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Awala SI, Gwak JH, Kim Y, Jung MY, Dunfield PF, Wagner M, Rhee SK. Nitrous oxide respiration in acidophilic methanotrophs. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4226. [PMID: 38762502 PMCID: PMC11102522 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48161-z] [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: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Aerobic methanotrophic bacteria are considered strict aerobes but are often highly abundant in hypoxic and even anoxic environments. Despite possessing denitrification genes, it remains to be verified whether denitrification contributes to their growth. Here, we show that acidophilic methanotrophs can respire nitrous oxide (N2O) and grow anaerobically on diverse non-methane substrates, including methanol, C-C substrates, and hydrogen. We study two strains that possess N2O reductase genes: Methylocella tundrae T4 and Methylacidiphilum caldifontis IT6. We show that N2O respiration supports growth of Methylacidiphilum caldifontis at an extremely acidic pH of 2.0, exceeding the known physiological pH limits for microbial N2O consumption. Methylocella tundrae simultaneously consumes N2O and CH4 in suboxic conditions, indicating robustness of its N2O reductase activity in the presence of O2. Furthermore, in O2-limiting conditions, the amount of CH4 oxidized per O2 reduced increases when N2O is added, indicating that Methylocella tundrae can direct more O2 towards methane monooxygenase. Thus, our results demonstrate that some methanotrophs can respire N2O independently or simultaneously with O2, which may facilitate their growth and survival in dynamic environments. Such metabolic capability enables these bacteria to simultaneously reduce the release of the key greenhouse gases CO2, CH4, and N2O.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Imisi Awala
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-Gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
- Center for Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-Ro, Seowon-Gu, Cheongju, 28644, South Korea
| | - Joo-Han Gwak
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-Gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongman Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-Gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Man-Young Jung
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme in Advance Convergence Technology and Science, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Science Education, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
- Jeju Microbiome Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Peter F Dunfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Michael Wagner
- Division of Microbial Ecology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Center for Microbial Communities, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Sung-Keun Rhee
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-Gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea.
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Thi Quynh Le H, Yeol Lee E. Methanotrophs: Metabolic versatility from utilization of methane to multi-carbon sources and perspectives on current and future applications. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023:129296. [PMID: 37302766 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The development of biorefineries for a sustainable bioeconomy has been driven by the concept of utilizing environmentally friendly and cost-effective renewable energy sources. Methanotrophic bacteria with a unique capacity to utilize methane as a carbon and energy source can serve as outstanding biocatalysts to develop C1 bioconversion technology. By establishing the utilization of diverse multi-carbon sources, integrated biorefinery platforms can be created for the concept of the circular bioeconomy. An understanding of physiology and metabolism could help to overcome challenges for biomanufacturing. This review summaries fundamental gaps for methane oxidation and the capability to utilize multi-carbon sources in methanotrophic bacteria. Subsequently, breakthroughs and challenges in harnessing methanotrophs as robust microbial chassis for industrial biotechnology were compiled and overviewed. Finally, capabilities to exploit the inherent advantages of methanotrophs to synthesize various target products in higher titers are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoa Thi Quynh Le
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Yeol Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering (BK21 FOUR Integrated Engineering Program), Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea.
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Wang J, Wang C, Chu YX, Tian G, He R. Characterization of methanotrophic community and activity in landfill cover soils under dimethyl sulfide stress. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 161:263-274. [PMID: 36917925 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.02.017] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Landfill cover soil is the environmental interface between landfills and the atmosphere and plays an important role in mitigating CH4 emission from landfills. Here, stable isotope probing microcosms with CH4 or CH4 and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) were carried out to characterize activity and community structure of methanotrophs in landfill cover soils under DMS stress. The CH4 oxidation activity in the landfill cover soils was not obviously influenced at the DMS concentration of 0.05%, while it was inhibited at the DMS concentrations of 0.1% and 0.2%. DMS-S was mainly oxidized to sulfate (SO42-) in the landfill cover soils. In the landfill cover soils, DMS could inhibit the expression of bacteria and decrease the abundances of pmoA and mmoX genes, while it could prompt the expression of pmoA and mmoX genes. γ-Proteobacteria methanotrophs including Methylocaldum, Methylobacter, Crenothrix and unclassified Methylococcaceae and α-Proteobacteria methanotrophs Methylocystis dominated in assimilating CH4 in the landfill cover soils. Of them, Methylobacter and Crenothrix had strong tolerance to DMS or DMS could promote the growth and activity of Methylobacter and Crenothrix, while Methylocaldum had weak tolerance to DMS and showed an inhibitory effect. Metagenomic analyses showed that methanotrophs had the genes of methanethiol oxidation and could metabolize CH4 and methanethiol simultaneously in the landfill cover soils. These findings suggested that methanotrophs might metabolize sulfur compounds in the landfill cover soils, which may provide the potential application in engineering for co-removal of CH4 and sulfur compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, China; Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi-Xuan Chu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Guangming Tian
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ruo He
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, China; Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Huang X, Song Q, Guo S, Fei Q. Transcription regulation strategies in methylotrophs: progress and challenges. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2022; 9:126. [PMID: 38647763 PMCID: PMC10992012 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-022-00614-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As a promising industrial microorganism, methylotroph is capable of using methane or methanol as the sole carbon source natively, which has been utilized in the biosynthesis of various bioproducts. However, the relatively low efficiency of carbon conversion has become a limiting factor throughout the development of methanotrophic cell factories due to the unclear genetic background. To better highlight their advantages in methane or methanol-based biomanufacturing, some metabolic engineering strategies, including upstream transcription regulation projects, are being popularized in methylotrophs. In this review, several strategies of transcription regulations applied in methylotrophs are summarized and their applications are discussed and prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Huang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Song
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Shuqi Guo
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Qiang Fei
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China.
