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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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Mao Z, Müller N, Borusak S, Schleheck D, Schink B. Anaerobic dissimilatory phosphite oxidation, an extremely efficient concept of microbial electron economy. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2068-2074. [PMID: 37525971 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Phosphite is a stable phosphorus compound that, together with phosphate, made up a substantial part of the total phosphorus content of the prebiotic Earth's crust. Oxidation of phosphite to phosphate releases electrons at an unusually low redox potential (-690 mV at pH 7.0). Numerous aerobic and anaerobic bacteria use phosphite as a phosphorus source and oxidise it to phosphate for synthesis of nucleotides and other phosphorus-containing cell constituents. Only two pure cultures of strictly anaerobic bacteria have been isolated so far that use phosphite as an electron donor in their energy metabolism, the Gram-positive Phosphitispora fastidiosa and the Gram-negative Desulfotignum phosphitoxidans. The key enzyme of this metabolism is an NAD+ -dependent phosphite dehydrogenase enzyme that phosphorylates AMP to ADP. These phosphorylating phosphite dehydrogenases were found to be related to nucleoside diphosphate sugar epimerases. The produced NADH is channelled into autotrophic CO2 fixation via the Wood-Ljungdahl (CO-DH) pathway, thus allowing for nearly complete assimilation of the substrate electrons into bacterial biomass. This extremely efficient type of electron flow connects energy and carbon metabolism directly through NADH and might have been important in the early evolution of life when phosphite was easily available on Earth.
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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
| | - Nicolai Müller
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
| | - Sabrina Borusak
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
- Konstanz Research School Chemical 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
| | - Bernhard Schink
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
- Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, Constance, Germany
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Mrnjavac N, Wimmer JLE, Brabender M, Schwander L, Martin WF. The Moon-Forming Impact and the Autotrophic Origin of Life. Chempluschem 2023; 88:e202300270. [PMID: 37812146 PMCID: PMC7615287 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300270] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The Moon-forming impact vaporized part of Earth's mantle, and turned the rest into a magma ocean, from which carbon dioxide degassed into the atmosphere, where it stayed until water rained out to form the oceans. The rain dissolved CO2 and made it available to react with transition metal catalysts in the Earth's crust so as to ultimately generate the organic compounds that form the backbone of microbial metabolism. The Moon-forming impact was key in building a planet with the capacity to generate life in that it converted carbon on Earth into a homogeneous and accessible substrate for organic synthesis. Today all ecosystems, without exception, depend upon primary producers, organisms that fix CO2 . According to theories of autotrophic origin, it has always been that way, because autotrophic theories posit that the first forms of life generated all the molecules needed to build a cell from CO2 , forging a direct line of continuity between Earth's initial CO2 -rich atmosphere and the first microorganisms. By modern accounts these were chemolithoautotrophic archaea and bacteria that initially colonized the crust and still inhabit that environment today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mrnjavac
- Department of Biology Institute for Molecular Evolution Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf (Germany)
| | - Jessica L. E. Wimmer
- Department of Biology Institute for Molecular Evolution Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf (Germany)
| | - Max Brabender
- Department of Biology Institute for Molecular Evolution Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf (Germany)
| | - Loraine Schwander
- Department of Biology Institute for Molecular Evolution Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf (Germany)
| | - William F. Martin
- Department of Biology Institute for Molecular Evolution Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf (Germany)
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Schwander L, Brabender M, Mrnjavac N, Wimmer JLE, Preiner M, Martin WF. Serpentinization as the source of energy, electrons, organics, catalysts, nutrients and pH gradients for the origin of LUCA and life. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1257597. [PMID: 37854333 PMCID: PMC10581274 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1257597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Serpentinization in hydrothermal vents is central to some autotrophic theories for the origin of life because it generates compartments, reductants, catalysts and gradients. During the process of serpentinization, water circulates through hydrothermal systems in the crust where it oxidizes Fe (II) in ultramafic minerals to generate Fe (III) minerals and H2. Molecular hydrogen can, in turn, serve as a freely diffusible source of electrons for the reduction of CO2 to organic compounds, provided that suitable catalysts are present. Using catalysts that are naturally synthesized in hydrothermal vents during serpentinization H2 reduces CO2 to formate, acetate, pyruvate, and methane. These compounds represent the backbone of microbial carbon and energy metabolism in acetogens and methanogens, strictly anaerobic chemolithoautotrophs that use the acetyl-CoA pathway of CO2 fixation and that inhabit serpentinizing environments today. Serpentinization generates reduced carbon, nitrogen and - as newer findings suggest - reduced phosphorous compounds that were likely conducive to the origins process. In addition, it gives rise to inorganic microcompartments and proton gradients of the right polarity and of sufficient magnitude to support chemiosmotic ATP synthesis by the rotor-stator ATP synthase. This would help to explain why the principle of chemiosmotic energy harnessing is more conserved (older) than the machinery to generate ion gradients via pumping coupled to exergonic chemical reactions, which in the case of acetogens and methanogens involve H2-dependent CO2 reduction. Serpentinizing systems exist in terrestrial and deep ocean environments. On the early Earth they were probably more abundant than today. There is evidence that serpentinization once occurred on Mars and is likely still occurring on Saturn's icy moon Enceladus, providing a perspective on serpentinization as a source of reductants, catalysts and chemical disequilibrium for life on other worlds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loraine Schwander
