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McKnight MM, Neufeld JD. Comammox Nitrospira among dominant ammonia oxidizers within aquarium biofilter microbial communities. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0010424. [PMID: 38899882 PMCID: PMC11267875 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00104-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Nitrification by aquarium biofilters transforms ammonia waste (NH3/NH4+) to less toxic nitrate (NO3-) via nitrite (NO2-). Prior to the discovery of complete ammonia-oxidizing ("comammox" or CMX) Nitrospira, previous research revealed that ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) dominated over ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in freshwater aquarium biofilters. Here, we profiled aquarium biofilter microbial communities and quantified the abundance of all three known ammonia oxidizers using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR), respectively. Biofilter and water samples were each collected from representative residential and commercial freshwater and saltwater aquaria. Distinct biofilter microbial communities were associated with freshwater and saltwater biofilters. Comammox Nitrospira amoA genes were detected in all 38 freshwater biofilter samples (average CMX amoA genes: 2.2 × 103 ± 1.5 × 103 copies/ng) and dominant in 30, whereas AOA were present in 35 freshwater biofilter samples (average AOA amoA genes: 1.1 × 103 ± 2.7 × 103 copies/ng) and only dominant in 7 of them. The AOB were at relatively low abundance within biofilters (average of 3.2 × 101 ± 1.1 × 102 copies of AOB amoA genes/ng of DNA), except for the aquarium with the highest ammonia concentration. For saltwater biofilters, AOA or AOB were differentially abundant, with no comammox Nitrospira detected. Additional sequencing of Nitrospira amoA genes revealed differential distributions, suggesting niche adaptation based on water chemistry (e.g., ammonia, carbonate hardness, and alkalinity). Network analysis of freshwater microbial communities demonstrated positive correlations between nitrifiers and heterotrophs, suggesting metabolic and ecological interactions within biofilters. These results demonstrate that comammox Nitrospira plays a previously overlooked, but important role in home aquarium biofilter nitrification. IMPORTANCE Nitrification is a crucial process that converts toxic ammonia waste into less harmful nitrate that occurs in aquarium biofilters. Prior research found that ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) were dominant over ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in freshwater aquarium biofilters. Our study profiled microbial communities of aquarium biofilters and quantified the abundance of all currently known groups of aerobic ammonia oxidizers. The findings reveal that complete ammonia-oxidizing (comammox) Nitrospira were present in all freshwater aquarium biofilter samples in high abundance, challenging our previous understanding of aquarium nitrification. We also highlight niche adaptation of ammonia oxidizers based on salinity. The network analysis of freshwater biofilter microbial communities revealed significant positive correlations among nitrifiers and other community members, suggesting intricate interactions within biofilter communities. Overall, this study expands our understanding of nitrification in aquarium biofilters, emphasizes the role of comammox Nitrospira, and highlights the value of aquaria as microcosms for studying nitrifier ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josh D. Neufeld
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Ghimire-Kafle S, Weaver ME, Kimbrel MP, Bollmann A. Competition between ammonia-oxidizing archaea and complete ammonia oxidizers from freshwater environments. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0169823. [PMID: 38349190 PMCID: PMC10952389 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01698-23] [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: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Aerobic ammonia oxidizers (AOs) are prokaryotic microorganisms that contribute to the global nitrogen cycle by performing the first step of nitrification, the oxidation of ammonium to nitrite and nitrate. While aerobic AOs are found ubiquitously, their distribution is controlled by key environmental conditions such as substrate (ammonium) availability. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and complete ammonia oxidizers (comammox) are generally found in oligotrophic environments with low ammonium availability. However, whether AOA and comammox share these habitats or outcompete each other is not well understood. We assessed the competition for ammonium between an AOA and comammox enriched from the freshwater Lake Burr Oak. The AOA enrichment culture (AOA-BO1) contained Nitrosarchaeum sp. BO1 as the ammonia oxidizer and Nitrospira sp. BO1 as the nitrite oxidizer. The comammox enrichment BO4 (cmx-BO4) contained the comammox strain Nitrospira sp. BO4. The competition experiments were performed either in continuous cultivation with ammonium as a growth-limiting substrate or in batch cultivation with initial ammonium concentrations of 50 and 500 µM. Regardless of the ammonium concentration, Nitrospira sp. BO4 outcompeted Nitrosarchaeum sp. BO1 under all tested conditions. The dominance of Nitrospira sp. BO4 could be explained by the ability of comammox to generate more energy through the complete oxidation of ammonia to nitrate and their more efficient carbon fixation pathway-the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle. Our results are supported by the higher abundance of comammox compared to AOA in the sediment of Lake Burr Oak. IMPORTANCE Nitrification is a key process in the global nitrogen cycle. Aerobic ammonia oxidizers play a central role in the nitrogen cycle by performing the first step of nitrification. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and complete ammonia oxidizers (comammox) are the dominant nitrifiers in environments with low ammonium availability. While AOA have been studied for almost 20 years, comammox were only discovered 8 years ago. Until now, there has been a gap in our understanding of whether AOA and comammox can co-exist or if one strain would be dominant under ammonium-limiting conditions. Here, we present the first study characterizing the competition between freshwater AOA and comammox under varying substrate concentrations. Our results will help in elucidating the niches of two key nitrifiers in freshwater lakes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matt E. Weaver
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA
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Fadeev E, Hennenfeind JH, Amano C, Zhao Z, Klun K, Herndl GJ, Tinta T. Bacterial degradation of ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi organic matter. mSystems 2024; 9:e0126423. [PMID: 38259104 PMCID: PMC10878102 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01264-23] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Blooms of gelatinous zooplankton, an important source of protein-rich biomass in coastal waters, often collapse rapidly, releasing large amounts of labile detrital organic matter (OM) into the surrounding water. Although these blooms have the potential to cause major perturbations in the marine ecosystem, their effects on the microbial community and hence on the biogeochemical cycles have yet to be elucidated. We conducted microcosm experiments simulating the scenario experienced by coastal bacterial communities after the decay of a ctenophore (Mnemiopsis leidyi) bloom in the northern Adriatic Sea. Within 24 h, a rapid response of bacterial communities to the M. leidyi OM was observed, characterized by elevated bacterial biomass production and respiration rates. However, compared to our previous microcosm study of jellyfish (Aurelia aurita s.l.), M. leidyi OM degradation was characterized by significantly lower bacterial growth efficiency, meaning that the carbon stored in the OM was mostly respired. Combined metagenomic and metaproteomic analysis indicated that the degradation activity was mainly performed by Pseudoalteromonas, producing a large amount of proteolytic extracellular enzymes and exhibiting high metabolic activity. Interestingly, the reconstructed metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) of Pseudoalteromonas phenolica was almost identical (average nucleotide identity >99%) to the MAG previously reconstructed in our A. aurita microcosm study, despite the fundamental genetic and biochemical differences of the two gelatinous zooplankton species. Taken together, our data suggest that blooms of different gelatinous zooplankton are likely triggering a consistent response from natural bacterial communities, with specific bacterial lineages driving the remineralization of the gelatinous OM.IMPORTANCEJellyfish blooms are increasingly becoming a recurring seasonal event in marine ecosystems, characterized by a rapid build-up of gelatinous biomass that collapses rapidly. Although these blooms have the potential to cause major perturbations, their impact on marine microbial communities is largely unknown. We conducted an incubation experiment simulating a bloom of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi in the Northern Adriatic, where we investigated the bacterial response to the gelatinous biomass. We found that the bacterial communities actively degraded the gelatinous organic matter, and overall showed a striking similarity to the dynamics previously observed after a simulated bloom of the jellyfish Aurelia aurita s.l. In both cases, we found that a single bacterial species, Pseudoalteromonas phenolica, was responsible for most of the degradation activity. This suggests that blooms of different jellyfish are likely to trigger a consistent response from natural bacterial communities, with specific bacterial species driving the remineralization of gelatinous biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Fadeev
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography and Marine Biology Unit, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jennifer H. Hennenfeind
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography and Marine Biology Unit, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chie Amano
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography and Marine Biology Unit, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zihao Zhao
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography and Marine Biology Unit, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Klun
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Gerhard J. Herndl
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography and Marine Biology Unit, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, the Netherlands
- Vienna Metabolomics & Proteomics Center, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tinkara Tinta
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography and Marine Biology Unit, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
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Hu X, Huang Y, Gu G, Hu H, Yan H, Zhang H, Zhang R, Zhang D, Wang K. Distinct patterns of distribution, community assembly and cross-domain co-occurrence of planktonic archaea in four major estuaries of China. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2023; 18:75. [PMID: 37805516 PMCID: PMC10560434 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-023-00530-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Archaea are key mediators of estuarine biogeochemical cycles, but comprehensive studies comparing archaeal communities among multiple estuaries with unified experimental protocols during the same sampling periods are scarce. Here, we investigated the distribution, community assembly, and cross-domain microbial co-occurrence of archaea in surface waters across four major estuaries (Yellow River, Yangtze River, Qiantang River, and Pearl River) of China cross climatic zones (~ 1,800 km) during the winter and summer cruises. RESULTS The relative abundance of archaea in the prokaryotic community and archaeal community composition varied with estuaries, seasons, and stations (reflecting local environmental changes such as salinity). Archaeal communities in four estuaries were overall predominated by ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) (aka. Marine Group (MG) I; primarily Nitrosopumilus), while the genus Poseidonia of Poseidoniales (aka. MGII) was occasionally predominant in Pearl River estuary. The cross-estuary dispersal of archaea was largely limited and the assembly mechanism of archaea varied with estuaries in the winter cruise, while selection governed archaeal assembly in all estuaries in the summer cruise. Although the majority of archaea taxa in microbial networks were peripherals and/or connectors, extensive and distinct cross-domain associations of archaea with bacteria were found across the estuaries, with AOA as the most crucial archaeal group. Furthermore, the expanded associations of MGII taxa with heterotrophic bacteria were observed, speculatively indicating the endogenous demand for co-processing high amount and diversity of organic matters in the estuarine ecosystem highly impacted by terrestrial/anthropogenic input, which is worthy of further study. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the lack of common patterns in the dynamics of estuarine archaeal communities along the geographic gradient, expanding the understanding of roles of archaea in microbial networks of this highly dynamic ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuya Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yujie Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Gaoke Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Hanjing Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Huizhen Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Huajun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Zhejiang Marine High-Efficiency and Healthy Aquaculture, Ningbo, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Demin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Zhejiang Marine High-Efficiency and Healthy Aquaculture, Ningbo, China
| | - Kai Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
- Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Zhejiang Province, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Zhejiang Marine High-Efficiency and Healthy Aquaculture, Ningbo, China.