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Energy Chemical Process Intensification, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China.
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Abstract
Wetlands are the major natural source of methane, an important greenhouse gas. The sulfur and methane cycles in wetlands are linked—e.g., a strong sulfur cycle can inhibit methanogenesis. Although there has historically been a clear distinction drawn between methane and sulfur oxidizers, here, we isolated a methanotroph that also performed respiratory oxidization of sulfur compounds. We experimentally demonstrated that thiotrophy and methanotrophy are metabolically compatible, and both metabolisms could be expressed simultaneously in a single microorganism. These findings suggest that mixotrophic methane/sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are a previously overlooked component of environmental methane and sulfur cycles. This creates a framework for a better understanding of these redox cycles in natural and engineered wetlands. Natural and anthropogenic wetlands are major sources of the atmospheric greenhouse gas methane. Methane emissions from wetlands are mitigated by methanotrophic bacteria at the oxic–anoxic interface, a zone of intense redox cycling of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen compounds. Here, we report on the isolation of an aerobic methanotrophic bacterium, ‘Methylovirgula thiovorans' strain HY1, which possesses metabolic capabilities never before found in any methanotroph. Most notably, strain HY1 is the first bacterium shown to aerobically oxidize both methane and reduced sulfur compounds for growth. Genomic and proteomic analyses showed that soluble methane monooxygenase and XoxF-type alcohol dehydrogenases are responsible for methane and methanol oxidation, respectively. Various pathways for respiratory sulfur oxidation were present, including the Sox–rDsr pathway and the S4I system. Strain HY1 employed the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle for CO2 fixation during chemolithoautotrophic growth on reduced sulfur compounds. Proteomic and microrespirometry analyses showed that the metabolic pathways for methane and thiosulfate oxidation were induced in the presence of the respective substrates. Methane and thiosulfate could therefore be independently or simultaneously oxidized. The discovery of this versatile bacterium demonstrates that methanotrophy and thiotrophy are compatible in a single microorganism and underpins the intimate interactions of methane and sulfur cycles in oxic–anoxic interface environments.
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Hakobyan A, Liesack W. Unexpected metabolic versatility among type II methanotrophs in the Alphaproteobacteria. Biol Chem 2021; 401:1469-1477. [PMID: 32769217 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2020-0200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria, or methanotrophs, play a crucial role in the global methane cycle. Their methane oxidation activity in various environmental settings has a great mitigation effect on global climate change. Alphaproteobacterial methanotrophs were among the first to be taxonomically characterized, nowadays unified in the Methylocystaceae and Beijerinckiaceae families. Originally thought to have an obligate growth requirement for methane and related one-carbon compounds as a source of carbon and energy, it was later shown that various alphaproteobacterial methanotrophs are facultative, able to grow on multi-carbon compounds such as acetate. Most recently, we expanded our knowledge of the metabolic versatility of alphaproteobacterial methanotrophs. We showed that Methylocystis sp. strain SC2 has the capacity for mixotrophic growth on H2 and CH4. This mini-review will summarize the change in perception from the long-held paradigm of obligate methanotrophy to today's recognition of alphaproteobacterial methanotrophs as having both facultative and mixotrophic capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hakobyan
- Research group "Methanotrophic Bacteria and Environmental Genomics/Transcriptomics", Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, D-35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Werner Liesack
- Research group "Methanotrophic Bacteria and Environmental Genomics/Transcriptomics", Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, D-35043, Marburg, Germany
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Farhan Ul Haque M, Xu HJ, Murrell JC, Crombie A. Facultative methanotrophs - diversity, genetics, molecular ecology and biotechnological potential: a mini-review. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2020; 166:894-908. [PMID: 33085587 PMCID: PMC7660913 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) play a vital role in reducing atmospheric methane emissions, and hence mitigating their potent global warming effects. A significant proportion of the methane released is thermogenic natural gas, containing associated short-chain alkanes as well as methane. It was one hundred years following the description of methanotrophs that facultative strains were discovered and validly described. These can use some multi-carbon compounds in addition to methane, often small organic acids, such as acetate, or ethanol, although Methylocella strains can also use short-chain alkanes, presumably deriving a competitive advantage from this metabolic versatility. Here, we review the diversity and molecular ecology of facultative methanotrophs. We discuss the genetic potential of the known strains and outline the consequent benefits they may obtain. Finally, we review the biotechnological promise of these fascinating microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hui-Juan Xu
