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Kurt E, Qin J, Williams A, Zhao Y, Xie D. Perspectives for Using CO 2 as a Feedstock for Biomanufacturing of Fuels and Chemicals. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1357. [PMID: 38135948 PMCID: PMC10740661 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10121357] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial cell factories offer an eco-friendly alternative for transforming raw materials into commercially valuable products because of their reduced carbon impact compared to conventional industrial procedures. These systems often depend on lignocellulosic feedstocks, mainly pentose and hexose sugars. One major hurdle when utilizing these sugars, especially glucose, is balancing carbon allocation to satisfy energy, cofactor, and other essential component needs for cellular proliferation while maintaining a robust yield. Nearly half or more of this carbon is inevitably lost as CO2 during the biosynthesis of regular metabolic necessities. This loss lowers the production yield and compromises the benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions-a fundamental advantage of biomanufacturing. This review paper posits the perspectives of using CO2 from the atmosphere, industrial wastes, or the exhausted gases generated in microbial fermentation as a feedstock for biomanufacturing. Achieving the carbon-neutral or -negative goals is addressed under two main strategies. The one-step strategy uses novel metabolic pathway design and engineering approaches to directly fix the CO2 toward the synthesis of the desired products. Due to the limitation of the yield and efficiency in one-step fixation, the two-step strategy aims to integrate firstly the electrochemical conversion of the exhausted CO2 into C1/C2 products such as formate, methanol, acetate, and ethanol, and a second fermentation process to utilize the CO2-derived C1/C2 chemicals or co-utilize C5/C6 sugars and C1/C2 chemicals for product formation. The potential and challenges of using CO2 as a feedstock for future biomanufacturing of fuels and chemicals are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Kurt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Jiansong Qin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Alexandria Williams
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
| | - Youbo Zhao
- Physical Sciences Inc., 20 New England Business Ctr., Andover, MA 01810, USA;
| | - Dongming Xie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA; (E.K.); (J.Q.); (A.W.)
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Mao Z, Fleming JR, Mayans O, Frey J, Schleheck D, Schink B, Müller N. AMP-dependent phosphite dehydrogenase, a phosphorylating enzyme in dissimilatory phosphite oxidation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2309743120. [PMID: 37922328 PMCID: PMC10636320 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2309743120] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidation of phosphite (HPO32-) to phosphate (HPO42-) releases electrons at a very low redox potential (E0'= -690 mV) which renders phosphite an excellent electron donor for microbial energy metabolism. To date, two pure cultures of strictly anaerobic bacteria have been isolated that run their energy metabolism on the basis of phosphite oxidation, the Gram-negative Desulfotignum phosphitoxidans (DSM 13687) and the Gram-positive Phosphitispora fastidiosa (DSM 112739). Here, we describe the key enzyme for dissimilatory phosphite oxidation in these bacteria. The enzyme catalyzed phosphite oxidation in the presence of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to form adenosine diphosphate (ADP), with concomitant reduction of oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The enzyme of P. fastidiosa was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. It has a molecular mass of 35.2 kDa and a high affinity for phosphite and NAD+. Its activity was enhanced more than 100-fold by addition of ADP-consuming adenylate kinase (myokinase) to a maximal activity between 30 and 80 mU x mg protein-1. A similar NAD-dependent enzyme oxidizing phosphite to phosphate with concomitant phosphorylation of AMP to ADP is found in D. phosphitoxidans, but this enzyme could not be heterologously expressed. Based on sequence analysis, these phosphite-oxidizing enzymes are related to nucleotide-diphosphate-sugar epimerases and indeed represent AMP-dependent phosphite dehydrogenases (ApdA). A reaction mechanism is proposed for this unusual type of substrate-level phosphorylation reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuqing Mao
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
- Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, Departments of Chemistry and Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
| | - Jennifer R. Fleming
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
- Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, Departments of Chemistry and Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
| | - Olga Mayans
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
- Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, Departments of Chemistry and Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
| | - Jasmin Frey
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
| | - David Schleheck
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
- Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, Departments of Chemistry and Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schink
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
- Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, Departments of Chemistry and Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
| | - Nicolai Müller
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance78457, Germany
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Reyes-Umana V, Ewens SD, Meier DAO, Coates JD. Integration of molecular and computational approaches paints a holistic portrait of obscure metabolisms. mBio 2023; 14:e0043123. [PMID: 37855625 PMCID: PMC10746228 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00431-23] [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] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms are essential drivers of earth's geochemical cycles. However, the significance of elemental redox cycling mediated by microorganisms is often underestimated beyond the most well-studied nutrient cycles. Phosphite, (per)chlorate, and iodate are each considered esoteric substrates metabolized by microorganisms. However, recent investigations have indicated that these metabolisms are widespread and ubiquitous, affirming a need to continue studying the underlying microbiology to understand their biogeochemical effects and their interface with each other and our biosphere. This review focuses on combining canonical techniques of culturing microorganisms with modern omic approaches to further our understanding of obscure metabolic pathways and elucidate their importance in global biogeochemical cycles. Using these approaches, marker genes of interest have already been identified for phosphite, (per)chlorate, and iodate using traditional microbial physiology and genetics. Subsequently, their presence was queried to reveal the distribution of metabolic pathways in the environment using publicly available databases. In conjunction with each other, computational and experimental techniques provide a more comprehensive understanding of the location of these microorganisms, their underlying biochemistry and genetics, and how they tie into our planet's geochemical cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Reyes-Umana