- Institute of Molecular Evolution, Biology Department, Math. -Nat. Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Max Brabender
- Institute of Molecular Evolution, Biology Department, Math. -Nat. Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Natalia Mrnjavac
- Institute of Molecular Evolution, Biology Department, Math. -Nat. Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jessica L. E. Wimmer
- Institute of Molecular Evolution, Biology Department, Math. -Nat. Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martina Preiner
- Microcosm Earth Center, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany
| | - William F. Martin
- Institute of Molecular Evolution, Biology Department, Math. -Nat. Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
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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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Stratmann T. The ProkaBioDen database, a global database of benthic prokaryotic biomasses and densities in the marine realm. Sci Data 2022; 9:179. [PMID: 35440731 PMCID: PMC9019028 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01281-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Benthic prokaryotes include Bacteria and Archaea and dominate densities of marine benthos. They play major roles in element cycles and heterotrophic, chemoautotrophic, and phototrophic carbon production. To understand how anthropogenic disturbances and climate change might affect these processes, better estimates of prokaryotic biomasses and densities are required. Hence, I developed the ProkaBioDen database, the largest open-access database of benthic prokaryotic biomasses and densities in marine surface sediments. In total, the database comprises 1,089 georeferenced benthic prokaryotic biomass and 1,875 density records extracted from 85 and 112 studies, respectively. I identified all references applying the procedures for systematic reviews and meta analyses and report prokaryotic biomasses as g C cm−3 sediment, g C g−1 sediment, and g C m−2. Density records are presented as cell cm−3 sediment, cell g−1 sediment/ sulfide/ vent precipitate, and cell m−2. This database should serve as reference to close sampling gaps in the future. Measurement(s) | prokaryotic benthic biomass • prokaryotic benthic density | Technology Type(s) | PLFA • microscopy • ATP | Sample Characteristic - Organism | unclassified Bacteria | Sample Characteristic - Environment | marine sediment • deep marine sediment • shallow marine sediment | Sample Characteristic - Location | Pacific Ocean • Atlantic Ocean • Indian Ocean • Southern Ocean • Arctic Ocean |
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Stratmann
- Utrecht University, Department of Earth Sciences, Vening Meineszgebouw A, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB, Utrecht, The Netherlands. .,HGF MPG Joint Research Group for Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstr. 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany. .,Department of Ocean Systems, NIOZ - Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, PO Box 59, 1790, AB Den Burg (Texel), The Netherlands.
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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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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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Manghi MC, Masiol M, Calzavara R, Graziano PL, Peruzzi E, Pavoni B. The use of phosphonates in agriculture. Chemical, biological properties and legislative issues. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 283:131187. [PMID: 34157623 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Phosphorus (III) derivatives, named Phosphonates, include congeners with properties as fungicides that are effective in controlling Oomycetes. Examples are organic compounds like Fosetyl-Al [Aluminium tris-(ethylphosphonate)] and salts formed with the anion of phosphonic acid [(OH)2HPO] and Potassium, Sodium and Ammonium cations. According to IUPAC, the correct nomenclature for these compounds is "phosphonates", but in common language and scientific literature they are often named "phosphites", creating ambiguity. The European legislation restricts the use of phosphonates, with the ban for application in organic agriculture. However, phosphonate residues were detected in some organic products due to their addition to fertilizers allowed in organic agriculture. The legitimacy of this addition is controversial, as it is not evident if phosphonates have also a nutritional role in addition to their fungicidal properties. The new European Directive EU 1009/2019 resolves the problem by banning the phosphonates addition to fertilizers and placing a limit of 0.5% by mass for unintentional addition. However, an official method is not available for phosphonates determination in fertilizers and approval by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is necessary in a short time. This review presents an overview about the chemical, biological, analytical and legislative aspects of phosphonates and aims at providing: clarity on the correct nomenclature to avoid misunderstandings; the evaluation of phosphonates properties with the absence of a nutritional role, justifying the ban on adding to fertilizers; a summary of analytical techniques that could be considered by CEN to complete the analytical background for the agricultural use of phosphonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Manghi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, I-30172, Mestre Venezia, Italy.
| | - Mauro Masiol
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, I-30172, Mestre Venezia, Italy.