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Kikuchi S, Fujitani H, Ishii K, Isshiki R, Sekiguchi Y, Tsuneda S. Characterisation of bacteria representing a novel Nitrosomonas clade: Physiology, genomics and distribution of missing ammonia oxidizer. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 15:404-416. [PMID: 37078228 PMCID: PMC10472526 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Members of the genus Nitrosomonas are major ammonia oxidizers that catalyse the first step of nitrification in various ecosystems. To date, six subgenus-level clades have been identified. We have previously isolated novel ammonia oxidizers from an additional clade (unclassified cluster 1) of the genus Nitrosomonas. In this study, we report unique physiological and genomic properties of the strain PY1, compared with representative ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB). The apparent half-saturation constant for total ammonia nitrogen and maximum velocity of strain PY1 were 57.9 ± 4.8 μM NH3 + NH4 + and 18.5 ± 1.8 μmol N (mg protein)-1 h-1 , respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on genomic information revealed that strain PY1 belongs to a novel clade of the Nitrosomonas genus. Although PY1 contained genes to withstand oxidative stress, cell growth of PY1 required catalase to scavenge hydrogen peroxide. Environmental distribution analysis revealed that the novel clade containing PY1-like sequences is predominant in oligotrophic freshwater. Taken together, the strain PY1 had a longer generation time, higher yield and required reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers to oxidize ammonia, compared with known AOB. These findings expand our knowledge of the ecophysiology and genomic diversity of ammonia-oxidising Nitrosomonas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuta Kikuchi
- Department of Life Science and Medical BioscienceWaseda UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Hirotsugu Fujitani
- Department of Biological SciencesChuo UniversityTokyoJapan
- Research Organization for Nano & Life InnovationWaseda UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Kento Ishii
- Department of Life Science and Medical BioscienceWaseda UniversityTokyoJapan
- Research Organization for Nano & Life InnovationWaseda UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Rino Isshiki
- Department of Life Science and Medical BioscienceWaseda UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Yuji Sekiguchi
- Biomedical Research InstituteNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)IbarakiJapan
| | - Satoshi Tsuneda
- Department of Life Science and Medical BioscienceWaseda UniversityTokyoJapan
- Research Organization for Nano & Life InnovationWaseda UniversityTokyoJapan
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Vipindas PV, Jabir T, Venkatachalam S, Yang EJ, Jain A, Krishnan KP. Vertical segregation and phylogenetic characterization of archaea and archaeal ammonia monooxygenase gene in the water column of the western Arctic Ocean. Extremophiles 2023; 27:24. [PMID: 37668803 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-023-01310-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Archaea constitute a substantial fraction of marine microbial biomass and play critical roles in the biogeochemistry of oceans. However, studies on their distribution and ecology in the Arctic Ocean are relatively scarce. Here, we studied the distributions of archaea and archaeal ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) gene in the western Arctic Ocean, using the amplicon sequencing approach from the sea surface to deep waters up to 3040 m depth. A total of five archaeal phyla, Nitrososphaerota, "Euryarchaeota", "Halobacteriota," "Nanoarchaeota", and Candidatus Thermoplasmatota, were detected. We observed a clear, depth-dependent vertical segregation among archaeal communities. Ca. Thermoplasmatota (66.8%) was the most dominant phylum in the surface waters. At the same time, Nitrososphaerota (55.9%) was dominant in the deep waters. Most of the amoA gene OTUs (99%) belonged to the Nitrosopumilales and were further clustered into five subclades ("NP-Alpha", "NP-Delta", "NP-Epsilon", "NP-Gamma", and "NP-Theta"). "NP-Epsilon" was the most dominant clade throughout the water column and "NP_Alpha" showed higher abundance only in the deeper water. Salinity and inorganic nutrient concentrations were the major factors that determined the vertical segregation of archaea. We anticipate that the observed differences in the vertical distribution of archaea might contribute to the compartmentalization of dark carbon fixation and nitrification in deeper water and organic matter degradation in surface waters of the Arctic Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puthiya Veettil Vipindas
- Arctic Ecology and Biogeochemistry Division, Ministry of Earth Sciences, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Vasco-da-Gama, Goa, 403 804, India.
| | - Thajudeen Jabir
- Arctic Ecology and Biogeochemistry Division, Ministry of Earth Sciences, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Vasco-da-Gama, Goa, 403 804, India
| | - Siddarthan Venkatachalam
- Arctic Ecology and Biogeochemistry Division, Ministry of Earth Sciences, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Vasco-da-Gama, Goa, 403 804, India
| | - Eun Jin Yang
- Division of Ocean Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, 26 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Anand Jain
- Arctic Ecology and Biogeochemistry Division, Ministry of Earth Sciences, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Vasco-da-Gama, Goa, 403 804, India
| | - Kottekkatu Padinchati Krishnan
- Arctic Ecology and Biogeochemistry Division, Ministry of Earth Sciences, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Vasco-da-Gama, Goa, 403 804, India
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Debeljak P, Bayer B, Sun Y, Herndl GJ, Obernosterer I. Seasonal patterns in microbial carbon and iron transporter expression in the Southern Ocean. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:187. [PMID: 37596690 PMCID: PMC10439609 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01600-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heterotrophic microbes in the Southern Ocean are challenged by the double constraint of low concentrations of organic carbon (C) and iron (Fe). These essential elements are tightly coupled in cellular processes; however, the prokaryotic requirements of C and Fe under varying environmental settings remain poorly studied. Here, we used a combination of metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics to identify prokaryotic membrane transporters for organic substrates and Fe in naturally iron-fertilized and high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll waters of the Southern Ocean during spring and late summer. RESULTS Pronounced differences in membrane transporter profiles between seasons were observed at both sites, both at the transcript and protein level. When specific compound classes were considered, the two approaches revealed different patterns. At the transcript level, seasonal patterns were only observed for subsets of genes belonging to each transporter category. At the protein level, membrane transporters of organic compounds were relatively more abundant in spring as compared to summer, while the opposite pattern was observed for Fe transporters. These observations suggest an enhanced requirement for organic C in early spring and for Fe in late summer. Mapping transcripts and proteins to 50 metagenomic-assembled genomes revealed distinct taxon-specific seasonal differences pointing to potentially opportunistic clades, such as Pseudomonadales and Nitrincolaceae, and groups with a more restricted repertoire of expressed transporters, such as Alphaproteobacteria and Flavobacteriaceae. CONCLUSION The combined investigations of C and Fe membrane transporters suggest seasonal changes in the microbial requirements of these elements under different productivity regimes. The taxon-specific acquisition strategies of different forms of C and Fe illustrate how diverse microbes could shape transcript and protein expression profiles at the community level at different seasons. Our results on the C- and Fe-related metabolic capabilities of microbial taxa provide new insights into their potential role in the cycling of C and Fe under varying nutrient regimes in the Southern Ocean. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavla Debeljak
- Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne (LOMIC), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Banyuls/Mer, F-66650, France.
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, 1030, Austria.
- SupBiotech, Villejuif, France.