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Sophia D. Ewens
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - David A. O. Meier
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - John D. Coates
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
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Zhuo T, He L, Chai B, Zhou S, Wan Q, Lei X, Zhou Z, Chen B. Micro-pressure promotes endogenous phosphorus release in a deep reservoir by favouring microbial phosphate mineralisation and solubilisation coupled with sulphate reduction. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120647. [PMID: 37738938 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Deep reservoirs vary in their hydrostatic pressure owing to artificial water level control. The potential migration of phosphorus (P) in reservoir sediments raises the risk of harmful algal blooms. To ascertain the mechanisms of endogenous P release in reservoirs, we characterised aquatic microbial communities associated with coupled iron (Fe), P and sulphur (S) cycling at the sediment-water interface. The responses of microbial communities to hydrostatic pressures of 0.2-0.7 mega pascals (MPa; that is, micro-pressures) were investigated through a 30-day simulation experiment. Our findings unravelled a potential mechanism that micro-pressure enhanced the solubilisation of Fe/aluminium (Al)-bound P caused by microbially-driven sulphate reduction, leading to endogenous P release in the deep reservoir. Although the vertical distribution of labile Fe was not affected by pressure changes, we did observe Fe resupply at sediment depths of 2-5 cm. Metagenomic analysis revealed increased abundances of functional genes for P mineralisation (phoD, phoA), P solubilisation (pqqC, ppx-gppA) and sulphate reduction (cysD, cysC) in sediments subjected to micro-pressure, which contrasted with the pattern of S oxidation gene (soxB). There was a tight connection between P and S cycling-related microbial communities, based on significant positive correlations between labile element (P and S) concentrations and functional gene (phoD, cysD) abundances. This provided strong support that Fe-P-S coupling processes were governed by micro-pressure through modulation of P and S cycling-related microbial functions. Key taxa involved in P and S cycling (for example, Bradyrhizobium, Methyloceanibacter) positively responded to micro-pressure and as such, indirectly drove P release from sediments by facilitating P mineralisation and solubilisation coupled with sulphate reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Zhuo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lixin He
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for the Regulation and Comprehensive Management of Water Resources and Water Environment, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Intelligent Water Conservancy, School of Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
| | - Beibei Chai
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for the Regulation and Comprehensive Management of Water Resources and Water Environment, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Intelligent Water Conservancy, School of Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China.
| | - Shilei Zhou
- Pollution Prevention Biotechnology Laboratory of Hebei Province, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China
| | - Qiong Wan
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710054, China
| | - Xiaohui Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China.
| | - Zhenming Zhou
- College of Civil Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Bin Chen
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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Liu Q, Niu X, Zhang D, Ye X, Tan P, Shu T, Lin Z. Phototransformation of phosphite induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in aquatic environments. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120571. [PMID: 37683523 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Phosphite, an essential component in the biogeochemical phosphorus cycle, may make significant contributions to the bioavailable phosphorus pool as well as water eutrophication. However, to date, the potential impacts of coexisting photochemically active substances on the environmental fate and transformation of phosphite in aquatic environments have been sparsely elucidated. In the present study, the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), a widely distributed photocatalyst in aquatic environments, on phosphite phototransformation under simulated solar irradiation was systematically investigated. The physicochemical characteristics of the pristine and reacted ZnO NPs were thoroughly characterized. The results showed that the presence of ZnO NPs induced the indirect phototransformation of phosphite to phosphate, and the reaction rate increased with increasing ZnO NPs concentration. Through experiments with quenching and trapping free radicals, it was proved that photogenerated reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydroxyl radical (•OH), superoxide anion (O2•-), and singlet oxygen (1O2), made substantial contributions to phosphite phototransformation. In addition, the influencing factors such as initial phosphite concentration, pH, water matrixes (Cl-, F-, Br-, SO42-, NO3-, NO2-, HCO3-, humic acid (HA) and citric acid (CA)) were investigated. The component of generated precipitates after the phosphite phototransformation induced by ZnO NPs was still dominated by ZnO NPs, while the presence of amorphous Zn3(PO4)2 was identified. This work explored ZnO NPs-mediated phosphite phototransformation processes, indicating that nanophotocatalysts released into aquatic environments such as ZnO NPs may function as photosensitizers to play a beneficial role in the transformation of phosphite to phosphate, thereby potentially mitigating the toxicity of phosphite to aquatic organisms while exacerbating eutrophication. The findings of this study provide a novel insight into the comprehensive assessment of the environmental fate, potential ecological risk, and biogeochemical behaviors of phosphite in natural aquatic environments under the condition of combined pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Liu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, 525000, PR China
| | - Xiaojun Niu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, 525000, PR China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Dongqing Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, 525000, PR China.