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
- Present address: Joint Institute for Environmental Research & Education, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China
| | - J. Colin Murrell
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Andrew Crombie
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
- Present address: School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
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Farhan Ul Haque M, Crombie AT, Murrell JC. Novel facultative Methylocella strains are active methane consumers at terrestrial natural gas seeps. MICROBIOME 2019; 7:134. [PMID: 31585550 PMCID: PMC6778391 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-019-0741-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural gas seeps contribute to global climate change by releasing substantial amounts of the potent greenhouse gas methane and other climate-active gases including ethane and propane to the atmosphere. However, methanotrophs, bacteria capable of utilising methane as the sole source of carbon and energy, play a significant role in reducing the emissions of methane from many environments. Methylocella-like facultative methanotrophs are a unique group of bacteria that grow on other components of natural gas (i.e. ethane and propane) in addition to methane but a little is known about the distribution and activity of Methylocella in the environment. The purposes of this study were to identify bacteria involved in cycling methane emitted from natural gas seeps and, most importantly, to investigate if Methylocella-like facultative methanotrophs were active utilisers of natural gas at seep sites. RESULTS The community structure of active methane-consuming bacteria in samples from natural gas seeps from Andreiasu Everlasting Fire (Romania) and Pipe Creek (NY, USA) was investigated by DNA stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) using 13C-labelled methane. The 16S rRNA gene sequences retrieved from DNA-SIP experiments revealed that of various active methanotrophs, Methylocella was the only active methanotrophic genus common to both natural gas seep environments. We also isolated novel facultative methanotrophs, Methylocella sp. PC1 and PC4 from Pipe Creek, able to utilise methane, ethane, propane and various non-gaseous multicarbon compounds. Functional and comparative genomics of these new isolates revealed genomic and physiological divergence from already known methanotrophs, in particular, the absence of mxa genes encoding calcium-containing methanol dehydrogenase. Methylocella sp. PC1 and PC4 had only the soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) and lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase (XoxF). These are the first Alphaproteobacteria methanotrophs discovered with this reduced functional redundancy for C-1 metabolism (i.e. sMMO only and XoxF only). CONCLUSIONS Here, we provide evidence, using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods, that Methylocella are abundant and active at terrestrial natural gas seeps, suggesting that they play a significant role in the biogeochemical cycling of these gaseous alkanes. This might also be significant for the design of biotechnological strategies for controlling natural gas emissions, which are increasing globally due to unconventional exploitation of oil and gas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Farhan Ul Haque
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Andrew T Crombie
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK.
| | - J Colin Murrell
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
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La H, Hettiaratchi JPA, Achari G, Dunfield PF. Biofiltration of methane. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2018; 268:759-772. [PMID: 30064899 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.07.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The on-going annual increase in global methane (CH4) emissions can be largely attributed to anthropogenic activities. However, as more than half of these emissions are diffuse and possess a concentration less than 3% (v/v), physical-chemical treatments are inefficient as an abatement technology. In this regard, biotechnologies, such as biofiltration using methane-oxidizing bacteria, or methanotrophs, are a cost-effective and efficient means of combating diffuse CH4 emissions. In this review, a number of abiotic factors including temperature, pH, water content, packing material, empty-bed residence time, inlet gas flow rate, CH4 concentration, as well biotic factors, such as biomass development, are reviewed based on empirical findings on CH4 biofiltration studies that have been performed in the last decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen La
- Department of Civil Engineering, Center for Environmental Engineering Research and Education (CEERE), University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - J Patrick A Hettiaratchi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Center for Environmental Engineering Research and Education (CEERE), University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - Gopal Achari
- Department of Civil Engineering, Center for Environmental Engineering Research and Education (CEERE), University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 Canada.
| | - Peter F Dunfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive, NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 Canada
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