| | - Barbara Bayer
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, 1030, Austria
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, 1030, Austria
| | - Ying Sun
- Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne (LOMIC), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Banyuls/Mer, F-66650, France
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, 266555, China
| | - Gerhard J Herndl
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, 1030, Austria
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research), Den Burg, 1790 AB, The Netherlands
- Vienna Metabolomics Center, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, 1030, Austria
| | - Ingrid Obernosterer
- Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne (LOMIC), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Banyuls/Mer, F-66650, France
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Chen X, Cai R, Zhuo X, Chen Q, He C, Sun J, Zhang Y, Zheng Q, Shi Q, Jiao N. Niche differentiation of microbial community shapes vertical distribution of recalcitrant dissolved organic matter in deep-sea sediments. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108080. [PMID: 37429058 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Sedimentary organic matter provides carbon substrates and energy sources for microorganisms, which drive benthic biogeochemical processes and in turn modify the quantity and quality of dissolved organic matter (DOM). However, the molecular composition and distribution of DOM and its interactions with microbes in deep-sea sediments remain poorly understood. Here, molecular composition of DOM and its relationship with microbes were analyzed in samples collected from two sediment cores (∼40 cm below the sea floor), at depths of 1157 and 2253 m from the South China Sea. Results show that niche differentiation was observed on a fine scale in different sediment layers, with Proteobacteria and Nitrososphaeria dominating the shallow sediments (0-6 cm) and Chloroflexi and Bathyarchaeia prevailing in deeper sediments (6-40 cm), indicating correspondence of microbial community composition with both geographical isolation and the availability of organic matter. An intimate link between the DOM composition and microbial community further indicates that, microbial mineralization of fresh organic matter in the shallow layer potentially resulted in the accumulation of recalcitrant DOM (RDOM), while relatively low abundance of RDOM was linked to anaerobic microbial utilization in deeper sediment layers. In addition, higher RDOM abundance in the overlying water, as compared to that in the surface sediment, suggests that sediment might be a source of deep-sea RDOM. These results emphasize the close relation between the distribution of sediment DOM and different microbial community, laying a foundation for understanding the complex dynamics of RDOM in deep-sea sediment and water column.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Chen
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Ruanhong Cai
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Xiaocun Zhuo
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Research Centre for Geomicrobial Resources and Application, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Quanrui Chen
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Chen He
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Research Centre for Geomicrobial Resources and Application, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Jia Sun
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Qiang Zheng
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Quan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Research Centre for Geomicrobial Resources and Application, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Nianzhi Jiao
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; Carbon Neutral Innovation Research Center, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
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Tinta T, Zhao Z, Bayer B, Herndl GJ. Jellyfish detritus supports niche partitioning and metabolic interactions among pelagic marine bacteria. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:156. [PMID: 37480075 PMCID: PMC10360251 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01598-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Jellyfish blooms represent a significant but largely overlooked source of labile organic matter (jelly-OM) in the ocean, characterized by a high protein content. Decaying jellyfish are important carriers for carbon export to the ocean's interior. To accurately incorporate them into biogeochemical models, the interactions between microbes and jelly-OM have yet to be fully characterized. We conducted jelly-OM enrichment experiments in microcosms to simulate the scenario experienced by the coastal pelagic microbiome after the decay of a jellyfish bloom. We combined metagenomics, endo- and exo-metaproteomic approaches to obtain a mechanistic understanding on the metabolic network operated by the jelly-OM degrading bacterial consortium. RESULTS Our analysis revealed that OM released during the decay of jellyfish blooms triggers a rapid shuffling of the taxonomic and functional profile of the pelagic bacterial community, resulting in a significant enrichment of protein/amino acid catabolism-related enzymes in the jelly-OM degrading community dominated by Pseudoalteromonadaceae, Alteromonadaceae and Vibrionaceae, compared to unamended control treatments. In accordance with the proteinaceous character of jelly-OM, Pseudoalteromonadaceae synthesized and excreted enzymes associated with proteolysis, while Alteromonadaceae contributed to extracellular hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates and organophosphorus compounds. In contrast, Vibrionaceae synthesized transporter proteins for peptides, amino acids and carbohydrates, exhibiting a cheater-type lifestyle, i.e. benefiting from public goods released by others. In the late stage of jelly-OM degradation, Rhodobacteraceae and Alteromonadaceae became dominant, growing on jelly-OM left-overs or bacterial debris, potentially contributing to the accumulation of dissolved organic nitrogen compounds and inorganic nutrients, following the decay of jellyfish blooms. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that specific chemical and metabolic fingerprints associated with decaying jellyfish blooms are substantially different to those previously associated with decaying phytoplankton blooms, potentially altering the functioning and biogeochemistry of marine systems. We show that decaying jellyfish blooms are associated with the enrichment in extracellular collagenolytic bacterial proteases, which could act as virulence factors in human and marine organisms' disease, with possible implications for marine ecosystem services. Our study also provides novel insights into niche partitioning and metabolic interactions among key jelly-OM degraders operating a complex metabolic network in a temporal cascade of biochemical reactions to degrade pulses of jellyfish-bloom-specific compounds in the water column. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinkara Tinta
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia.
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography and Marine Biology Unit, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Zihao Zhao
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography and Marine Biology Unit, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Bayer
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard J Herndl
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography and Marine Biology Unit, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- NIOZ, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, Den Burg, The Netherlands
- Vienna Metabolomics & Proteomics Center, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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10
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Wang H, Li P, Liu X, Zhang J, Stein LY, Gu JD. An overlooked influence of reactive oxygen species on ammonia-oxidizing microbial communities in redox-fluctuating aquifers. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119734. [PMID: 36804337 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are ubiquitous in O2-perturbed aquifers, but their role in shaping ammonia-oxidizing microbial communities is not clear. This study examined the dynamic responses of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms (AOMs) in redox-fluctuating aquifers to ROS via field investigation and in-lab verification using transcriptomes/ metatranscriptome and RT-qPCR. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) dominated recharge aquifers with lower ROS levels, whereas ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and heterotrophic nitrifying aerobic bacteria (HNB) predominated in discharge areas with higher ROS levels. Similar succession in AOM enrichments was found in that the dominant AOMs changed from AOA Nitrosopumilus to AOB Nitrosomonas with increasing ROS. Ammonia oxidation and antioxidant capacity differed significantly among three AOM isolates exposed to ROS. ROS decreased the amoA gene expression of AOA strain Nitrososphaera viennensis PLX03, accompanied by inhibited ammonia oxidation capacity. By contrast, the catalase and superoxide dismutase activities of the AOB strain Nitrosomonas oligotropha PLL12 and HNB strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PLL01 increased, and the antioxidant genes katG, sodA, ahpC, and ahpF were significantly upregulated. These results demonstrate that ROS exert an important influence on AOMs in redox-fluctuating aquifers. This study improves our understanding of the ecological niches of AOMs in surface/subsurface environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Ping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, PR China.
| | - Xiaohan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze Catchment Environmental Aquatic Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
| | - Lisa Y Stein
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Ji-Dong Gu
- Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Guangdong, 515063, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Technologies for Energy Conversion, Guangdong Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Guangdong, 515063, PR China
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11
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Sendra KM, Barwinska-Sendra A, Mackenzie ES, Baslé A, Kehl-Fie TE, Waldron KJ. An ancient metalloenzyme evolves through metal preference modulation. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:732-744. [PMID: 37037909 PMCID: PMC10172142 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02012-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Evolution creates functional diversity of proteins, the essential building blocks of all biological systems. However, studies of natural proteins sampled across the tree of life and evaluated in a single experimental system are lacking. Almost half of enzymes require metals, and metalloproteins tend to optimally utilize the physicochemical properties of a specific metal co-factor. Life must adapt to changes in metal bioavailability, including those during the transition from anoxic to oxic Earth or pathogens' exposure to nutritional immunity. These changes can challenge the ability of metalloenzymes to maintain activity, presumptively driving their evolution. Here we studied metal-preference evolution within the natural diversity of the iron/manganese superoxide dismutase (SodFM) family of reactive oxygen species scavengers. We identified and experimentally verified residues with conserved roles in determining metal preference that, when combined with an understanding of the protein's evolutionary history, improved prediction of metal utilization across the five SodFM subfamilies defined herein. By combining phylogenetics, biochemistry and structural biology, we demonstrate that SodFM metal utilization can be evolutionarily fine tuned by sliding along a scale between perfect manganese and iron specificities. Over the history of life, SodFM metal preference has been modulated multiple independent times within different evolutionary and ecological contexts, and can be changed within short evolutionary timeframes.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Sendra
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - A Barwinska-Sendra
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - E S Mackenzie
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - A Baslé
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - T E Kehl-Fie
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
| | - K J Waldron
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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12
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Hodgskiss LH, Melcher M, Kerou M, Chen W, Ponce-Toledo RI, Savvides SN, Wienkoop S, Hartl M, Schleper C. Unexpected complexity of the ammonia monooxygenase in archaea. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:588-599. [PMID: 36721060 PMCID: PMC10030591 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01367-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia oxidation, as the first step of nitrification, constitutes a critical process in the global nitrogen cycle. However, fundamental knowledge of its key enzyme, the copper-dependent ammonia monooxygenase, is lacking, in particular for the environmentally abundant ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA). Here the structure of the enzyme is investigated by blue-native gel electrophoresis and proteomics from native membrane complexes of two AOA. Besides the known AmoABC subunits and the earlier predicted AmoX, two new protein subunits, AmoY and AmoZ, were identified. They are unique to AOA, highly conserved and co-regulated, and their genes are linked to other AMO subunit genes in streamlined AOA genomes. Modeling and in-gel cross-link approaches support an overall protomer structure similar to the distantly related bacterial particulate methane monooxygenase but also reveals clear differences in extracellular domains of the enzyme. These data open avenues for further structure-function studies of this ecologically important nitrification complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan H Hodgskiss
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Melcher
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Melina Kerou
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Weiqiang Chen
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Rafael I Ponce-Toledo
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Savvas N Savvides
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Wienkoop
- Molecular Systems Biology Unit, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Hartl
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Max Perutz Labs, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christa Schleper
- Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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13
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Shao YH, Wu YW, Naufal M, Wu JH. Genome-centered metagenomics illuminates adaptations of core members to a partial Nitritation-Anammox bioreactor under periodic microaeration. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1046769. [PMID: 36778888 PMCID: PMC9909701 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1046769] [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: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The partial nitritation-anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox; PN-A) process has been considered a sustainable method for wastewater ammonium removal, with recent attempts to treat low-strength wastewater. However, how microbes adapt to the alternate microaerobic-anoxic operation of the process when treating low ammonium concentrations remains poorly understood. In this study, we applied a metagenomic approach to determine the genomic contents of core members in a PN-A reactor treating inorganic ammonium wastewater at loading as low as 0.0192 kg-N/m3/day. The metabolic traits of metagenome-assembled genomes from 18 core species were analyzed. Taxonomically diverse ammonia oxidizers, including two Nitrosomonas species, a comammox Nitrospira species, a novel Chloroflexota-related species, and two anammox bacteria, Ca. Brocadia and Ca. Jettenia, accounted for the PN-A reactions. The characteristics of a series of genes encoding class II ribonucleotide reductase, high-affinity bd-type terminal oxidase, and diverse antioxidant enzymes revealed that comammox Nitrospira has a superior adaptation ability over the competitors, which may confer the privileged partnership with anammox bacteria in the PN-A reactor. This finding is supported by the long-term monitoring experiment, showing the predominance of the comammox Nitrospira in the ammonia-oxidizing community. Metagenomic analysis of seven heterotrophs suggested that nitrate reduction is a common capability in potentially using endogenous carbohydrates and peptides to enhance nitrogen removals. The prevalence of class II ribonucleotide reductase and antioxidant enzymes genes may grant the adaptation to cyclically microaerobic/anoxic environments. The predominant heterotroph is affiliated with Chloroflexota; its genome encodes complete pathways for synthesizing vitamin B6 and methionine. By contrast, other than the two growth factors, Nitrospira and anammox bacteria are complementary to produce various vitamins and amino acids. Besides, the novel Chloroflexota-related ammonia oxidizer lacks corresponding genes for detoxifying the reactive oxygen species and thus requires the aid of co-existing members to alleviate oxidative stress. The analysis results forecast the exchanges of substrates and nutrients as well as the collective alleviation of oxidative stress among the core populations. The new findings of the genomic features and predicted microbial interplay shed light on microbial adaptation to intermittent microaeration specific to the PN-A reactor, which may aid in improving its application to low-strength ammonium wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Hsien Shao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wei Wu
- College of Medical Science and Technology, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Muhammad Naufal
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jer-Horng Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan,*Correspondence: Jer-Horng Wu, ✉
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14
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Bayer B, McBeain K, Carlson CA, Santoro AE. Carbon content, carbon fixation yield and dissolved organic carbon release from diverse marine nitrifiers. LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY 2023; 68:84-96. [PMID: 37064272 PMCID: PMC10092583 DOI: 10.1002/lno.12252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Nitrifying microorganisms, including ammonia-oxidizing archaea, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, are the most abundant chemoautotrophs in the ocean and play an important role in the global carbon cycle by fixing dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) into biomass. The release of organic compounds by these microbes is not well quantified, but may represent an as-yet unaccounted source of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) available to marine food webs. Here, we provide measurements of cellular carbon and nitrogen quotas, DIC fixation yields and DOC release of 10 phylogenetically diverse marine nitrifiers. All investigated strains released DOC during growth, representing on average 5-15% of the fixed DIC. Changes in substrate concentration and temperature did not affect the proportion of fixed DIC released as DOC, but release rates varied between closely related species. Our results also indicate previous studies may have underestimated DIC fixation yields of marine nitrite oxidizers due to partial decoupling of nitrite oxidation from CO2 fixation, and due to lower observed yields in artificial compared to natural seawater medium. The results of this study provide critical values for biogeochemical models of the global carbon cycle, and help to further constrain the implications of nitrification-fueled chemoautotrophy for marine food-web functioning and the biological sequestration of carbon in the ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bayer
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCalifornia
- Present address:
Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem ScienceUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Kelsey McBeain
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCalifornia
- Present address:
Department of OceanographyUniversity of Hawai'i at ManoaHonoluluHawaii
| | - Craig A. Carlson
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCalifornia
| | - Alyson E. Santoro
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine BiologyUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCalifornia
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15
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Ide H, Ishii K, Takahashi Y, Fujitani H, Tsuneda S. Effects of Co-existing Heterotrophs on Physiology of and Nitrogen Metabolism in Autotrophic Nitrite-oxidizing Candidatus Nitrotoga. Microbes Environ 2023; 38:ME23076. [PMID: 38072409 PMCID: PMC10728634 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me23076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions between autotrophic nitrifiers and heterotrophs have attracted considerable attention in microbial ecology. However, the mechanisms by which heterotrophs affect the physiological activity of and nitrogen metabolism in autotrophic nitrite oxidizers remain unclear. We herein focused on nitrite-oxidizing Candidatus Nitrotoga and compared an axenic culture including only Ca. Nitrotoga with a co-culture of both Ca. Nitrotoga and Acidovorax in physiological experiments and transcriptomics. In the co-culture with Acidovorax, nitrite consumption by Ca. Nitrotoga was promoted, and some genes relevant to nitrogen metabolism in Ca. Nitrotoga were highly expressed. These results provide insights into the mechanisms by which co-existing heterotrophs affect autotrophic nitrifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto Ide
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kento Ishii
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
- Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yu Takahashi
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotsugu Fujitani
- Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Tsuneda
- Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
- Research Organization for Nano & Life Innovation, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
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16
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Heterotrophic Bacteria Dominate Catalase Expression during Microcystis Blooms. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0254421. [PMID: 35862723 PMCID: PMC9328184 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02544-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the oligotrophic oceans, key autotrophs depend on "helper" bacteria to reduce oxidative stress from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the extracellular environment. H2O2 is also a ubiquitous stressor in freshwaters, but the effects of H2O2 on autotrophs and their interactions with bacteria are less well understood in freshwaters. Naturally occurring H2O2 in freshwater systems is proposed to impact the proportion of microcystin-producing (toxic) and non-microcystin-producing (nontoxic) Microcystis in blooms, which influences toxin concentrations and human health impacts. However, how different strains of Microcystis respond to naturally occurring H2O2 concentrations and the microbes responsible for H2O2 decomposition in freshwater cyanobacterial blooms are unknown. To address these knowledge gaps, we used metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to track the presence and expression of genes for H2O2 decomposition by microbes during a cyanobacterial bloom in western Lake Erie in the summer of 2014. katG encodes the key enzyme for decomposing extracellular H2O2 but was absent in most Microcystis cells. katG transcript relative abundance was dominated by heterotrophic bacteria. In axenic Microcystis cultures, an H2O2 scavenger (pyruvate) significantly improved growth rates of one toxic strain while other toxic and nontoxic strains were unaffected. These results indicate that heterotrophic bacteria play a key role in H2O2 decomposition in Microcystis blooms and suggest that their activity may affect the fitness of some Microcystis strains and thus the strain composition of Microcystis blooms but not along a toxic versus nontoxic dichotomy. IMPORTANCE Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) threaten freshwater ecosystems globally through the production of toxins. Toxin production by cyanobacterial species and strains during CHABs varies widely over time and space, but the ecological drivers of the succession of toxin-producing species remain unclear. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is ubiquitous in natural waters, inhibits microbial growth, and may determine the relative proportions of Microcystis strains during blooms. However, the mechanisms and organismal interactions involved in H2O2 decomposition are unexplored in CHABs. This study shows that some strains of bloom-forming freshwater cyanobacteria benefit from detoxification of H2O2 by associated heterotrophic bacteria, which may impact bloom development.
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17
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Morris JJ, Rose AL, Lu Z. Reactive oxygen species in the world ocean and their impacts on marine ecosystems. Redox Biol 2022; 52:102285. [PMID: 35364435 PMCID: PMC8972015 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are omnipresent in the ocean, originating from both biological (e.g., unbalanced metabolism or stress) and non-biological processes (e.g. photooxidation of colored dissolved organic matter). ROS can directly affect the growth of marine organisms, and can also influence marine biogeochemistry, thus indirectly impacting the availability of nutrients and food sources. Microbial communities and evolution are shaped by marine ROS, and in turn microorganisms influence steady-state ROS concentrations by acting as the predominant sink for marine ROS. Through their interactions with trace metals and organic matter, ROS can enhance microbial growth, but ROS can also attack biological macromolecules, causing extensive modifications with deleterious results. Several biogeochemically important taxa are vulnerable to very low ROS concentrations within the ranges measured in situ, including the globally distributed marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus and ammonia-oxidizing archaea of the phylum Thaumarchaeota. Finally, climate change may increase the amount of ROS in the ocean, especially in the most productive surface layers. In this review, we explore the sources of ROS and their roles in the oceans, how the dynamics of ROS might change in the future, and how this change might impact the ecology and chemistry of the future ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Jeffrey Morris
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Andrew L Rose
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Zhiying Lu
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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18
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Reji L, Cardarelli EL, Boye K, Bargar JR, Francis CA. Diverse ecophysiological adaptations of subsurface Thaumarchaeota in floodplain sediments revealed through genome-resolved metagenomics. THE ISME JOURNAL 2022; 16:1140-1152. [PMID: 34873295 PMCID: PMC8940955 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-01167-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The terrestrial subsurface microbiome contains vastly underexplored phylogenetic diversity and metabolic novelty, with critical implications for global biogeochemical cycling. Among the key microbial inhabitants of subsurface soils and sediments are Thaumarchaeota, an archaeal phylum that encompasses ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) as well as non-ammonia-oxidizing basal lineages. Thaumarchaeal ecology in terrestrial systems has been extensively characterized, particularly in the case of AOA. However, there is little knowledge on the diversity and ecophysiology of Thaumarchaeota in deeper soils, as most lineages, particularly basal groups, remain uncultivated and underexplored. Here we use genome-resolved metagenomics to examine the phylogenetic and metabolic diversity of Thaumarchaeota along a 234 cm depth profile of hydrologically variable riparian floodplain sediments in the Wind River Basin near Riverton, Wyoming. Phylogenomic analysis of the metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) indicates a shift in AOA population structure from the dominance of the terrestrial Nitrososphaerales lineage in the well-drained top ~100 cm of the profile to the typically marine Nitrosopumilales in deeper, moister, more energy-limited sediment layers. We also describe two deeply rooting non-AOA MAGs with numerous unexpected metabolic features, including the reductive acetyl-CoA (Wood-Ljungdahl) pathway, tetrathionate respiration, a form III RuBisCO, and the potential for extracellular electron transfer. These MAGs also harbor tungsten-containing aldehyde:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, group 4f [NiFe]-hydrogenases and a canonical heme catalase, typically not found in Thaumarchaeota. Our results suggest that hydrological variables, particularly proximity to the water table, impart a strong control on the ecophysiology of Thaumarchaeota in alluvial sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linta Reji
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA ,grid.16750.350000 0001 2097 5006Present Address: Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA
| | - Emily L. Cardarelli
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA ,grid.20861.3d0000000107068890Present Address: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA USA
| | - Kristin Boye
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - John R. Bargar
- grid.445003.60000 0001 0725 7771Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Christopher A. Francis
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
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19
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Pontrelli S, Szabo R, Pollak S, Schwartzman J, Ledezma-Tejeida D, Cordero OX, Sauer U. Metabolic cross-feeding structures the assembly of polysaccharide degrading communities. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabk3076. [PMID: 35196097 PMCID: PMC8865766 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk3076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic processes that fuel the growth of heterotrophic microbial communities are initiated by specialized biopolymer degraders that decompose complex forms of organic matter. It is unclear, however, to what extent degraders structure the downstream assembly of the community that follows polymer breakdown. Investigating a model marine microbial community that degrades chitin, we show that chitinases secreted by different degraders produce oligomers of specific chain lengths that not only select for specialized consumers but also influence the metabolites secreted by these consumers into a shared resource pool. Each species participating in the breakdown cascade exhibits unique hierarchical preferences for substrates, which underlies the sequential colonization of metabolically distinct groups as resource availability changes over time. By identifying the metabolic underpinnings of microbial community assembly, we reveal a hierarchical cross-feeding structure that allows biopolymer degraders to shape the dynamics of community assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sammy Pontrelli
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Rachel Szabo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Microbiology Graduate Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Shaul Pollak
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Julia Schwartzman
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Otto X. Cordero
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Uwe Sauer
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
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20
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Murakami C, Machida K, Nakao Y, Kindaichi T, Ohashi A, Aoi Y. Mutualistic relationship between Nitrospira and concomitant heterotrophs. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2022; 14:130-137. [PMID: 34862743 PMCID: PMC9300095 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nitrifying chemoautotrophs support the growth of diverse concomitant heterotrophs in natural or engineered environments by supplying organic compounds. In this study, we aimed to investigate this microbial association, especially (i) to distinguish whether the relationship between nitrifying chemoautotrophs and heterotrophs is commensal or mutualistic, and (ii) to clarify how heterotrophs promote the growth of autotrophic nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (Nitrospira). Pure cultured Nitrospira (Nitrospira sp. ND1) was employed in this study. Heterotrophs growing with metabolic by-products of Nitrospira as a sole carbon source were isolated from several environmental samples and used to test the growth-promoting activity of Nitrospira. Furthermore, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was conducted to evaluate how heterotrophs consumed chemical compounds produced by Nitrospira and newly produced during co-cultivation. Notably, Nitrospira growth was stimulated by co-cultivation with some heterotrophs and the addition of spent media of some strains, suggesting that not only heterotrophs but also Nitrospira received benefits from their mutual co-existence. Furthermore, the data suggested that some of the growth-promoting heterotrophs provided as-yet-unidentified growth-promoting factors to Nitrospira. Overall, Nitrospira and heterotrophs thus appear to exhibit a mutualistic relationship. Such mutualistic relationships between autotrophs and heterotrophs would contribute to the stability and diversity of microbial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiho Murakami
- Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringGraduate School of Engineering Hiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Unit of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for LifeHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Institute for Sustainable Science and DevelopmentHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Koshi Machida
- Waseda Research Institute for Science and EngineeringWaseda UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Yoichi Nakao
- Waseda Research Institute for Science and EngineeringWaseda UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Tomonori Kindaichi
- Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringGraduate School of Engineering Hiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Akiyoshi Ohashi
- Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringGraduate School of Engineering Hiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Yoshiteru Aoi
- Unit of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for LifeHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Institute for Sustainable Science and DevelopmentHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
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21
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Orel N, Fadeev E, Klun K, Ličer M, Tinta T, Turk V. Bacterial Indicators Are Ubiquitous Members of Pelagic Microbiome in Anthropogenically Impacted Coastal Ecosystem. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:765091. [PMID: 35111137 PMCID: PMC8801744 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.765091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Coastal zones are exposed to various anthropogenic impacts, such as different types of wastewater pollution, e.g., treated wastewater discharges, leakage from sewage systems, and agricultural and urban runoff. These various inputs can introduce allochthonous organic matter and microbes, including pathogens, into the coastal marine environment. The presence of fecal bacterial indicators in the coastal environment is usually monitored using traditional culture-based methods that, however, fail to detect their uncultured representatives. We have conducted a year-around in situ survey of the pelagic microbiome of the dynamic coastal ecosystem, subjected to different anthropogenic pressures to depict the seasonal and spatial dynamics of traditional and alternative fecal bacterial indicators. To provide an insight into the environmental conditions under which bacterial indicators thrive, a suite of environmental factors and bacterial community dynamics were analyzed concurrently. Analyses of 16S rRNA amplicon sequences revealed that the coastal microbiome was primarily structured by seasonal changes regardless of the distance from the wastewater pollution sources. On the other hand, fecal bacterial indicators were not affected by seasons and accounted for up to 34% of the sequence proportion for a given sample. Even more so, traditional fecal indicator bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae) and alternative wastewater-associated bacteria (Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Arcobacteraceae, Pseudomonadaceae and Vibrionaceae) were part of the core coastal microbiome, i.e., present at all sampling stations. Microbial source tracking and Lagrangian particle tracking, which we employed to assess the potential pollution source, revealed the importance of riverine water as a vector for transmission of allochthonous microbes into the marine system. Further phylogenetic analysis showed that the Arcobacteraceae in our data set was affiliated with the pathogenic Arcobacter cryaerophilus, suggesting that a potential exposure risk for bacterial pathogens in anthropogenically impacted coastal zones remains. We emphasize that molecular analyses combined with statistical and oceanographic models may provide new insights for environmental health assessment and reveal the potential source and presence of microbial indicators, which are otherwise overlooked by a cultivation approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neža Orel
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
- *Correspondence: Neža Orel,
| | - Eduard Fadeev
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Klun
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Ličer
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
- Office for Meteorology, Hydrology and Oceanography, Slovenian Environment Agency, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tinkara Tinta
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
- Tinkara Tinta,
| | - Valentina Turk
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
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22
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Han Y, Zhang M, Chen X, Zhai W, Tan E, Tang K. Transcriptomic evidences for microbial carbon and nitrogen cycles in the deoxygenated seawaters of Bohai Sea. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106889. [PMID: 34619534 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Eutrophication-induced water deoxygenation occurs continually in coastal oceans, and alters community structure, metabolic processes, and the energy shunt, resulting in a major threat to the ecological environment. Seasonal deoxygenation events have occurred in the Bohai Sea (China), however, how these affect the functional activity of microorganisms remains unclear. Here, through the use of absolute quantification of 16S rRNA genes amplicon sequencing and metatranscriptomics approaches, we investigated the structure of the microbial community and the patterns of transcriptional activity in deoxygenated seawaters. The dominant phyla were Proteobacteria (average value, 1.4 × 106 copies ml-1), Cyanobacteria (3.7 × 105 copies ml-1), Bacteroidetes (2.7 × 105 copies ml-1), and the ammonia-oxidizing archaea Thaumarchaeota (1.9 × 105 copies ml-1). Among the various environmental factors, dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature displayed the most significant correlation with microbial community composition and functional activity. Metatranscriptomic data showed high transcriptional activity of Thaumarchaeota in the deoxygenated waters, with a significant increase in the expression of core genes representing ammonia oxidation, ammonia transport, and carbon fixation (3-hydroxypropionic acid/4-hydroxybutyric acid cycle) pathways. The transcripts of Cyanobacteria involved in photosynthesis and carbon fixation (Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle) significantly decreased in low oxygen waters. Meanwhile, the transcripts for the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-encoding gene shifted from being assigned to photoautotrophic to chemoautotrophic organisms in surface and bottom waters, respectively. Moreover, the transcription profile indicated that heterotrophs play a critical role in transforming low-molecular-weight dissolved organic nitrogen. Elevated abundances of transcripts related to microbial antioxidant activity corresponded to an enhanced aerobic metabolism of Thaumarchaeota in the low oxygen seawater. In general, our transcriptional evidences showed a population increase of Thaumarchaeota, especially the coastal ecotype of ammonia oxidizers, in low oxygen aquatic environments, and indicated an enhanced contribution of chemolithoautotrophic carbon fixation to carbon flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Han
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China
| | - Mu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China
| | - Xiaofeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China
| | - Weidong Zhai
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong, PR China
| | - Ehui Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, PR China
| | - Kai Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Fujian Key Laboratory of Marine Carbon Sequestration, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, PR China.
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23
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Dick GJ, Duhaime MB, Evans JT, Errera RM, Godwin CM, Kharbush JJ, Nitschky HS, Powers MA, Vanderploeg HA, Schmidt KC, Smith DJ, Yancey CE, Zwiers CC, Denef VJ. The genetic and ecophysiological diversity of Microcystis. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:7278-7313. [PMID: 34056822 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Microcystis is a cyanobacterium that forms toxic blooms in freshwater ecosystems around the world. Biological variation among taxa within the genus is apparent through genetic and phenotypic differences between strains and via the spatial and temporal distribution of strains in the environment, and this fine-scale diversity exerts strong influence over bloom toxicity. Yet we do not know how varying traits of Microcystis strains govern their environmental distribution, the tradeoffs and links between these traits, or how they are encoded at the genomic level. Here we synthesize current knowledge on the importance of diversity within Microcystis and on the genes and traits that likely underpin ecological differentiation of taxa. We briefly review spatial and environmental patterns of Microcystis diversity in the field and genetic evidence for cohesive groups within Microcystis. We then compile data on strain-level diversity regarding growth responses to environmental conditions and explore evidence for variation of community interactions across Microcystis strains. Potential links and tradeoffs between traits are identified and discussed. The resulting picture, while incomplete, highlights key knowledge gaps that need to be filled to enable new models for predicting strain-level dynamics, which influence the development, toxicity and cosmopolitan nature of Microcystis blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J Dick
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Melissa B Duhaime
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jacob T Evans
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Reagan M Errera
- National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Casey M Godwin
- School for Environment and Sustainability, Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jenan J Kharbush
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Helena S Nitschky
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - McKenzie A Powers
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Henry A Vanderploeg
- National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kathryn C Schmidt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Derek J Smith
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Colleen E Yancey
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Claire C Zwiers
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vincent J Denef
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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24
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Shafiee RT, Snow JT, Hester S, Zhang Q, Rickaby REM. Proteomic response of the marine ammonia-oxidising archaeon Nitrosopumilus maritimus to iron limitation reveals strategies to compensate for nutrient scarcity. Environ Microbiol 2021; 24:835-849. [PMID: 33876540 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Dissolved iron (Fe) is vanishingly low in the oceans, with ecological success conferred to microorganisms that can restructure their biochemistry to maintain high growth rates during Fe scarcity. Chemolithoautotrophic ammonia-oxidising archaea (AOA) are highly abundant in the oceans, constituting ~30% of cells below the photic zone. Here we examine the proteomic response of the AOA isolate Nitrosopumilus maritimus to growth-limiting Fe concentrations. Under Fe limitation, we observed a significant reduction in the intensity of Fe-dense ferredoxins associated with respiratory complex I whilst complex III and IV proteins with more central roles in the electron transport chain remain unchanged. We concomitantly observed an increase in the intensity of Fe-free functional alternatives such as flavodoxin and plastocyanin, thioredoxin and alkyl hydroperoxide which are known to mediate electron transport and reactive oxygen species detoxification, respectively. Under Fe limitation, we found a marked increase in the intensity of the ABC phosphonate transport system (Phn), highlighting an intriguing link between Fe and P cycling in N. maritimus. We hypothesise that an elevated uptake of exogenous phosphonates under Fe limitation may either supplement N. maritimus' endogenous methylphosphonate biosynthesis pathway - which requires Fe - or enhance the production of phosphonate-containing exopolysaccharides known to efficiently bind environmental Fe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana T Shafiee
- Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AN, UK
| | - Joseph T Snow
- Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AN, UK
| | - Svenja Hester
- Department of Biochemistry, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AN, UK
| | - Rosalind E M Rickaby
- Department of Earth Sciences, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AN, UK
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25
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Bayer B, Saito MA, McIlvin MR, Lücker S, Moran DM, Lankiewicz TS, Dupont CL, Santoro AE. Metabolic versatility of the nitrite-oxidizing bacterium Nitrospira marina and its proteomic response to oxygen-limited conditions. THE ISME JOURNAL 2021; 15:1025-1039. [PMID: 33230266 PMCID: PMC8115632 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-00828-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The genus Nitrospira is the most widespread group of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria and thrives in diverse natural and engineered ecosystems. Nitrospira marina Nb-295T was isolated from the ocean over 30 years ago; however, its genome has not yet been analyzed. Here, we investigated the metabolic potential of N. marina based on its complete genome sequence and performed physiological experiments to test genome-derived hypotheses. Our data confirm that N. marina benefits from additions of undefined organic carbon substrates, has adaptations to resist oxidative, osmotic, and UV light-induced stress and low dissolved pCO2, and requires exogenous vitamin B12. In addition, N. marina is able to grow chemoorganotrophically on formate, and is thus not an obligate chemolithoautotroph. We further investigated the proteomic response of N. marina to low (∼5.6 µM) O2 concentrations. The abundance of a potentially more efficient CO2-fixing pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (POR) complex and a high-affinity cbb3-type terminal oxidase increased under O2 limitation, suggesting a role in sustaining nitrite oxidation-driven autotrophy. This putatively more O2-sensitive POR complex might be protected from oxidative damage by Cu/Zn-binding superoxide dismutase, which also increased in abundance under low O2 conditions. Furthermore, the upregulation of proteins involved in alternative energy metabolisms, including Group 3b [NiFe] hydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase, indicate a high metabolic versatility to survive conditions unfavorable for aerobic nitrite oxidation. In summary, the genome and proteome of the first marine Nitrospira isolate identifies adaptations to life in the oxic ocean and provides insights into the metabolic diversity and niche differentiation of NOB in marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bayer
- grid.133342.40000 0004 1936 9676Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA USA
| | - Mak A. Saito
- grid.56466.370000 0004 0504 7510Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA USA
| | - Matthew R. McIlvin
- grid.56466.370000 0004 0504 7510Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA USA
| | - Sebastian Lücker
- grid.5590.90000000122931605Department of Microbiology, IWWR, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dawn M. Moran
- grid.56466.370000 0004 0504 7510Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA USA
| | - Thomas S. Lankiewicz
- grid.133342.40000 0004 1936 9676Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA USA
| | | | - Alyson E. Santoro
- grid.133342.40000 0004 1936 9676Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA USA
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26
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Mueller AJ, Jung MY, Strachan CR, Herbold CW, Kirkegaard RH, Wagner M, Daims H. Genomic and kinetic analysis of novel Nitrospinae enriched by cell sorting. THE ISME JOURNAL 2021; 15:732-745. [PMID: 33067588 PMCID: PMC8026999 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-00809-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Chemolithoautotrophic nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) are key players in global nitrogen and carbon cycling. Members of the phylum Nitrospinae are the most abundant, known NOB in the oceans. To date, only two closely affiliated Nitrospinae species have been isolated, which are only distantly related to the environmentally abundant uncultured Nitrospinae clades. Here, we applied live cell sorting, activity screening, and subcultivation on marine nitrite-oxidizing enrichments to obtain novel marine Nitrospinae. Two binary cultures were obtained, each containing one Nitrospinae strain and one alphaproteobacterial heterotroph. The Nitrospinae strains represent two new genera, and one strain is more closely related to environmentally abundant Nitrospinae than previously cultured NOB. With an apparent half-saturation constant of 8.7 ± 2.5 µM, this strain has the highest affinity for nitrite among characterized marine NOB, while the other strain (16.2 ± 1.6 µM) and Nitrospina gracilis (20.1 ± 2.1 µM) displayed slightly lower nitrite affinities. The new strains and N. gracilis share core metabolic pathways for nitrite oxidation and CO2 fixation but differ remarkably in their genomic repertoires of terminal oxidases, use of organic N sources, alternative energy metabolisms, osmotic stress and phage defense. The new strains, tentatively named "Candidatus Nitrohelix vancouverensis" and "Candidatus Nitronauta litoralis", shed light on the niche differentiation and potential ecological roles of Nitrospinae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J Mueller
- University of Vienna, Division of Microbial Ecology, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Man-Young Jung
- University of Vienna, Division of Microbial Ecology, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Science Education, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Cameron R Strachan
- Department for Farm Animals and Public Health, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
- FFoQSI GmbH, Technopark 1C, 3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Craig W Herbold
- University of Vienna, Division of Microbial Ecology, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rasmus H Kirkegaard
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Center for Microbial Communities, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Michael Wagner
- University of Vienna, Division of Microbial Ecology, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Center for Microbial Communities, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
- University of Vienna, The Comammox Research Platform, Vienna, Austria
| | - Holger Daims
- University of Vienna, Division of Microbial Ecology, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- University of Vienna, The Comammox Research Platform, Vienna, Austria.
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27
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Ammonia-oxidizing archaea in biological interactions. J Microbiol 2021; 59:298-310. [DOI: 10.1007/s12275-021-1005-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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28
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Production and Excretion of Polyamines To Tolerate High Ammonia, a Case Study on Soil Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaeon " Candidatus Nitrosocosmicus agrestis". mSystems 2021; 6:6/1/e01003-20. [PMID: 33594004 PMCID: PMC8573960 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01003-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ammonia tolerance is a universal characteristic among the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB); in contrast, the known species of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) have been regarded as ammonia sensitive, until the identification of the genus “Candidatus Nitrosocosmicus.” However, the mechanism of its ammonia tolerance has not been reported. In this study, the AOA species “Candidatus Nitrosocosmicus agrestis,” obtained from agricultural soil, was determined to be able to tolerate high concentrations of NH3 (>1,500 μM). In the genome of this strain, which was recovered from metagenomic data, a full set of genes for the pathways of polysaccharide metabolism, urea hydrolysis, arginine synthesis, and polyamine synthesis was identified. Among them, the genes encoding cytoplasmic carbonic anhydrase (CA) and a potential polyamine transporter (drug/metabolite exporter [DME]) were found to be unique to the genus “Ca. Nitrosocosmicus.” When “Ca. Nitrosocosmicus agrestis” was grown with high levels of ammonia, the genes that participate in CO2/HCO3− conversion, glutamate/glutamine syntheses, arginine synthesis, polyamine synthesis, and polyamine excretion were significantly upregulated, and the polyamines, including putrescine and spermidine, had significant levels of production. Based on genome analysis, gene expression quantification, and polyamine determination, we propose that the production and excretion of polyamines is probably one of the reasons for the ammonia tolerance of “Ca. Nitrosocosmicus agrestis,” and even of the genus “Ca. Nitrosocosmicus.” IMPORTANCE Ammonia tolerance of AOA is usually much lower than that of the AOB, which makes the AOB rather than AOA a predominant ammonia oxidizer in agricultural soils, contributing to global N2O emission. Recently, some AOA species from the genus “Ca. Nitrosocosmicus” were also found to have high ammonia tolerance. However, the reported mechanism for the ammonia tolerance is very rare and indeterminate for AOB and for AOA species. In this study, an ammonia-tolerant AOA strain of the species “Ca. Nitrosocosmicus agrestis” was identified and its potential mechanisms for ammonia tolerance were explored. This study will be of benefit for determining more of the ecological role of AOA in agricultural soils or other environments.
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29
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Reyes C, Hodgskiss LH, Kerou M, Pribasnig T, Abby SS, Bayer B, Kraemer SM, Schleper C. Genome wide transcriptomic analysis of the soil ammonia oxidizing archaeon Nitrososphaera viennensis upon exposure to copper limitation. THE ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:2659-2674. [PMID: 32665710 PMCID: PMC7785015 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0715-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are widespread in nature and are involved in nitrification, an essential process in the global nitrogen cycle. The enzymes for ammonia oxidation and electron transport rely heavily on copper (Cu), which can be limited in nature. In this study the model soil archaeon Nitrososphaera viennensis was investigated via transcriptomic analysis to gain insight regarding possible Cu uptake mechanisms and compensation strategies when Cu becomes limiting. Upon Cu limitation, N. viennensis exhibited impaired nitrite production and thus growth, which was paralleled by downregulation of ammonia oxidation, electron transport, carbon fixation, nucleotide, and lipid biosynthesis pathway genes. Under Cu-limitation, 1547 out of 3180 detected genes were differentially expressed, with 784 genes upregulated and 763 downregulated. The most highly upregulated genes encoded proteins with a possible role in Cu binding and uptake, such as the Cu chelator and transporter CopC/D, disulfide bond oxidoreductase D (dsbD), and multicopper oxidases. While this response differs from the marine strain Nitrosopumilus maritimus, conserved sequence motifs in some of the Cu-responsive genes suggest conserved transcriptional regulation in terrestrial AOA. This study provides possible gene regulation and energy conservation mechanisms linked to Cu bioavailability and presents the first model for Cu uptake by a soil AOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Reyes
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA2, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA1, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Environmental Science Research Network (ESRN), Faculty for Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA2, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Logan H Hodgskiss
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA1, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Environmental Science Research Network (ESRN), Faculty for Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA2, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Melina Kerou
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA1, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Environmental Science Research Network (ESRN), Faculty for Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA2, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Pribasnig
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA1, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Environmental Science Research Network (ESRN), Faculty for Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA2, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sophie S Abby
- University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, TIMC-IMAG, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Barbara Bayer
- Environmental Science Research Network (ESRN), Faculty for Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA2, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Limnology and Oceanography, Division of Bio-oceanography, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA1, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-9620, USA
| | - Stephan M Kraemer
- Department of Environmental Geosciences, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA2, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Environmental Science Research Network (ESRN), Faculty for Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA2, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christa Schleper
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Archaea Biology and Ecogenomics Unit, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA1, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Environmental Science Research Network (ESRN), Faculty for Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, UZA2, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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30
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Tinta T, Zhao Z, Escobar A, Klun K, Bayer B, Amano C, Bamonti L, Herndl GJ. Microbial Processing of Jellyfish Detritus in the Ocean. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:590995. [PMID: 33193256 PMCID: PMC7662693 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.590995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
When jellyfish blooms decay, sinking jellyfish detrital organic matter (jelly-OM), rich in proteins and characterized by a low C:N ratio, becomes a significant source of OM for marine microorganisms. Yet, the key players and the process of microbial jelly-OM degradation and the consequences for marine ecosystems remain unclear. We simulated the scenario potentially experienced by the coastal pelagic microbiome after the decay of a bloom of the cosmopolitan Aurelia aurita s.l. We show that about half of the jelly-OM is instantly available as dissolved organic matter and thus, exclusively and readily accessible to microbes. During a typical decay of an A. aurita bloom in the northern Adriatic Sea about 100 mg of jelly-OM L-1 becomes available, about 44 μmol L-1 as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), 13 μmol L-1 as total dissolved nitrogen, 11 μmol L-1 of total hydrolyzable dissolved amino acids (THDAA) and 0.6 μmol L-1 PO4 3-. The labile jelly-OM was degraded within 1.5 days (>98% of proteins, ∼70% of THDAA, 97% of dissolved free amino acids and the entire jelly-DOC pool) by a consortium of Pseudoalteromonas, Alteromonas, and Vibrio. These bacteria accounted for >90% of all metabolically active jelly-OM degraders, exhibiting high bacterial growth efficiencies. This implies that a major fraction of the detrital jelly-OM is rapidly incorporated into biomass by opportunistic bacteria. Microbial processing of jelly-OM resulted in the accumulation of tryptophan, dissolved combined amino acids and inorganic nutrients, with possible implications for biogeochemical cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinkara Tinta
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Zihao Zhao
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Metabolomics Center, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alvaro Escobar
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Klun
- Marine Biology Station Piran, National Institute of Biology, Piran, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Bayer
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chie Amano
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luca Bamonti
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard J Herndl
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Bio-Oceanography Unit, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Metabolomics Center, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Utrecht University, Den Burg, Netherlands
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31
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Ancestral Reconstructions Decipher Major Adaptations of Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaea upon Radiation into Moderate Terrestrial and Marine Environments. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.02371-20. [PMID: 33051370 PMCID: PMC7554672 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02371-20] [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] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike all other archaeal lineages, ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) of the phylum Thaumarchaeota are widespread and abundant in all moderate and oxic environments on Earth. The evolutionary adaptations that led to such unprecedented ecological success of a microbial clade characterized by highly conserved energy and carbon metabolisms have, however, remained underexplored. Here, we reconstructed the genomic content and growth temperature of the ancestor of all AOA, as well as the ancestors of the marine and soil lineages, based on 39 available complete or nearly complete genomes of AOA. Our evolutionary scenario depicts an extremely thermophilic, autotrophic, aerobic ancestor from which three independent lineages of a marine and two terrestrial groups radiated into moderate environments. Their emergence was paralleled by (i) a continuous acquisition of an extensive collection of stress tolerance genes mostly involved in redox maintenance and oxygen detoxification, (ii) an expansion of regulatory capacities in transcription and central metabolic functions, and (iii) an extended repertoire of cell appendages and modifications related to adherence and interactions with the environment. Our analysis provides insights into the evolutionary transitions and key processes that enabled the conquest of the diverse environments in which contemporary AOA are found.
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32
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Dai J, Ye Q, Wu Y, Zhang M, Zhang J. Simulation of Enhanced Growth of Marine Group II Euryarchaeota From the Deep Chlorophyll Maximum of the Western Pacific Ocean: Implication for Upwelling Impact on Microbial Functions in the Photic Zone. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:571199. [PMID: 33013804 PMCID: PMC7516215 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.571199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesoscale eddies can have a strong impact on regional biogeochemistry and primary productivity. To investigate the effect of the upwelling of seawater by western Pacific eddies on the composition of the active planktonic marine archaeal community composition of the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) layer, mesoscale cold-core eddies were simulated in situ by mixing western Pacific DCM layer water with mesopelagic layer (400 m) water. Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and 16S rRNA transcripts indicated that the specific heterotrophic Marine Group IIb (MGIIb) taxonomic group of the DCM layer was rapidly stimulated after receiving fresh substrate from 400 m water, which was dominated by uncultured autotrophic Marine Group I (MGI) archaea. Furthermore, niche differentiation of autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing archaea (MGI) was demonstrated by deep sequencing of 16S rRNA, amoA, and accA genes, respectively. Similar distribution patterns of active Marine Group III (MGIII) were observed in the DCM layer with or without vertical mixing, indicating that they are inclined to utilize the substrates already present in the DCM layer. These findings underscore the importance of mesoscale cyclonic eddies in stimulating microbial processes involved in the regional carbon cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlong Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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33
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Mooshammer M, Alves RJE, Bayer B, Melcher M, Stieglmeier M, Jochum L, Rittmann SKMR, Watzka M, Schleper C, Herndl GJ, Wanek W. Nitrogen Isotope Fractionation During Archaeal Ammonia Oxidation: Coupled Estimates From Measurements of Residual Ammonium and Accumulated Nitrite. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1710. [PMID: 32849360 PMCID: PMC7399158 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The naturally occurring nitrogen (N) isotopes, 15N and 14N, exhibit different reaction rates during many microbial N transformation processes, which results in N isotope fractionation. Such isotope effects are critical parameters for interpreting natural stable isotope abundances as proxies for biological process rates in the environment across scales. The kinetic isotope effect of ammonia oxidation (AO) to nitrite (NO2 -), performed by ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), is generally ascribed to the enzyme ammonia monooxygenase (AMO), which catalyzes the first step in this process. However, the kinetic isotope effect of AMO, or ε A M O , has been typically determined based on isotope kinetics during product formation (cumulative product, NO2 -) alone, which may have overestimated ε A M O due to possible accumulation of chemical intermediates and alternative sinks of ammonia/ammonium (NH3/NH4 +). Here, we analyzed 15N isotope fractionation during archaeal ammonia oxidation based on both isotopic changes in residual substrate (RS, NH4 +) and cumulative product (CP, NO2 -) pools in pure cultures of the soil strain Nitrososphaera viennensis EN76 and in highly enriched cultures of the marine strain Nitrosopumilus adriaticus NF5, under non-limiting substrate conditions. We obtained ε A M O values of 31.9-33.1‰ for both strains based on RS (δ15NH4 +) and showed that estimates based on CP (δ15NO2 -) give larger isotope fractionation factors by 6-8‰. Complementary analyses showed that, at the end of the growth period, microbial biomass was 15N-enriched (10.1‰), whereas nitrous oxide (N2O) was highly 15N depleted (-38.1‰) relative to the initial substrate. Although we did not determine the isotope effect of NH4 + assimilation (biomass formation) and N2O production by AOA, our results nevertheless show that the discrepancy between ε A M O estimates based on RS and CP might have derived from the incorporation of 15N-enriched residual NH4 + after AMO reaction into microbial biomass and that N2O production did not affect isotope fractionation estimates significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mooshammer
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ricardo J. E. Alves
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Bayer
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Melcher
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Stieglmeier
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lara Jochum
- LMU – Max von Pettenkofer Institute for Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Margarete Watzka
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christa Schleper
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard J. Herndl
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang Wanek
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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34
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Qin W, Zheng Y, Zhao F, Wang Y, Urakawa H, Martens-Habbena W, Liu H, Huang X, Zhang X, Nakagawa T, Mende DR, Bollmann A, Wang B, Zhang Y, Amin SA, Nielsen JL, Mori K, Takahashi R, Virginia Armbrust E, Winkler MKH, DeLong EF, Li M, Lee PH, Zhou J, Zhang C, Zhang T, Stahl DA, Ingalls AE. Alternative strategies of nutrient acquisition and energy conservation map to the biogeography of marine ammonia-oxidizing archaea. ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:2595-2609. [PMID: 32636492 PMCID: PMC7490402 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0710-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are among the most abundant and ubiquitous microorganisms in the ocean, exerting primary control on nitrification and nitrogen oxides emission. Although united by a common physiology of chemoautotrophic growth on ammonia, a corresponding high genomic and habitat variability suggests tremendous adaptive capacity. Here, we compared 44 diverse AOA genomes, 37 from species cultivated from samples collected across diverse geographic locations and seven assembled from metagenomic sequences from the mesopelagic to hadopelagic zones of the deep ocean. Comparative analysis identified seven major marine AOA genotypic groups having gene content correlated with their distinctive biogeographies. Phosphorus and ammonia availabilities as well as hydrostatic pressure were identified as selective forces driving marine AOA genotypic and gene content variability in different oceanic regions. Notably, AOA methylphosphonate biosynthetic genes span diverse oceanic provinces, reinforcing their importance for methane production in the ocean. Together, our combined comparative physiological, genomic, and metagenomic analyses provide a comprehensive view of the biogeography of globally abundant AOA and their adaptive radiation into a vast range of marine and terrestrial habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Qin
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Yue Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yulin Wang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hidetoshi Urakawa
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USA
| | - Willm Martens-Habbena
- Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Davie, FL, USA
| | - Haodong Liu
- Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaowu Huang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xinxu Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tatsunori Nakagawa
- College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Daniel R Mende
- Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | - Baozhan Wang
- Key Lab of Microbiology for Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Sciences and College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Shady A Amin
- Department of Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Jeppe L Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Koji Mori
- NITE Biological Resource Center (NBRC), National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE), Kisarazu, Chiba, Japan
| | - Reiji Takahashi
- College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | - Mari-K H Winkler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Edward F DeLong
- Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Meng Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Po-Heng Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jizhong Zhou
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, and School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA.,Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.,School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanlun Zhang
- Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Archaea Geo-Omics, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Environmental Engineering Research, Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - David A Stahl
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anitra E Ingalls
- School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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35
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Muck S, De Corte D, Clifford EL, Bayer B, Herndl GJ, Sintes E. Niche Differentiation of Aerobic and Anaerobic Ammonia Oxidizers in a High Latitude Deep Oxygen Minimum Zone. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2141. [PMID: 31572345 PMCID: PMC6753893 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To elucidate the potential for nitrification and denitrification processes in a high latitude deep oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) we determined the abundance and community composition of the main microbial players in the aerobic and anaerobic (anammox) ammonium oxidation and denitrification processes in the Gulf of Alaska throughout the water column. Within the dominant bacterial groups, Flavobacterales, Rhodobacterales, Actinomarinales, and SAR86 were more abundant in epipelagic waters and decreased with depth, whereas SAR11, SAR324, Marinimicrobia, and Thiomicrospirales increased their contribution to the bacterial community with depth. Nitrosopumilaceae also increased with depth and dominated the OMZ and bathypelagic archaeal communities. Euryarchaeota Marine Group II exhibited an opposite depth pattern to Nitrosopumilaceae, whereas Marine Group III and Woesearchaeota were more abundant in the bathypelagic realm. Candidatus Brocadia contributed 70-100% of the anammox bacterial community throughout the water column. Archaeal ammonia oxidizers (AOA) dominated the microbial community involved in the nitrogen cycle. Two AOA ecotypes, the high ammonia (HAC) and low ammonia (LAC)-AOA, characterized by distinct genes for aerobic ammonia oxidation (amoA) and for denitrification (nirK), exhibited a distinct distribution pattern related to depth and ammonia concentrations. HAC-AOA dominated in epipelagic (80.5 ± 28.3% of total AOA) oxygenated and ammonia-rich waters, and LAC-AOA dominated in the OMZ (90.9 ± 5.1%) and bathypelagic waters (85.5 ± 13.5%), characterized by lower oxygen and ammonia concentrations. Bacterial denitrifiers (3.7 ± 6.9 bacterial nirK gene mL-1) and anaerobic ammonia oxidizers (78 ± 322 anammox 16S rRNA genes L-1) were low in abundance under the oxygen conditions in the Gulf of Alaska throughout the water column. The widespread distribution of bacterial denitrifiers and anaerobic ammonia oxidizers in low abundances reveals a reservoir of genetic and metabolic potential ready to colonize the environment under the predicted increase of OMZs in the ocean. Taken together, our results reinforce the niche partitioning of archaeal ammonia oxidizers based on their distinct metabolic characteristics resulting in the dominance of LAC-AOA in a high latitude deep OMZ. Considering the different ecological roles and functions of the two archaeal ecotypes, the expansion of the zones dominated by the LAC-ecotype might have implications for the nitrogen cycle in the future ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Muck
- Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, Center of Functional Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- NIOZ, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, Den Burg, Netherlands
| | - Daniele De Corte
- Research and Development Center for Marine Biosciences, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Elisabeth L. Clifford
- Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, Center of Functional Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Bayer
- Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, Center of Functional Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard J. Herndl
- Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, Center of Functional Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- NIOZ, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, Den Burg, Netherlands
| | - Eva Sintes
- Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, Center of Functional Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ecosystem Oceanography Group (GRECO), Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Palma, Spain
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36
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Bayer B, Hansman RL, Bittner MJ, Noriega-Ortega BE, Niggemann J, Dittmar T, Herndl GJ. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea release a suite of organic compounds potentially fueling prokaryotic heterotrophy in the ocean. Environ Microbiol 2019; 21:4062-4075. [PMID: 31336026 PMCID: PMC6899801 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) constitute a considerable fraction of microbial biomass in the global ocean, comprising 20%–40% of the ocean's prokaryotic plankton. However, it remains enigmatic to what extent these chemolithoautotrophic archaea release dissolved organic carbon (DOC). A combination of targeted and untargeted metabolomics was used to characterize the exometabolomes of three model AOA strains of the Nitrosopumilus genus. Our results indicate that marine AOA exude a suite of organic compounds with potentially varying reactivities, dominated by nitrogen‐containing compounds. A significant fraction of the released dissolved organic matter (DOM) consists of labile compounds, which typically limit prokaryotic heterotrophic activity in open ocean waters, including amino acids, thymidine and B vitamins. Amino acid release rates corresponded with ammonia oxidation activity and the three Nitrosopumilus strains predominantly released hydrophobic amino acids, potentially as a result of passive diffusion. Despite the low contribution of DOC released by AOA (~0.08%–1.05%) to the heterotrophic prokaryotic carbon demand, the release of physiologically relevant metabolites could be crucial for microbes that are auxotrophic for some of these compounds, including members of the globally abundant and ubiquitous SAR11 clade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bayer
- Division of Bio-Oceanography, Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, Centre of Functional Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Roberta L Hansman
- Division of Bio-Oceanography, Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, Centre of Functional Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria.,International Atomic Energy Agency - Environment Laboratories, Radioecology Laboratory, 98000, Monaco, Monaco
| | - Meriel J Bittner
- Division of Bio-Oceanography, Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, Centre of Functional Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Beatriz E Noriega-Ortega
- ICBM-MPI Bridging Group for Marine Geochemistry, University of Oldenburg, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jutta Niggemann
- ICBM-MPI Bridging Group for Marine Geochemistry, University of Oldenburg, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Dittmar
- ICBM-MPI Bridging Group for Marine Geochemistry, University of Oldenburg, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard J Herndl
- Division of Bio-Oceanography, Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, Centre of Functional Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria.,Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, and Utrecht University, 1790, AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
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