| | - Xingyao Ye
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Peibing Tan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, 525000, PR China
| | - Ting Shu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, 525000, PR China
| | - Zhang Lin
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
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Nicholls JWF, Chin JP, Williams TA, Lenton TM, O’Flaherty V, McGrath JW. On the potential roles of phosphorus in the early evolution of energy metabolism. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1239189. [PMID: 37601379 PMCID: PMC10433651 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1239189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Energy metabolism in extant life is centered around phosphate and the energy-dense phosphoanhydride bonds of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a deeply conserved and ancient bioenergetic system. Yet, ATP synthesis relies on numerous complex enzymes and has an autocatalytic requirement for ATP itself. This implies the existence of evolutionarily simpler bioenergetic pathways and potentially primordial alternatives to ATP. The centrality of phosphate in modern bioenergetics, coupled with the energetic properties of phosphorylated compounds, may suggest that primordial precursors to ATP also utilized phosphate in compounds such as pyrophosphate, acetyl phosphate and polyphosphate. However, bioavailable phosphate may have been notably scarce on the early Earth, raising doubts about the roles that phosphorylated molecules might have played in the early evolution of life. A largely overlooked phosphorus redox cycle on the ancient Earth might have provided phosphorus and energy, with reduced phosphorus compounds potentially playing a key role in the early evolution of energy metabolism. Here, we speculate on the biological phosphorus compounds that may have acted as primordial energy currencies, sources of environmental energy, or sources of phosphorus for the synthesis of phosphorylated energy currencies. This review encompasses discussions on the evolutionary history of modern bioenergetics, and specifically those pathways with primordial relevance, and the geochemistry of bioavailable phosphorus on the ancient Earth. We highlight the importance of phosphorus, not only in the form of phosphate, to early biology and suggest future directions of study that may improve our understanding of the early evolution of bioenergetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack W. F. Nicholls
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Jason P. Chin
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Tom A. Williams
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy M. Lenton
- Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | | | - John W. McGrath
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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Liu W, Zhang Y, Yu M, Xu J, Du H, Zhang R, Wu D, Xie X. Role of phosphite in the environmental phosphorus cycle. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 881:163463. [PMID: 37062315 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In modern geochemistry, phosphorus (P) is considered synonymous with phosphate (Pi) because Pi controls the growth of organisms as a limiting nutrient in many ecosystems. The researchers therefore realised that a complete P cycle is essential. Limited by thermodynamic barriers, P was long believed to be incapable of redox reactions, and the role of the redox cycle of reduced P in the global P cycling system was thus not ascertained. Nevertheless, the phosphite (Phi) form of P is widely present in various environments and participates in the global P redox cycle. Herein, global quantitative evidences of Phi are enumerated and the early origin and modern biotic/abiotic sources of Phi are elaborated. Further, the Phi-based redox pathway for P reduction is analysed and global multienvironmental Phi redox cycle processes are proposed on the basis of this pathway. The possible role of Phi in controlling algae in eutrophic lakes and its ecological benefits to plants are proposed. In this manner, the important role of Phi in the P redox cycle and global P cycle is systematically and comprehensively identified and confirmed. This work will provide scientific guidance for the future production and use of Phi products and arouse attention and interest on clarifying the role of Phi in the environmental phosphorus cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yalan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Mengqin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Jinying Xu
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Hu Du
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Ru Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Daishe Wu
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Pingxiang University, Pingxiang 337000, China
| | - Xianchuan Xie
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Environment and Resource Utilization, Ministry of Education, School of Resource and Environment, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
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Nader W, Zahm A, Jaschik J. Phosphonic acid in plant-based food and feed products – Where does it come from? Food Control 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.109701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
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Wang B, Shen Q, Han C, Zheng Y, Wang Z, Liu C, Zhang L, Ren J. New insights into the growth response of the macrophyte Vallisneria natans exposed to phosphite. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158189. [PMID: 35995166 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Renewed interest in phosphite, an analog of phosphate, has increased due to its widespread distribution and increasing abundance in many waterbodies. However, up until recently very little is known about their ecological effects on aquatic organisms. Herein we studied the effects of phosphite via root and foliar exposure on the growth responses of the dominant pioneer macrophyte V. natans. Overall, both exposures of phosphite to V. natans resulted in significant reductions in the leaf length, root length, relative growth rate (RGR) and photosynthetic pigments, suggesting phosphite had an inhibitory effect on the plant growth. Our results further confirmed phosphite could induce the oxidative stresses in the V. natans cells, as indicated by the significantly increased intracellular enzyme activities i.e. superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Microscopic evidence also showed phosphite penetrated the cell membrane and destroyed membrane integrity under high phosphite stress. Besides, V. natans leaves exhibited intuitive deterioration symptoms, which seemed to be more sensitive to phosphite toxicity than roots. It is concluded that the increased abundance of phosphite in waterbodies cannot be utilized as a bioavailable P source but impose adverse physiological and metabolic limitations to plant growth, which should be receive more attention in the ecological risk assessment. Our result is necessary to build a comprehensive understanding of phosphite biogeochemical behaviors in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Qiushi Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Chao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Ye Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhaode Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Cheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Jinghua Ren
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring & Restoration Project on Land (arable), Ministry of Natural Resources, Geological Survey of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210018, China
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Wan B, Huang R, Diaz JM, Tang Y. Rethinking the biotic and abiotic remineralization of complex phosphate molecules in soils and sediments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155187. [PMID: 35421464 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for all living organisms. Despite a diversity of P compounds in the environment, orthophosphate is the most bioavailable form of P. Remineralization of complex P molecules (e.g., organic P and phosphoanhydrides) into orthophosphate is traditionally considered to be carried out primarily by enzymes. Natural minerals are recently viewed to be abiotic catalysts (as compared to the organic phosphatases) to facilitate the cleavage of terminal P-O-C/P bonds and remineralization of complex P compounds. However, quantitative comparison between biotic and abiotic remineralization pathways of complex P molecules is still missing, impeding our capability to assess the importance and contribution of abiotic P remineralization in the environment. This study compares the hydrolysis rates of six organic phosphates and three inorganic phosphoanhydrides by representative enzymes (acid and alkaline phosphatases) and natural oxide minerals (hematite, birnessite, and boehmite). The results show that enzymes and minerals have different substrate preferences. Specifically, alkaline phosphatase hydrolyzes phosphate monoesters faster than phosphoanhydrides, whereas acid phosphatase and minerals show higher hydrolysis rates toward phosphoanhydrides than phosphate monoesters. Although the hydrolysis rates by enzymes (~μM hr-1) are orders of magnitude higher than those by minerals (~μM d-1), normalization of the rates by the natural abundance of enzymes and minerals leads to comparable contributions of both processes in soils and sediments. These results highlight the significance of natural minerals in the remineralization of complex P compounds, a process that was traditionally overlooked but with important implications for constraining P biogeochemical cycling in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Wan
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0340, USA
| | - Rixiang Huang
- Department of Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222-0100, USA
| | - Julia M Diaz
- Geosciences Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-5004, USA
| | - Yuanzhi Tang
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0340, USA.
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Baammi S, Daoud R, El Allali A. Assessing the effect of a series of mutations on the dynamic behavior of phosphite dehydrogenase using molecular docking, molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics simulations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 41:4154-4166. [PMID: 35442169 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2064912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Discovered in Pseudomonas stutzeri, phosphite dehydrogenase (PTDH) is an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of phosphite to phosphate while simultaneously reducing NAD+ to NADH. Despite several investigations into the mechanism of reaction and cofactor regeneration, only a few studies have focused on improving the activity and stability of PTDH. In this study, we combine molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics (QM/MM) to identify the impact of 30 mutations on the activity and stability of PTDH. Molecular docking results suggest that E266Q, K76A, K76M, K76R, K76C, and R237K can act on the NAD+ binding site through relatively weak bond development due to their high free binding energy. Moreover, Mulliken population analysis and potential energy barrier indicate that T101A, E175A, E175A/A176R, A176R, and E266Q act on phosphite oxidation. The mutants M53N, M53A, K76R, D79N, D79A, T101A, W134A, W134F Y139F, A146S, E175A, F198I, F198M, E266Q, H292K, S295A, R301K, and R301A were found to act on the structural dynamic of PTDH. The remaining mutants cause the loss of the nitrogen atom of R237 and H292, respectively, inactivating the enzyme. This study provides specific explanations of how mutations affect weak interactions of PTDH. The results should allow researchers to conduct experimental studies to improve PTDH activity and stability.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soukayna Baammi
- African Genome Centre (AGC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Rachid Daoud
- African Genome Centre (AGC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco
| | - Achraf El Allali
- African Genome Centre (AGC), Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguerir, Morocco
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13
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Han C, Ren J, Wang B, Wang Z, Yin H, Ke F, Xu D, Zhang L, Si X, Shen Q. Ignored effects of phosphite (P +III) on the growth responses of three typical algae species. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 294:118672. [PMID: 34896401 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, the ubiquitous distribution and increasing abundance of P+III in waterbodies have caused serious concerns regarding its bioavailability and potential toxicity. However, our knowledge on these issues is relatively limited. We addressed previously unknown effects of P+III on three dominate algae species i.e. Microcystic aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa), Chlorella pyrenoidesa (C. pyrenoidesa) and Cyclotella. sp in eutrophic waterbodies in China. Remarkable declines in biomass, specific growth rate and Chl-a of algae cells treated with 0.01-0.7 mg/L P+III as sole or an alternative P source were observed, indicating P+III had an inhibitory effect on the algal growth. Besides, the intracellular enzyme activities e.g superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly increased with P+III stress. M. aeruginosa and Cyclotella. sp cells seemed to be more sensitive to P+III toxicity than C. pyrenoidesa since cell membrane suffered more serious stress and destruction. These findings combined, it confirmed P+III could not be utilized as bioavailable P, but had certain toxicity to the tested algae. It indicated that the increased P+III abundance in eutrophic waterbodies would accelerate the algal cell death, which could have a positive effect against algal blooms. Our results provide new insights into assessing the ecological risks of P+III in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Jinghua Ren
- Technology Innovation Center for Ecological Monitoring & Restoration Project on Land (arable), Ministry of Natural Resources, Geological Survey of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210018, China
| | - Baoying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Zhaode Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Hongbin Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Fan Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Di Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xiaoxia Si
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Qiushi Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, PR China
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14
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Mao Z, Gräßle F, Frey J, Franchini P, Schleheck D, Müller N, Schink B. Phosphitispora fastidiosa gen. nov. sp. nov., a new dissimilatory phosphite-oxidizing anaerobic bacterium isolated from anaerobic sewage sludge. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021; 71. [PMID: 34878375 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.005142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A new strictly anaerobic bacterium, strain DYL19T, was enriched and isolated with phosphite as the sole electron donor and CO2 as a single carbon source and electron acceptor from anaerobic sewage sludge sampled at a sewage treatment plant in Constance, Germany. It is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, slightly curved, rod-shaped bacterium which oxidizes phosphite to phosphate while reducing CO2 to biomass and small amounts of acetate. Optimal growth is observed at 30 °C, pH 7.2, with a doubling time of 3 days. Beyond phosphite, no further inorganic or organic electron donor can be used, and no other electron acceptor than CO2 is reduced. Sulphate inhibits growth with phosphite and CO2. The G+C content is 45.95 mol%, and dimethylmenaquinone-7 is the only quinone detectable in the cells. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and other chemotaxonomic properties, strain DYL19T is described as the type strain of a new genus and species, Phosphitispora fastidiosa gen. nov., sp. nov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuqing Mao
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany.,Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Fabian Gräßle
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Jasmin Frey
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Paolo Franchini
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - David Schleheck
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany.,Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Nicolai Müller
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Bernhard Schink
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany.,Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
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15
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Liu T, Yuan L, Deng S, Zhang X, Cai H, Ding G, Xu F, Shi L, Wu G, Wang C. Improved the Activity of Phosphite Dehydrogenase and its Application in Plant Biotechnology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:764188. [PMID: 34900961 PMCID: PMC8655118 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.764188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is a nonrenewable resource, which is one of the major challenges for sustainable agriculture. Although phosphite (Phi) can be absorbed by the plant cells through the Pi transporters, it cannot be metabolized by plant and unable to use as P fertilizers for crops. However, transgenic plants that overexpressed phosphite dehydrogenase (PtxD) from bacteria can utilize phosphite as the sole P source. In this study, we aimed to improve the catalytic efficiency of PtxD from Ralstonia sp.4506 (PtxDR4506), by directed evolution. Five mutations were generated by saturation mutagenesis at the 139th site of PtxD R4506 and showed higher catalytic efficiency than native PtxDR4506. The PtxDQ showed the highest catalytic efficiency (5.83-fold as compared to PtxDR4506) contributed by the 41.1% decrease in the K m and 2.5-fold increase in the k cat values. Overexpression of PtxDQ in Arabidopsis and rice showed increased efficiency of phosphite utilization and excellent development when phosphite was used as the primary source of P. High-efficiency PtxD transgenic plant is an essential prerequisite for future agricultural production using phosphite as P fertilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongtong Liu
- Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), MOA, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lili Yuan
- Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Suren Deng
- Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangxian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongmei Cai
- Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Guangda Ding
- Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), MOA, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fangsen Xu
- Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), MOA, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), MOA, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Gaobing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), MOA, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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16
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Omran A, Oze C, Jackson B, Mehta C, Barge LM, Bada J, Pasek MA. Phosphine Generation Pathways on Rocky Planets. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:1264-1276. [PMID: 34551269 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The possibility of life in the venusian clouds was proposed in the 1960s, and recently this hypothesis has been revived with the potential detection of phosphine (PH3) in Venus' atmosphere. These observations may have detected ∼5-20 ppb phosphine on Venus (Greaves et al., 2020), which raises questions about venusian atmospheric/geochemical processes and suggests that this phosphine could possibly be generated by biological processes. In such a claim, it is essential to understand the abiotic phosphorus chemistry that may occur under Venus-relevant conditions, particularly those processes that may result in phosphine generation. Here, we discuss two related abiotic routes for phosphine generation within the atmosphere of Venus. Based on our assessment, corrosion of large impactors as they ablate near Venus' cloud layer, and the presence of reduced phosphorus compounds in the subcloud layer could result in production of phosphine and may explain the phosphine detected in Venus' atmosphere or on other rocky planets. We end on a cautionary note: although there may be life in the clouds of Venus, the detection of a simple, single gas, phosphine, is likely not a decisive indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Omran
- Department of Geosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Christopher Oze
- Geology Department, Occidental College, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Brian Jackson
- Department of Physics, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA
| | - Chris Mehta
- Department of Geosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Laura M Barge
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey Bada
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography Department, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Matthew A Pasek
- Department of Geosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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17
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Abstract
Phosphite (Phi)-containing products are marketed for their antifungal and nutritional value. Substantial evidence of the anti-fungal properties of Phi on a wide variety of plants has been documented. Although Phi is readily absorbed by plant leaves and/or roots, the plant response to Phi used as a phosphorus (P) source is variable. Negative effects of Phi on plant growth are commonly observed under P deficiency compared to near adequate plant P levels. Positive responses to Phi may be attributed to some level of fungal disease control. While only a few studies have provided evidence of Phi oxidation through cellular enzymes genetically controlled in plant cells, increasing evidence exists for the potential to manipulate plant genes to enhance oxidation of Phi to phosphate (Pi) in plants. Advances in genetic engineering to sustain growth and yield with Phi + Pi potentially provides a dual fertilization and weed control system. Further advances in genetic manipulation of plants to utilize Phi are warranted. Since Phi oxidation occurs slowly in soils, additional information is needed to characterize Phi oxidation kinetics under variable soil and environmental conditions.
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18
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Sadeghi S, Anderson TA, Jackson WA. Determination of phosphite (HPO 3-2) by a new IC/MS/MS method using an 18O-labeled HPO 3-2 internal standard. Talanta 2021; 230:122198. [PMID: 33934758 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A new method has been developed to determine trace amounts of phosphite (HPO3-2) in environmental samples using ion chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (IC-ESI/MS/MS). The method includes the production and use of an 18O-labeled HPO3-2 internal standard (IS). This isotopically labeled IS significantly improved sensitivity and could account for matrix suppression. The method detection limit (MDL) was determined as 0.017 and 0.034 μg L-1 of HPO3-2 (6.5 and 13 ng P L-1) using a 500 and 25 μL injection loop, respectively. Precision (1-10%) and accuracy (recoveries = 96-106%) were established for a range of environmental samples using known (spiked) addition. The impact of ionic interferences was investigated by evaluating the response of the internal standard in the presence of common anions with respect to distilled deionized water. The most significant interference was due to nitrate (100 mg-NO3- L-1) with a 99.99% reduction in IS intensity. The method was successfully applied to wastewater effluent, surface water, tap water, and soil samples. Relatively low concentrations <0.25 μg HPO3-2 L-1 were measured in tap water, surface water and wastewater effluent, and ~1.6 μg kg-1 HPO3-2 in soil samples, using both injection loops. Limited suppression was observed for all matrices. The largest IS peak area suppression (~98%) was observed in WW effluent with 500 μL injection loop; however, this method was able to quantify HPO3-2 with good recoveries and precision despite the mentioned suppression, supporting the ability of the proposed method to quantify HPO3-2 in different environmental matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Sadeghi
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Box 41023, Lubbock, TX, 79409-1023, USA.
| | - Todd A Anderson
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Texas Tech University, Box 41163, Lubbock, TX, 79409-1163, USA.
| | - W Andrew Jackson
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University, Box 41023, Lubbock, TX, 79409-1023, USA.
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19
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Ewens SD, Gomberg AFS, Barnum TP, Borton MA, Carlson HK, Wrighton KC, Coates JD. The diversity and evolution of microbial dissimilatory phosphite oxidation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2020024118. [PMID: 33688048 PMCID: PMC7980464 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020024118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphite is the most energetically favorable chemotrophic electron donor known, with a half-cell potential (Eo') of -650 mV for the PO43-/PO33- couple. Since the discovery of microbial dissimilatory phosphite oxidation (DPO) in 2000, the environmental distribution, evolution, and diversity of DPO microorganisms (DPOMs) have remained enigmatic, as only two species have been identified. Here, metagenomic sequencing of phosphite-enriched microbial communities enabled the genome reconstruction and metabolic characterization of 21 additional DPOMs. These DPOMs spanned six classes of bacteria, including the Negativicutes, Desulfotomaculia, Synergistia, Syntrophia, Desulfobacteria, and Desulfomonilia_A Comparing the DPO genes from the genomes of enriched organisms with over 17,000 publicly available metagenomes revealed the global existence of this metabolism in diverse anoxic environments, including wastewaters, sediments, and subsurface aquifers. Despite their newfound environmental and taxonomic diversity, metagenomic analyses suggested that the typical DPOM is a chemolithoautotroph that occupies low-oxygen environments and specializes in phosphite oxidation coupled to CO2 reduction. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the DPO genes form a highly conserved cluster that likely has ancient origins predating the split of monoderm and diderm bacteria. By coupling microbial cultivation strategies with metagenomics, these studies highlighted the unsampled metabolic versatility latent in microbial communities. We have uncovered the unexpected prevalence, diversity, biochemical specialization, and ancient origins of a unique metabolism central to the redox cycling of phosphorus, a primary nutrient on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia D Ewens
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Energy & Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Alexa F S Gomberg
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Tyler P Barnum
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Mikayla A Borton
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Hans K Carlson
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Kelly C Wrighton
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - John D Coates
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720;
- Energy & Biosciences Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720
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20
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Different distribution patterns of microorganisms between aquaculture pond sediment and water. J Microbiol 2021; 59:376-388. [PMID: 33630250 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-021-0635-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Aquatic microorganisms in the sediment and water column are closely related; however, their distribution patterns between these two habitats still remain largely unknown. In this study, we compared sediment and water microeukaryotic and bacterial microorganisms in aquaculture ponds from different areas in China, and analyzed the influencing environmental factors as well as the inter-taxa relationships. We found that bacteria were significantly more abundant than fungi in both sediment and water, and the bacterial richness and diversity in sediment were higher than in water in all the sampling areas, but no significant differences were found between the two habitats for microeukaryotes. Bacterial taxa could be clearly separated through cluster analysis between the sediment and water, while eukaryotic taxa at all classification levels could not. Spirochaetea, Deltaproteobacteria, Nitrospirae, Ignavibacteriae, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, and Lentimicrobiaceae were more abundantly distributed in sediment, while Betaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacter, Cyanobacteria, Roseiflexaceae, Dinghuibacter, Cryomorphaceae, and Actinobacteria were more abundant in water samples. For eukaryotes, only Cryptomonadales were found to be distributed differently between the two habitats. Microorganisms in sediment were mainly correlated with enzymes related to organic matter decomposition, while water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient levels all showed significant correlation with the microbial communities in pond water. Intensive interspecific relationships were also found among eukaryotes and bacteria. Together, our results indicated that eukaryotic microorganisms are distributed less differently between sediment and water in aquaculture ponds compared to bacteria. This study provides valuable data for evaluating microbial distributions in aquatic environments, which may also be of practical use in aquaculture pond management.
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21
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Liljeroth E, Lankinen Å, Andreasson E, Alexandersson E. Phosphite Integrated in Late Blight Treatment Strategies in Starch Potato Does Not Cause Residues in the Starch Product. PLANT DISEASE 2020; 104:3026-3032. [PMID: 32830998 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-11-19-2296-re] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Currently available fungicides against potato late blight are effective but there are concerns about the sustainability of frequent applications and the risks of fungicide resistance. Therefore, we investigated how potassium phosphite can be integrated into late blight control programs with reduced fungicides in field trials. Phosphite was somewhat less effective than the conventional fungicides at suppressing late blight in the foliage, and the tubers contained less starch. However, when we reduced the amount of phosphite and combined it with reduced amounts of conventional fungicides, we observed no differences in disease suppression, total yields, and tuber starch contents compared with the full treatments with conventional fungicides. The amount of phosphite detected in the harvested tubers was linearly associated with the amount of phosphite applied to the foliage. Our analyses indicate that phosphite could replace some fungicides without exceeding the current European Union standards for the maximum residue levels in potato tubers. No phosphite was detected in the starch from the tubers. In 1 of 2 years, early blight (caused by Alternaria solani) was less severe in the phosphite treatments than in the treatments without phosphite. The integration of phosphite into current treatment strategies would reduce the dependence on conventional fungicides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erland Liljeroth
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, SE-230 53, Sweden
| | - Åsa Lankinen
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, SE-230 53, Sweden
| | - Erik Andreasson
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, SE-230 53, Sweden
| | - Erik Alexandersson
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, SE-230 53, Sweden
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22
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Snow JT, Holdship P, Rickaby REM. Antagonistic co-limitation through ion promiscuity - On the metal sensitivity of Thalassiosira oceanica under phosphorus stress. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 699:134080. [PMID: 31677461 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient limitation of primary producers is a fundamental principle in biogeochemical oceanography and has been used with great success in prescribing understanding to patterns of marine primary productivity. In recent years the paradigm of nutrient limitation has expanded from single nutrient limitation towards concepts of co-limitation by multiple resources. Interactive effects between multiple limiting resources are now thought commonplace in marine microbial communities. Here we investigate the response exhibited by phosphate-limited Thalassiosira oceanica to elevated concentrations of the phosphate analogs vanadate, arsenate and molybdate. Enrichments in external arsenate and vanadate to phosphate-limited cultures act to suppress growth rates entirely, an effect not seen in phosphate replete conditions. Retardation of growth rates is attributed to mistaken uptake through ion promiscuity as evidenced by observations of significant intracellular accumulation of both arsenic and vanadium under phosphate limited conditions. We describe this novel co-limitation scenario as dependent antagonistic co-limitation (DAC), and suggest that this phenomenon of non-deliberate intracellular accumulation could be used as both a proxy of phosphate stress in the modern ocean and a possible marker of phosphate depletion limiting the duration of oceanic anoxic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph T Snow
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK.
| | - Philip Holdship
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK
| | - Rosalind E M Rickaby
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK.
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23
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González-Morales SI, Pacheco-Gutiérrez NB, Ramírez-Rodríguez CA, Brito-Bello AA, Estrella-Hernández P, Herrera-Estrella L, López-Arredondo DL. Metabolic engineering of phosphite metabolism in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 as an effective measure to control biological contaminants in outdoor raceway ponds. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2020; 13:119. [PMID: 32670406 PMCID: PMC7346359 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-020-01759-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of cyanobacteria and microalgae as cell factories to produce biofuels and added-value bioproducts has received great attention during the last two decades. Important investments have been made by public and private sectors to develop this field. However, it has been a challenge to develop a viable and cost-effective platform for cultivation of cyanobacteria and microalgae under outdoor conditions. Dealing with contamination caused by bacteria, weedy algae/cyanobacteria and other organisms is a major constraint to establish effective cultivation processes. RESULTS Here, we describe the implementation in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 of a phosphorus selective nutrition system to control biological contamination during cultivation. The system is based on metabolic engineering of S. elongatus to metabolize phosphite, a phosphorus source not normally metabolized by most organisms, by expressing a bacterial phosphite oxidoreductase (PtxD). Engineered S. elongatus strains expressing PtxD grow at a similar rate on media supplemented with phosphite as the non-transformed control supplemented with phosphate. We show that when grown in media containing phosphite as the sole phosphorus source in glass flasks, the engineered strain was able to grow and outcompete biological contaminants even when the system was intentionally inoculated with natural competitors isolated from an irrigation canal. The PtxD/phosphite system was successfully used for outdoor cultivation of engineered S. elongatus in 100-L cylindrical reactors and 1000-L raceway ponds, under non-axenic conditions and without the need of sterilizing containers and media. Finally, we also show that the PtxD/phosphite system can be used as selectable marker for S. elongatus PCC 7942 transgenic strains selection, eliminating the need of antibiotic resistance genes. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the PtxD/phosphite system is a stable and sufficiently robust strategy to control biological contaminants without the need of sterilization or other complex aseptic procedures. Our data show that the PtxD/phosphite system can be used as selectable marker and allows production of the cyanobacterium S. elongatus PCC 7942 in non-axenic outdoor reactors at lower cost, which in principle should be applicable to other cyanobacteria and microalgae engineered to metabolize phosphite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alethia A. Brito-Bello