| | | | | | | | - Bruno Pavoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, I-30172, Mestre Venezia, Italy
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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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Gaylor MO, Miro P, Vlaisavljevich B, Kondage AAS, Barge LM, Omran A, Videau P, Swenson VA, Leinen LJ, Fitch NW, Cole KL, Stone C, Drummond SM, Rageth K, Dewitt LR, González Henao S, Karanauskus V. Plausible Emergence and Self Assembly of a Primitive Phospholipid from Reduced Phosphorus on the Primordial Earth. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2021; 51:185-213. [PMID: 34279769 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-021-09613-4] [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: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
How life arose on the primitive Earth is one of the biggest questions in science. Biomolecular emergence scenarios have proliferated in the literature but accounting for the ubiquity of oxidized (+ 5) phosphate (PO43-) in extant biochemistries has been challenging due to the dearth of phosphate and molecular oxygen on the primordial Earth. A compelling body of work suggests that exogenous schreibersite ((Fe,Ni)3P) was delivered to Earth via meteorite impacts during the Heavy Bombardment (ca. 4.1-3.8 Gya) and there converted to reduced P oxyanions (e.g., phosphite (HPO32-) and hypophosphite (H2PO2-)) and phosphonates. Inspired by this idea, we review the relevant literature to deduce a plausible reduced phospholipid analog of modern phosphatidylcholines that could have emerged in a primordial hydrothermal setting. A shallow alkaline lacustrine basin underlain by active hydrothermal fissures and meteoritic schreibersite-, clay-, and metal-enriched sediments is envisioned. The water column is laden with known and putative primordial hydrothermal reagents. Small system dimensions and thermal- and UV-driven evaporation further concentrate chemical precursors. We hypothesize that a reduced phospholipid arises from Fischer-Tropsch-type (FTT) production of a C8 alkanoic acid, which condenses with an organophosphinate (derived from schreibersite corrosion to hypophosphite with subsequent methylation/oxidation), to yield a reduced protophospholipid. This then condenses with an α-amino nitrile (derived from Strecker-type reactions) to form the polar head. Preliminary modeling results indicate that reduced phospholipids do not aggregate rapidly; however, single layer micelles are stable up to aggregates with approximately 100 molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael O Gaylor
- Department of Chemistry, Dakota State University, Madison, SD, 57042, USA.
| | - Pere Miro
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA
| | - Bess Vlaisavljevich
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA
| | | | - Laura M Barge
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91109, USA
| | - Arthur Omran
- School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Patrick Videau
- Department of Biology, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR, 97520, USA.,Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, 63017, USA
| | - Vaille A Swenson
- Department of Chemistry, Dakota State University, Madison, SD, 57042, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Lucas J Leinen
- Department of Chemistry, Dakota State University, Madison, SD, 57042, USA
| | - Nathaniel W Fitch
- Department of Chemistry, Dakota State University, Madison, SD, 57042, USA
| | - Krista L Cole
- Department of Chemistry, Dakota State University, Madison, SD, 57042, USA
| | - Chris Stone
- Department of Biology, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR, 97520, USA
| | - Samuel M Drummond
- Department of Chemistry, Dakota State University, Madison, SD, 57042, USA
| | - Kayli Rageth
- Department of Chemistry, Dakota State University, Madison, SD, 57042, USA
| | - Lillian R Dewitt
- Department of Chemistry, Dakota State University, Madison, SD, 57042, USA
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13
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Fontana M, Bragazza L, Guillaume T, Santonja M, Buttler A, Elfouki S, Sinaj S. Valorization of calcium phosphite waste as phosphorus fertilizer: Effects on green manure productivity and soil properties. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 285:112061. [PMID: 33582477 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The potential to use calcium phosphite (Ca-Phi) as phosphorus (P) fertilizer may represent an effective recycling of P-containing by-products. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Ca-Phi (38 kg P ha-1) on soil properties and the growth parameters of four green manure species in clay and sandy soils using Ca-Phi, TSP (triple superphosphate) and control (no fertilization) as treatments. Eight weeks after sowing, we measured aboveground biomass yield, phosphite (Phi) concentration in plant biomass, different soil P pools as well as microbial biomass nutrients. Compared to control, the addition of Ca-Phi did not negatively affect green manure yield, except for lupine (Lupinus albus L.) in clay soil. The Phi concentration in plant biomass varied across species and soil type with a maximum concentration of about 400 mg Phi kg-1 for mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in clay soil. Compared to control, TSP and Ca-Phi fertilization had a similar effect on different P pools and microbial biomass nutrients (C, N and P) although the response was soil-type dependent. In the sandy soil, after Ca-Phi addition the amount of available P (PNHCO3) increased to the same extent as in the TSP treatment (i.e. around 6 mg P kg-1) suggesting that Ca-Phi was, at least partly, oxidized. In the clay soil with high P fixing capacity, Ca-Phi promoted higher PNaHCO3 than TSP likely due to different solubility of chemical P forms. Additional studies are however required to better understand soil microbial responses and to quantify the P agronomical efficiency for the following crop under Ca-Phi fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Fontana
- Agroscope, Field-Crop Systems and Plant Nutrition, Route de Duillier 50, P.O. Box 1012, CH-1260, Nyon, