =JCM 34026T).
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Affiliation(s)
- David X François
- Univ Brest, Ifremer, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes UMR6197, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Anne Godfroy
- Univ Brest, Ifremer, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes UMR6197, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Clémentine Mathien
- Univ Brest, Ifremer, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes UMR6197, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Johanne Aubé
- Univ Brest, Ifremer, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes UMR6197, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Cécile Cathalot
- Ifremer, Laboratoire Cycle Géochimique et Ressources (LCG/GM/REM), F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Françoise Lesongeur
- Univ Brest, Ifremer, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes UMR6197, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Stéphane L'Haridon
- Univ Brest, Ifremer, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes UMR6197, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Xavier Philippon
- Univ Brest, Ifremer, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes UMR6197, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Erwan G Roussel
- Univ Brest, Ifremer, CNRS, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes UMR6197, F-29280, Plouzané, France.
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22
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Abstract
Diatoms inhabiting terrestrial habitats that are affected by thermal activity remain poorly studied, despite significant interest in the biodiversity of hot springs. The Kamchatka peninsula is characterized by the presence of 30 active volcanoes associated with hydrotherms. Our study involved a survey of diatom diversity in soils around the Malki, Upper Paratunka, and Dachnie thermal springs on the Kamchatka peninsula. A total of 49 diatom taxa were found. The genera Pinnularia, Planothidium, Fragilariforma, Epithemia, Halamphora, Gomphonema, Nitzschia, Aulocoseira, Sellaphora, Surirella, and Navicula were the most common. Pinnularia cf. subcapitata and Planothidium lanceolatum were dominant in all springs. Diatom communities in the soils near the thermal springs included both aquatic and terrestrial species, which may reflect the transitional nature of habitats at the borders of hot springs and soils. To gain a better understanding of the diversity of diatom communities in soils near thermal springs, broader worldwide studies are necessary.
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23
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Abiotic redox reactions in hydrothermal mixing zones: Decreased energy availability for the subsurface biosphere. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:20453-20461. [PMID: 32817473 PMCID: PMC7456078 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2003108117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrothermal fluid geochemistry exerts a key control on subseafloor microbial community structure and function. However, the effects of microbial metabolic activity, thermal decomposition of biomass, and abiotic reactions on geochemistry remain unconstrained. Depletions in molecular hydrogen and enrichments in methane in submarine hydrothermal mixing zones have been interpreted to reflect the influence of an active subseafloor biosphere. In contrast, our work reveals that these chemical shifts are driven by abiotic and thermogenic processes at temperatures beyond the limit for life. These findings have critical implications for constraining the extent to which global geochemical cycles can sustain a deep biosphere, and for the global molecular hydrogen budget. Subseafloor mixing of high-temperature hot-spring fluids with cold seawater creates intermediate-temperature diffuse fluids that are replete with potential chemical energy. This energy can be harnessed by a chemosynthetic biosphere that permeates hydrothermal regions on Earth. Shifts in the abundance of redox-reactive species in diffuse fluids are often interpreted to reflect the direct influence of subseafloor microbial activity on fluid geochemical budgets. Here, we examine hydrothermal fluids venting at 44 to 149 °C at the Piccard hydrothermal field that span the canonical 122 °C limit to life, and thus provide a rare opportunity to study the transition between habitable and uninhabitable environments. In contrast with previous studies, we show that hydrocarbons are contributed by biomass pyrolysis, while abiotic sulfate (SO42−) reduction produces large depletions in H2. The latter process consumes energy that could otherwise support key metabolic strategies employed by the subseafloor biosphere. Available Gibbs free energy is reduced by 71 to 86% across the habitable temperature range for both hydrogenotrophic SO42− reduction to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction to methane (CH4). The abiotic H2 sink we identify has implications for the productivity of subseafloor microbial ecosystems and is an important process to consider within models of H2 production and consumption in young oceanic crust.
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Podar PT, Yang Z, Björnsdóttir SH, Podar M. Comparative Analysis of Microbial Diversity Across Temperature Gradients in Hot Springs From Yellowstone and Iceland. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1625. [PMID: 32760379 PMCID: PMC7372906 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Geothermal hot springs are a natural setting to study microbial adaptation to a wide range of temperatures reaching up to boiling. Temperature gradients lead to distinct microbial communities that inhabit their optimum niches. We sampled three alkaline, high temperature (80-100°C) hot springs in Yellowstone and Iceland that had cooling outflows and whose microbial communities had not been studied previously. The microbial composition in sediments and mats was determined by DNA sequencing of rRNA gene amplicons. Over three dozen phyla of Archaea and Bacteria were identified, representing over 1700 distinct organisms. We observed a significant non-linear reduction in the number of microbial taxa as the temperature increased from warm (38°C) to boiling. At high taxonomic levels, the community structure was similar between the Yellowstone and Iceland hot springs. We identified potential endemism at the genus level, especially in thermophilic phototrophs, which may have been potentially driven by distinct environmental conditions and dispersal limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter T. Podar
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Zamin Yang
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | | | - Mircea Podar
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
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Prevalent pH Controls the Capacity of Galdieria maxima to Use Ammonia and Nitrate as a Nitrogen Source. PLANTS 2020; 9:plants9020232. [PMID: 32054108 PMCID: PMC7076501 DOI: 10.3390/plants9020232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Galdieria maxima is a polyextremophilic alga capable of diverse metabolic processes. Ammonia is widely used in culture media typical of laboratory growth. Recent reports that this species can grow on wastes promote the concept that G. maxima might have biotechnological utility. Accordingly, there is a need to know the range of pH levels that can support G. maxima growth in a given nitrogen source. Here, we examined the combined effect of pH and nitrate/ammonium source on the growth and long-term response of the photochemical process to a pH gradient in different G. maxima strains. All were able to use differing nitrogen sources, despite both the growth rate and photochemical activity were significantly affected by the combination with the pH. All strains acidified the NH4+-medium (pH < 3) except G. maxima IPPAS P507. Under nitrate at pH ≥ 6.5, no strain was able to acidify the medium; noteworthy, G. maxima ACUF551 showed a good growth performance under nitrate at pH 5, despite the alkalization of the medium.
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Dick GJ. The microbiomes of deep-sea hydrothermal vents: distributed globally, shaped locally. Nat Rev Microbiol 2020; 17:271-283. [PMID: 30867583 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-019-0160-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of chemosynthetic ecosystems at deep-sea hydrothermal vents in 1977 changed our view of biology. Chemosynthetic bacteria and archaea form the foundation of vent ecosystems by exploiting the chemical disequilibrium between reducing hydrothermal fluids and oxidizing seawater, harnessing this energy to fix inorganic carbon into biomass. Recent research has uncovered fundamental aspects of these microbial communities, including their relationships with underlying geology and hydrothermal geochemistry, interactions with animals via symbiosis and distribution both locally in various habitats within vent fields and globally across hydrothermal systems in diverse settings. Although 'black smokers' and symbioses between microorganisms and macrofauna attract much attention owing to their novelty and the insights they provide into life under extreme conditions, habitats such as regions of diffuse flow, subseafloor aquifers and hydrothermal plumes have important roles in the global cycling of elements through hydrothermal systems. Owing to sharp contrasts in physical and chemical conditions between these various habitats and their dynamic, extreme and geographically isolated nature, hydrothermal vents provide a valuable window into the environmental and ecological forces that shape microbial communities and insights into the limits, origins and evolution of microbial life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J Dick
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Polgári M, Gyollai I, Fintor K, Horváth H, Pál-Molnár E, Biondi JC. Microbially Mediated Ore-Forming Processes and Cell Mineralization. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2731. [PMID: 31849883 PMCID: PMC6902787 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sedimentary black shale-hosted manganese carbonate and oxide ores were studied by high-resolution in situ detailed optical and cathodoluminescence microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy to determine microbial contribution in metallogenesis. This study of the Urucum Mn deposit in Brazil is included as a case study for microbially mediated ore-forming processes. The results were compared and interpreted in a comparative way, and the data were elaborated by a complex, structural hierarchical method. The first syngenetic products of microbial enzymatic oxidation were ferrihydrite and lepidocrocite on the Fe side, and vernadite, todorokite, birnessite, and manganite on the Mn side, formed under obligatory oxic (Mn) and suboxic (Fe) conditions and close to neutral pH. Fe- and Mn-oxidizing bacteria played a basic role in metallogenesis based on microtextural features, bioindicator minerals, and embedded variable organic matter. Trace element content is determined by source of elements and microbial activity. The present Urucum (Brazil), Datangpo (China), and Úrkút (Hungary) deposits are the result of complex diagenetic processes, which include the decomposition and mineralization of cell and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of Fe and Mn bacteria and cyanobacteria. Heterotrophic cell colonies activated randomly in the microbialite sediment after burial in suboxic neutral/alkaline conditions, forming Mn carbonates and variable cation-bearing oxides side by side with lithification and stabilization of minerals. Deposits of variable geological ages and geographical occurrences show strong similarities and indicate two-step microbial metallogenesis: a primary chemolithoautotrophic, and a diagenetic heterotrophic microbial cycle, influenced strongly by mineralization of cells and EPSs. These processes perform a basic role in controlling major and trace element distribution in sedimentary environments on a global level and place biogeochemical constraints on the element content of natural waters, precipitation of minerals, and water contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márta Polgári
- Research Centre for Astronomy and Geosciences, IGGR, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Natural Geography and Geoinformatics, Eszterházy Károly University, Eger, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Gyollai
- Research Centre for Astronomy and Geosciences, IGGR, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Fintor
- Department of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Petrology, Szeged University, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Henrietta Horváth
- Department of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Petrology, Szeged University, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Elemér Pál-Molnár
- Department of Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Petrology, Szeged University, Szeged, Hungary
| | - João Carlos Biondi
- Polytechnic Center, Geology Department, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba, Brazil
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Murdock SA, Juniper SK. Hydrothermal vent protistan distribution along the Mariana arc suggests vent endemics may be rare and novel. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:3796-3815. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sheryl A. Murdock
- School of Earth & Ocean Sciences University of Victoria Victoria Canada
| | - S. Kim Juniper
- School of Earth & Ocean Sciences University of Victoria Victoria Canada
- Department of Biology University of Victoria Victoria Canada
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29
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Recreating ancient metabolic pathways before enzymes. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:2292-2297. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Radacsi N, Campos FD, Chisholm CRI, Giapis KP. Spontaneous formation of nanoparticles on electrospun nanofibres. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4740. [PMID: 30413717 PMCID: PMC6226441 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07243-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the spontaneous formation of nanoparticles on smooth nanofibres in a single-step electrospinning process, as an inexpensive and scalable method for producing high-surface-area composites. Layers of nanofibres, containing the proton conducting electrolyte, caesium dihydrogen phosphate, are deposited uniformly over large area substrates from clear solutions of the electrolyte mixed with polymers. Under certain conditions, the normally smooth nanofibres develop caesium dihydrogen phosphate nanoparticles in large numbers on their external surface. The nanoparticles appear to originate from the electrolyte within the fibres, which is transported to the outer surface after the fibres are deposited, as evidenced by cross-sectional imaging of the electrospun fibres. The presence of nanoparticles on the fibre surface yields composites with increased surface area of exposed electrolyte, which ultimately enhances electrocatalytic performance. Indeed, solid acid fuel cells fabricated with electrodes from processed nanofibre-nanoparticle composites, produced higher cell voltage as compared to fuel cells fabricated with state-of-the-art electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Radacsi
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
- Institute for Materials and Processes, The School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Robert Stevenson Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FB, UK.
| | | | | | - Konstantinos P Giapis
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA.
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Cerqueira T, Barroso C, Froufe H, Egas C, Bettencourt R. Metagenomic Signatures of Microbial Communities in Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Sediments of Azores Vent Fields. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2018; 76:387-403. [PMID: 29354879 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-018-1144-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The organisms inhabiting the deep-seafloor are known to play a crucial role in global biogeochemical cycles. Chemolithoautotrophic prokaryotes, which produce biomass from single carbon molecules, constitute the primary source of nutrition for the higher organisms, being critical for the sustainability of food webs and overall life in the deep-sea hydrothermal ecosystems. The present study investigates the metabolic profiles of chemolithoautotrophs inhabiting the sediments of Menez Gwen and Rainbow deep-sea vent fields, in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Differences in the microbial community structure might be reflecting the distinct depth, geology, and distance from vent of the studied sediments. A metagenomic sequencing approach was conducted to characterize the microbiome of the deep-sea hydrothermal sediments and the relevant metabolic pathways used by microbes. Both Menez Gwen and Rainbow metagenomes contained a significant number of genes involved in carbon fixation, revealing the largely autotrophic communities thriving in both sites. Carbon fixation at Menez Gwen site was predicted to occur mainly via the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle, likely reflecting the dominance of sulfur-oxidizing Epsilonproteobacteria at this site, while different autotrophic pathways were identified at Rainbow site, in particular the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle. Chemolithotrophy appeared to be primarily driven by the oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds, whether through the SOX-dependent pathway at Menez Gwen site or through reverse sulfate reduction at Rainbow site. Other energy-yielding processes, such as methane, nitrite, or ammonia oxidation, were also detected but presumably contributing less to chemolithoautotrophy. This work furthers our knowledge of the microbial ecology of deep-sea hydrothermal sediments and represents an important repository of novel genes with potential biotechnological interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Cerqueira
- Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, University of the Azores, Rua Prof. Dr. Frederico Machado, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal.
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal.
- OKEANOS Research Unit, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Azores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal.
| | - Cristina Barroso
- Next Generation Sequencing Unit - UC-Biotech, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, Núcleo 04, Lote 8, 3060-197, Cantanhede, Portugal
- Biocant, Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, Núcleo 04, Lote 8, 3060-197, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Hugo Froufe
- Biocant, Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, Núcleo 04, Lote 8, 3060-197, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Conceição Egas
- Next Generation Sequencing Unit - UC-Biotech, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, Núcleo 04, Lote 8, 3060-197, Cantanhede, Portugal
- Biocant, Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, Núcleo 04, Lote 8, 3060-197, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Raul Bettencourt
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
- OKEANOS Research Unit, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Azores, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
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Power JF, Carere CR, Lee CK, Wakerley GLJ, Evans DW, Button M, White D, Climo MD, Hinze AM, Morgan XC, McDonald IR, Cary SC, Stott MB. Microbial biogeography of 925 geothermal springs in New Zealand. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2876. [PMID: 30038374 PMCID: PMC6056493 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05020-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Geothermal springs are model ecosystems to investigate microbial biogeography as they represent discrete, relatively homogenous habitats, are distributed across multiple geographical scales, span broad geochemical gradients, and have reduced metazoan interactions. Here, we report the largest known consolidated study of geothermal ecosystems to determine factors that influence biogeographical patterns. We measured bacterial and archaeal community composition, 46 physicochemical parameters, and metadata from 925 geothermal springs across New Zealand (13.9–100.6 °C and pH < 1–9.7). We determined that diversity is primarily influenced by pH at temperatures <70 °C; with temperature only having a significant effect for values >70 °C. Further, community dissimilarity increases with geographic distance, with niche selection driving assembly at a localised scale. Surprisingly, two genera (Venenivibrio and Acidithiobacillus) dominated in both average relative abundance (11.2% and 11.1%, respectively) and prevalence (74.2% and 62.9%, respectively). These findings provide an unprecedented insight into ecological behaviour in geothermal springs, and a foundation to improve the characterisation of microbial biogeographical processes. Power et al. catalogue the microbial biodiversity and physicochemistry of around 1000 hotsprings across New Zealand, providing insights into the ecological conditions that drive community assembly in these ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean F Power
- Geomicrobiology Research Group, Department of Geothermal Sciences, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand.,Thermophile Research Unit, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Carlo R Carere
- Geomicrobiology Research Group, Department of Geothermal Sciences, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand.,Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
| | - Charles K Lee
- Thermophile Research Unit, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Georgia L J Wakerley
- Thermophile Research Unit, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - David W Evans
- Geomicrobiology Research Group, Department of Geothermal Sciences, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand
| | - Mathew Button
- Department of Computer Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Duncan White
- Wairakei Research Centre, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand
| | - Melissa D Climo
- Wairakei Research Centre, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
| | - Annika M Hinze
- Department of Computer Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Xochitl C Morgan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ian R McDonald
- Thermophile Research Unit, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - S Craig Cary
- Thermophile Research Unit, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand.
| | - Matthew B Stott
- Geomicrobiology Research Group, Department of Geothermal Sciences, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand. .,School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand.
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Fortunato CS, Larson B, Butterfield DA, Huber JA. Spatially distinct, temporally stable microbial populations mediate biogeochemical cycling at and below the seafloor in hydrothermal vent fluids. Environ Microbiol 2017; 20:769-784. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S. Fortunato
- Marine Biological Laboratory; Josephine Bay Paul Center; Woods Hole MA USA
- Department of Biology; Wilkes University; Wilkes-Barre PA USA
| | - Benjamin Larson
- Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean; University of Washington and NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Lab; Seattle WA USA
| | - David A. Butterfield
- Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean; University of Washington and NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Lab; Seattle WA USA
| | - Julie A. Huber
- Marine Biological Laboratory; Josephine Bay Paul Center; Woods Hole MA USA
- Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department; Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Woods Hole MA USA
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Muchowska KB, Varma SJ, Chevallot-Beroux E, Lethuillier-Karl L, Li G, Moran J. Metals promote sequences of the reverse Krebs cycle. Nat Ecol Evol 2017; 1:1716-1721. [PMID: 28970480 PMCID: PMC5659384 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0311-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The rTCA cycle (also known as the reverse Krebs cycle) is a central anabolic biochemical pathway whose origins are proposed to trace back to geochemistry, long before the advent of enzymes, RNA or cells, and whose imprint still remains intimately embedded in the structure of core metabolism. If it existed, a primordial version of the rTCA cycle would necessarily have been catalyzed by naturally occurring minerals at the earliest stage of the transition from geochemistry to biochemistry. Here we report non-enzymatic promotion of multiple reactions of the rTCA cycle in consecutive sequence, whereby 6 of its 11 reactions are promoted by Zn2+, Cr3+ and Fe0 in an acidic aqueous solution. Two distinct three-reaction sequences can be achieved under a common set of conditions. Selectivity is observed for reduction reactions producing rTCA cycle intermediates compared to those leading off-cycle. Reductive amination of ketoacids to furnish amino acids is observed under similar conditions. The emerging reaction network supports the feasibility of primitive anabolism in an acidic, metal-rich reducing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila B Muchowska
- Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering (ISIS UMR 7006), University of Strasbourg, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sreejith J Varma
- Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering (ISIS UMR 7006), University of Strasbourg, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Elodie Chevallot-Beroux
- Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering (ISIS UMR 7006), University of Strasbourg, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Lucas Lethuillier-Karl
- Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering (ISIS UMR 7006), University of Strasbourg, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Guang Li
- Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering (ISIS UMR 7006), University of Strasbourg, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Joseph Moran
- Institute of Supramolecular Science and Engineering (ISIS UMR 7006), University of Strasbourg, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), F-67000, Strasbourg, France.
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Abstract
Microorganisms (prokaryotes and protists) seldom fossilize, but they form much of the trophic structure in marine pelagic and benthic environments, chiefly as primary producers and secondary consumers. The fossil record of unskeletonized groups is meager or non-existent. Skeletonized groups have excellent records but represent a small portion of the total microbial diversity.The evolution of trophic structures and roles of microorganisms can be reconstructed broadly for most of geologic history. When life first evolved, it had a trophic structure. The first microbial fossils appear to be benthic mats; these are abundant in the Precambrian but sparse later; body fossils are very rare. The Archean saw pelagic and benthic prokaryotes and possibly protists later on. Proterozoic trophic structures became increasingly complex as protists entered pelagic environments. Benthic assemblages likewise became complex, as prokaryotes and protists formed mats and stromatolites in many environments. At the end of the eon, animals appeared; microbial primary producers and predation on microorganisms and among animals fueled these assemblages. The fundamental trophic structures that developed then persisted with modification into modern times. Phanerozoic ecosystems became very complex as skeletonized animals and protists evolved. Among the important trophic developments in the Phanerozoic history of microorganisms were the early diversification of phytoplankton and siliceous micro-zooplankton (Cambrian), algal endosymbiosis with benthic metazoans (Cambrian to Recent) and rock-forming foraminifera (late Paleozoic to Recent), the radiation of pelagic skeletal primary producers and micro-zooplankton (mid-Mesozoic), and radiations in the deep sea, reefs, and shallow areas (Mesozoic and Cenozoic). Each evolutionary change increased trophic complexity by adding more species at each level, while episodic mass extinctions decreased species diversity and trophic complexity.Marine trophic structures evolved over immense intervals of geologic time, growing complex and then suffering destruction at major extinction events. The effects of human impact on these structures should be examined, for without them, Earth may change dramatically.
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Djurhuus A, Mikalsen SO, Giebel HA, Rogers AD. Cutting through the smoke: the diversity of microorganisms in deep-sea hydrothermal plumes. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:160829. [PMID: 28484604 PMCID: PMC5414241 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
There are still notable gaps regarding the detailed distribution of microorganisms between and within insular habitats such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents. This study investigates the community composition of black smoker vent microorganisms in the Southern Hemisphere, and changes thereof along a spatial and chemical gradient ranging from the vent plume to surrounding waters. We sampled two hydrothermal vent fields, one at the South West Indian Ridge (SWIR), the other at the East Scotia Ridge (ESR). Samples were collected across vent fields at varying vertical distances from the origin of the plumes. The microbial data were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform for the 16SrRNA gene. A substantial amount of vent-specific putative chemosynthetic microorganisms were found, particularly in samples from focused hydrothermal venting. Common vent-specific organisms from both vent fields were the genera Arcobacter, Caminibacter and Sulfurimonas from the Epsilonproteobacteria and the SUP05 group from the Gammaproteobacteria. There were no major differences in microbial composition between SWIR and ESR for focused plume samples. However, within the ESR the diffuse flow and focused samples differed significantly in microbial community composition and relative abundance. For Epsilonproteobacteria, we found evidence of niche-specificity to hydrothermal vent environments. This taxon decreased in abundance by three orders of magnitude from the vent orifice to background water. Epsilonproteobacteria distribution followed a distance-decay relationship as vent-effluents mixed with the surrounding seawater. This study demonstrates strong habitat affinity of vent microorganisms on a metre scale with distinct environmental selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anni Djurhuus
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3PS UK
- e-mail:
| | - Svein-Ole Mikalsen
- Department of Science and Technology, University of the Faroe Islands, Noatun 3, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Helge-Ansgar Giebel
- Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, , Germany
| | - Alex D. Rogers
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3PS UK
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Filippidou S, Wunderlin T, Junier T, Jeanneret N, Dorador C, Molina V, Johnson DR, Junier P. A Combination of Extreme Environmental Conditions Favor the Prevalence of Endospore-Forming Firmicutes. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1707. [PMID: 27857706 PMCID: PMC5094177 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental conditions unsuitable for microbial growth are the rule rather than the exception in most habitats. In response to this, microorganisms have developed various strategies to withstand environmental conditions that limit active growth. Endospore-forming Firmicutes (EFF) deploy a myriad of survival strategies in order to resist adverse conditions. Like many bacterial groups, they can form biofilms and detect nutrient scarcity through chemotaxis. Moreover, within this paraphyletic group of Firmicutes, ecophysiological optima are diverse. Nonetheless, a response to adversity that delimits this group is the formation of wet-heat resistant spores. These strategies are energetically demanding and therefore might affect the biological success of EFF. Therefore, we hypothesize that abundance and diversity of EFF should be maximized in those environments in which the benefits of these survival strategies offsets the energetic cost. In order to address this hypothesis, geothermal and mineral springs and drillings were selected because in these environments of steep physicochemical gradients, diversified survival strategies may become a successful strategy.We collected 71 samples from geothermal and mineral environments characterized by none (null), single or multiple limiting environmental factors (temperature, pH, UV radiation, and specific mineral composition). To measure success, we quantified EFF gene copy numbers (GCN; spo0A gene) in relation to total bacterial GCN (16S rRNA gene), as well as the contribution of EFF to community composition. The quantification showed that relative GCN for EFF reached up to 20% at sites characterized by multiple limiting environmental factors, whereas it corresponded to less than 1% at sites with one or no limiting environmental factor. Pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene supports a higher contribution of EFF at sites with multiple limiting factors. Community composition suggested a combination of phylotypes for which active growth could be expected, and phylotypes that are most likely in the state of endospores, in all the sites. In summary, our results suggest that diversified survival strategies, including sporulation and metabolic adaptations, explain the biological success of EFF in geothermal and natural springs, and that multiple extreme environmental factors favor the prevalence of EFF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevasti Filippidou
- Laboratory of Microbiology, University of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Tina Wunderlin
- Laboratory of Microbiology, University of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Junier
- Laboratory of Microbiology, University of NeuchâtelNeuchâtel, Switzerland; Vital-IT group, Swiss Institute of BioinformaticsLausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Jeanneret
- Laboratory of Microbiology, University of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Dorador
- Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana y Ecología Funcional and Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de AntofagastaAntofagasta, Chile; Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, CeBiB, University of ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Veronica Molina
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas. Universidad de Playa Ancha Valparaíso, Chile
| | - David R Johnson
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Pilar Junier
- Laboratory of Microbiology, University of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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Miranda PJ, McLain NK, Hatzenpichler R, Orphan VJ, Dillon JG. Characterization of Chemosynthetic Microbial Mats Associated with Intertidal Hydrothermal Sulfur Vents in White Point, San Pedro, CA, USA. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1163. [PMID: 27512390 PMCID: PMC4961709 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The shallow-sea hydrothermal vents at White Point (WP) in Palos Verdes on the southern California coast support microbial mats and provide easily accessed settings in which to study chemolithoautotrophic sulfur cycling. Previous studies have cultured sulfur-oxidizing bacteria from the WP mats; however, almost nothing is known about the in situ diversity and activity of the microorganisms in these habitats. We studied the diversity, micron-scale spatial associations and metabolic activity of the mat community via sequence analysis of 16S rRNA and aprA genes, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) microscopy and sulfate reduction rate (SRR) measurements. Sequence analysis revealed a diverse group of bacteria, dominated by sulfur cycling gamma-, epsilon-, and deltaproteobacterial lineages such as Marithrix, Sulfurovum, and Desulfuromusa. FISH microscopy suggests a close physical association between sulfur-oxidizing and sulfur-reducing genotypes, while radiotracer studies showed low, but detectable, SRR. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicate the WP sulfur vent microbial mat community is similar, but distinct from other hydrothermal vent communities representing a range of biotopes and lithologic settings. These findings suggest a complete biological sulfur cycle is operating in the WP mat ecosystem mediated by diverse bacterial lineages, with some similarity with deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla J. Miranda
- Department of Geological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long BeachCA, USA
| | - Nathan K. McLain
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long BeachCA, USA
| | - Roland Hatzenpichler
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, PasadenaCA, USA
| | - Victoria J. Orphan
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, PasadenaCA, USA
| | - Jesse G. Dillon
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, Long BeachCA, USA
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Coupled RNA-SIP and metatranscriptomics of active chemolithoautotrophic communities at a deep-sea hydrothermal vent. ISME JOURNAL 2016; 10:1925-38. [PMID: 26872039 PMCID: PMC5029171 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2015.258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Revised: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The chemolithoautotrophic microbial community of the rocky subseafloor potentially provides a large amount of organic carbon to the deep ocean, yet our understanding of the activity and metabolic complexity of subseafloor organisms remains poorly described. A combination of metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, and RNA stable isotope probing (RNA-SIP) analyses were used to identify the metabolic potential, expression patterns, and active autotrophic bacteria and archaea and their pathways present in low-temperature hydrothermal fluids from Axial Seamount, an active submarine volcano. Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic results showed the presence of genes and transcripts for sulfur, hydrogen, and ammonium oxidation, oxygen respiration, denitrification, and methanogenesis, as well as multiple carbon fixation pathways. In RNA-SIP experiments across a range of temperatures under reducing conditions, the enriched 13C fractions showed differences in taxonomic and functional diversity. At 30 °C and 55 °C, Epsilonproteobacteria were dominant, oxidizing hydrogen and primarily reducing nitrate. Methanogenic archaea were also present at 55 °C, and were the only autotrophs present at 80 °C. Correspondingly, the predominant CO2 fixation pathways changed from the reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle to the reductive acetyl-CoA pathway with increasing temperature. By coupling RNA-SIP with meta-omics, this study demonstrates the presence and activity of distinct chemolithoautotrophic communities across a thermal gradient of a deep-sea hydrothermal vent.
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CO2 Reduction Using an Electrochemical Approach from Chemical, Biological, and Geological Aspects in the Ancient and Modern Earth. LECTURE NOTES IN ENERGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-25400-5_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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42
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Oulas A, Polymenakou PN, Seshadri R, Tripp HJ, Mandalakis M, Paez-Espino AD, Pati A, Chain P, Nomikou P, Carey S, Kilias S, Christakis C, Kotoulas G, Magoulas A, Ivanova NN, Kyrpides NC. Metagenomic investigation of the geologically unique Hellenic Volcanic Arc reveals a distinctive ecosystem with unexpected physiology. Environ Microbiol 2015; 18:1122-36. [PMID: 26487573 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Hydrothermal vents represent a deep, hot, aphotic biosphere where chemosynthetic primary producers, fuelled by chemicals from Earth's subsurface, form the basis of life. In this study, we examined microbial mats from two distinct volcanic sites within the Hellenic Volcanic Arc (HVA). The HVA is geologically and ecologically unique, with reported emissions of CO2 -saturated fluids at temperatures up to 220°C and a notable absence of macrofauna. Metagenomic data reveals highly complex prokaryotic communities composed of chemolithoautotrophs, some methanotrophs, and to our surprise, heterotrophs capable of anaerobic degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons. Our data suggest that aromatic hydrocarbons may indeed be a significant source of carbon in these sites, and instigate additional research into the nature and origin of these compounds in the HVA. Novel physiology was assigned to several uncultured prokaryotic lineages; most notably, a SAR406 representative is attributed with a role in anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation. This dataset, the largest to date from submarine volcanic ecosystems, constitutes a significant resource of novel genes and pathways with potential biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasis Oulas
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes Pediados, P.O. Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, 71003, Greece
| | - Paraskevi N Polymenakou
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes Pediados, P.O. Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, 71003, Greece
| | - Rekha Seshadri
- Department of Energy, Microbial Genome and Metagenome Program, Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
| | - H James Tripp
- Department of Energy, Microbial Genome and Metagenome Program, Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
| | - Manolis Mandalakis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes Pediados, P.O. Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, 71003, Greece
| | - A David Paez-Espino
- Department of Energy, Microbial Genome and Metagenome Program, Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
| | - Amrita Pati
- Department of Energy, Microbial Genome and Metagenome Program, Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
| | | | - Paraskevi Nomikou
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, Athens, Greece
| | - Steven Carey
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Stephanos Kilias
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Christakis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes Pediados, P.O. Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, 71003, Greece
| | - Georgios Kotoulas
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes Pediados, P.O. Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, 71003, Greece
| | - Antonios Magoulas
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes Pediados, P.O. Box 2214, Heraklion, Crete, 71003, Greece
| | - Natalia N Ivanova
- Department of Energy, Microbial Genome and Metagenome Program, Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
| | - Nikos C Kyrpides
- Department of Energy, Microbial Genome and Metagenome Program, Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, King Abdulaziz, Jeddah, Saudia Arabia
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Microbial diversity in deep-sea sediments from the Menez Gwen hydrothermal vent system of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Mar Genomics 2015; 24 Pt 3:343-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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He Y, Feng X, Fang J, Zhang Y, Xiao X. Metagenome and Metatranscriptome Revealed a Highly Active and Intensive Sulfur Cycle in an Oil-Immersed Hydrothermal Chimney in Guaymas Basin. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1236. [PMID: 26617579 PMCID: PMC4639633 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The hydrothermal vent system is a typical chemosynthetic ecosystem in which microorganisms play essential roles in the geobiochemical cycling. Although it has been well-recognized that the inorganic sulfur compounds are abundant and actively converted through chemosynthetic pathways, the sulfur budget in a hydrothermal vent is poorly characterized due to the complexity of microbial sulfur cycling resulting from the numerous parties involved in the processes. In this study, we performed an integrated metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis on a chimney sample from Guaymas Basin to achieve a comprehensive study of each sulfur metabolic pathway and its hosting microorganisms and constructed the microbial sulfur cycle that occurs in the site. Our results clearly illustrated the stratified sulfur oxidation and sulfate reduction at the chimney wall. Besides, sulfur metabolizing is closely interacting with carbon cycles, especially the hydrocarbon degradation process in Guaymas Basin. This work supports that the internal sulfur cycling is intensive and the net sulfur budget is low in the hydrothermal ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying He
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China ; State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China ; State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China ; Institute of Oceanology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China ; State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China ; Institute of Oceanology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China
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Ishii T, Kawaichi S, Nakagawa H, Hashimoto K, Nakamura R. From chemolithoautotrophs to electrolithoautotrophs: CO2 fixation by Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria coupled with direct uptake of electrons from solid electron sources. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:994. [PMID: 26500609 PMCID: PMC4593280 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
At deep-sea vent systems, hydrothermal emissions rich in reductive chemicals replace solar energy as fuels to support microbial carbon assimilation. Until recently, all the microbial components at vent systems have been assumed to be fostered by the primary production of chemolithoautotrophs; however, both the laboratory and on-site studies demonstrated electrical current generation at vent systems and have suggested that a portion of microbial carbon assimilation is stimulated by the direct uptake of electrons from electrically conductive minerals. Here we show that chemolithoautotrophic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacterium, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, switches the electron source for carbon assimilation from diffusible Fe2+ ions to an electrode under the condition that electrical current is the only source of energy and electrons. Site-specific marking of a cytochrome aa3 complex (aa3 complex) and a cytochrome bc1 complex (bc1 complex) in viable cells demonstrated that the electrons taken directly from an electrode are used for O2 reduction via a down-hill pathway, which generates proton motive force that is used for pushing the electrons to NAD+ through a bc1 complex. Activation of carbon dioxide fixation by a direct electron uptake was also confirmed by the clear potential dependency of cell growth. These results reveal a previously unknown bioenergetic versatility of Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria to use solid electron sources and will help with understanding carbon assimilation of microbial components living in electronically conductive chimney habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takumi Ishii
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kawaichi
- Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science Saitama, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Nakagawa
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Hashimoto
- Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuhei Nakamura
- Biofunctional Catalyst Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science Saitama, Japan
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Saslis-Lagoudakis CH, Hua X, Bui E, Moray C, Bromham L. Predicting species' tolerance to salinity and alkalinity using distribution data and geochemical modelling: a case study using Australian grasses. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2015; 115:343-51. [PMID: 25538113 PMCID: PMC4332611 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcu248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Salt tolerance has evolved many times independently in different plant groups. One possible explanation for this pattern is that it builds upon a general suite of stress-tolerance traits. If this is the case, then we might expect a correlation between salt tolerance and other tolerances to different environmental stresses. This association has been hypothesized for salt and alkalinity tolerance. However, a major limitation in investigating large-scale patterns of these tolerances is that lists of known tolerant species are incomplete. This study explores whether species' salt and alkalinity tolerance can be predicted using geochemical modelling for Australian grasses. The correlation between taxa found in conditions of high predicted salinity and alkalinity is then assessed. METHODS Extensive occurrence data for Australian grasses is used together with geochemical modelling to predict values of pH and electrical conductivity to which species are exposed in their natural distributions. Using parametric and phylogeny-corrected tests, the geochemical predictions are evaluated using a list of known halophytes as a control, and it is determined whether taxa that occur in conditions of high predicted salinity are also found in conditions of high predicted alkalinity. KEY RESULTS It is shown that genera containing known halophytes have higher predicted salinity conditions than those not containing known halophytes. Additionally, taxa occurring in high predicted salinity tend to also occur in high predicted alkalinity. CONCLUSIONS Geochemical modelling using species' occurrence data is a potentially useful approach to predict species' relative natural tolerance to challenging environmental conditions. The findings also demonstrate a correlation between salinity tolerance and alkalinity tolerance. Further investigations can consider the phylogenetic distribution of specific traits involved in these ecophysiological strategies, ideally by incorporating more complete, finer-scale geochemical information, as well as laboratory experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Haris Saslis-Lagoudakis
- Centre for Macroevolution and Macroecology, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia and CSIRO Land and Water, GPO Box 1666, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Xia Hua
- Centre for Macroevolution and Macroecology, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia and CSIRO Land and Water, GPO Box 1666, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Elisabeth Bui
- Centre for Macroevolution and Macroecology, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia and CSIRO Land and Water, GPO Box 1666, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Camile Moray
- Centre for Macroevolution and Macroecology, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia and CSIRO Land and Water, GPO Box 1666, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Lindell Bromham
- Centre for Macroevolution and Macroecology, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia and CSIRO Land and Water, GPO Box 1666, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