- StelaGenomics México, S de RL de CV, Av. Camino Real de Guanajuato s/n, Irapuato, 36821 Guanajuato, Mexico
| | | | - Luis Herrera-Estrella
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genómica para la Biodiversidad, Unidad de Genómica Avanzada del Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Km 9.6 carretera Irapuato León, Irapuato, 36500 Guanajuato, Mexico
- Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409 USA
| | - Damar L. López-Arredondo
- StelaGenomics México, S de RL de CV, Av. Camino Real de Guanajuato s/n, Irapuato, 36821 Guanajuato, Mexico
- Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409 USA
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24
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Bains W, Petkowski JJ, Sousa-Silva C, Seager S. New environmental model for thermodynamic ecology of biological phosphine production. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 658:521-536. [PMID: 30579209 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We present a new model for the biological production of phosphine (PH3). Phosphine is found globally, in trace amounts, in the Earth's atmosphere. It has been suggested as a key molecule in the phosphorus cycle, linking atmospheric, lithospheric and biological phosphorus chemistry. Phosphine's production is strongly associated with marshes, swamps and other sites of anaerobic biology. However the mechanism of phosphine's biological production has remained controversial, because it has been believed that reduction of phosphate to phosphine is endergonic. In this paper we show through thermodynamic calculations that, in specific environments, the combined action of phosphate reducing and phosphite disproportionating bacteria can produce phosphine. Phosphate-reducing bacteria can capture energy from the reduction of phosphate to phosphite through coupling phosphate reduction to NADH oxidation. Our hypothesis describes how the phosphate chemistry in an environmental niche is coupled to phosphite generation in ground water, which in turn is coupled to the phosphine production in water and atmosphere, driven by a specific microbial ecology. Our hypothesis provides clear predictions on specific complex environments where biological phosphine production could be widespread. We propose tests of our hypothesis in fieldwork.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Bains
- Rufus Scientific, 37 The Moor, Melbourn, Royston, Herts SG8 6ED, UK.
| | - Janusz J Petkowski
- Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Clara Sousa-Silva
- Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sara Seager
- Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Dept. of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Figueroa IA, Barnum TP, Somasekhar PY, Carlström CI, Engelbrektson AL, Coates JD. Metagenomics-guided analysis of microbial chemolithoautotrophic phosphite oxidation yields evidence of a seventh natural CO 2 fixation pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E92-E101. [PMID: 29183985 PMCID: PMC5776814 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1715549114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dissimilatory phosphite oxidation (DPO), a microbial metabolism by which phosphite (HPO32-) is oxidized to phosphate (PO43-), is the most energetically favorable chemotrophic electron-donating process known. Only one DPO organism has been described to date, and little is known about the environmental relevance of this metabolism. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene community analysis and genome-resolved metagenomics to characterize anaerobic wastewater treatment sludge enrichments performing DPO coupled to CO2 reduction. We identified an uncultivated DPO bacterium, Candidatus Phosphitivorax (Ca. P.) anaerolimi strain Phox-21, that belongs to candidate order GW-28 within the Deltaproteobacteria, which has no known cultured isolates. Genes for phosphite oxidation and for CO2 reduction to formate were found in the genome of Ca. P. anaerolimi, but it appears to lack any of the known natural carbon fixation pathways. These observations led us to propose a metabolic model for autotrophic growth by Ca. P. anaerolimi whereby DPO drives CO2 reduction to formate, which is then assimilated into biomass via the reductive glycine pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel A Figueroa
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Tyler P Barnum
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Pranav Y Somasekhar
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Charlotte I Carlström
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Anna L Engelbrektson
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - John D Coates
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
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Phosphorus redox reactions as pinch hitters in microbial metabolism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 115:7-8. [PMID: 29242213 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1719600115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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The molecular basis of phosphite and hypophosphite recognition by ABC-transporters. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1746. [PMID: 29170493 PMCID: PMC5700983 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01226-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Inorganic phosphate is the major bioavailable form of the essential nutrient phosphorus. However, the concentration of phosphate in most natural habitats is low enough to limit microbial growth. Under phosphate-depleted conditions some bacteria utilise phosphite and hypophosphite as alternative sources of phosphorus, but the molecular basis of reduced phosphorus acquisition from the environment is not fully understood. Here, we present crystal structures and ligand binding affinities of periplasmic binding proteins from bacterial phosphite and hypophosphite ATP-binding cassette transporters. We reveal that phosphite and hypophosphite specificity results from a combination of steric selection and the presence of a P-H…π interaction between the ligand and a conserved aromatic residue in the ligand-binding pocket. The characterisation of high affinity and specific transporters has implications for the marine phosphorus redox cycle, and might aid the use of phosphite as an alternative phosphorus source in biotechnological, industrial and agricultural applications. Some bacteria can use inorganic phosphite and hypophosphite as sources of inorganic phosphorus. Here, the authors report crystal structures of the periplasmic proteins that bind these reduced phosphorus species and show that a P-H…π interaction between the ligand and binding site determines their specificity.
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