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Jain P, Reza HM, Pal S. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of bacterial community and characterization of Cr(VI) reducers from the sediments of Tantloi hot spring, India. AQUATIC BIOSYSTEMS 2014; 10:7. [PMID: 25243065 PMCID: PMC4168125 DOI: 10.1186/2046-9063-10-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A geothermal ecosystem located at Tantloi, India has been found to be an interesting habitat for microbes of diverse nature. However, the microbial diversity of this habitat is poorly explored. In this study, a detailed phylogenetic study has been carried out to understand the bacterial diversity of this habitat and to identify prospective metal reducers using culture independent approach. The bacterial diversity of the sediments, which contain undetectable levels of Cr(VI), was analysed with respect to chromium reduction and the strains highly resistant to and efficiently reducing chromium under aerobic conditions were isolated and characterized. RESULTS 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of Tantloi hot spring microbial community revealed a significant bacterial diversity represented by at least ten taxonomic divisions of Bacteria with clear predominance of Thermus. Similar sequence analysis of rRNA gene library clones derived from bacterial consortia enriched from sediments in presence of Cr(VI) revealed the abundance of the family Bacillaceae. Under aerobic conditions at 65°C, the consortia reduced 1 mM of Cr(VI) completely within 24 h and 5 mM in 6 days. A complete reduction of 1 mM Cr(VI) has been shown by five of our isolates within 36 h. 16S rRNA gene sequences of all the isolates showed high degree of similarity (97-99%) to Bacillaceae with ten of them being affiliated to Anoxybacillus. Crude extract as well as the soluble fraction from isolates TSB-1 and TSB-9 readily reduced Cr(VI); TSB-1 showed higher chromium reductase activity. CONCLUSION Most of the Tantloi Spring Bacterial (TSB) sequences analyzed in different taxonomic divisions could be related to representatives with known metabolic traits which indicated presence of organisms involved in redox processes of a variety of elements including iron, sulphur and chromium. Approximately 80% of the sequences obtained in this study represented novel phylotypes indicating the possibility of discovery of bacteria with biotechnologically important new biomolecules. Again, highly chromium-resistant and remarkably active Cr(VI)-reducing Anoxybacillus strains isolated in this study could serve as potential candidates for designing chromium bioremediation strategies at high temperatures and also at high chromium concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
| | - Hasan Mahmud Reza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Subrata Pal
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
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Yamaguchi A, Yamamoto M, Takai K, Ishii T, Hashimoto K, Nakamura R. Electrochemical CO2 Reduction by Ni-containing Iron Sulfides: How Is CO2 Electrochemically Reduced at Bisulfide-Bearing Deep-sea Hydrothermal Precipitates? Electrochim Acta 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2014.07.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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49
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Koumandou VL, Kossida S. Evolution of the F0F1 ATP synthase complex in light of the patchy distribution of different bioenergetic pathways across prokaryotes. PLoS Comput Biol 2014; 10:e1003821. [PMID: 25188293 PMCID: PMC4154653 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria and archaea are characterized by an amazing metabolic diversity, which allows them to persist in diverse and often extreme habitats. Apart from oxygenic photosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation, well-studied processes from chloroplasts and mitochondria of plants and animals, prokaryotes utilize various chemo- or lithotrophic modes, such as anoxygenic photosynthesis, iron oxidation and reduction, sulfate reduction, and methanogenesis. Most bioenergetic pathways have a similar general structure, with an electron transport chain composed of protein complexes acting as electron donors and acceptors, as well as a central cytochrome complex, mobile electron carriers, and an ATP synthase. While each pathway has been studied in considerable detail in isolation, not much is known about their relative evolutionary relationships. Wanting to address how this metabolic diversity evolved, we mapped the distribution of nine bioenergetic modes on a phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA sequences from 272 species representing the full diversity of prokaryotic lineages. This highlights the patchy distribution of many pathways across different lineages, and suggests either up to 26 independent origins or 17 horizontal gene transfer events. Next, we used comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis of all subunits of the F0F1 ATP synthase, common to most bacterial lineages regardless of their bioenergetic mode. Our results indicate an ancient origin of this protein complex, and no clustering based on bioenergetic mode, which suggests that no special modifications are needed for the ATP synthase to work with different electron transport chains. Moreover, examination of the ATP synthase genetic locus indicates various gene rearrangements in the different bacterial lineages, ancient duplications of atpI and of the beta subunit of the F0 subcomplex, as well as more recent stochastic lineage-specific and species-specific duplications of all subunits. We discuss the implications of the overall pattern of conservation and flexibility of the F0F1 ATP synthase genetic locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassiliki Lila Koumandou
- Bioinformatics & Medical Informatics Team, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Kossida
- Bioinformatics & Medical Informatics Team, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
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50
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Evolutionary history of redox metal-binding domains across the tree of life. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:7042-7. [PMID: 24778258 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1403676111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidoreductases mediate electron transfer (i.e., redox) reactions across the tree of life and ultimately facilitate the biologically driven fluxes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur on Earth. The core enzymes responsible for these reactions are ancient, often small in size, and highly diverse in amino acid sequence, and many require specific transition metals in their active sites. Here we reconstruct the evolution of metal-binding domains in extant oxidoreductases using a flexible network approach and permissive profile alignments based on available microbial genome data. Our results suggest there were at least 10 independent origins of redox domain families. However, we also identified multiple ancient connections between Fe2S2- (adrenodoxin-like) and heme- (cytochrome c) binding domains. Our results suggest that these two iron-containing redox families had a single common ancestor that underwent duplication and divergence. The iron-containing protein family constitutes ∼50% of all metal-containing oxidoreductases and potentially catalyzed redox reactions in the Archean oceans. Heme-binding domains seem to be derived via modular evolutionary processes that ultimately form the backbone of redox reactions in both anaerobic and aerobic respiration and photosynthesis. The empirically discovered network allows us to peer into the ancient history of microbial metabolism on our planet.
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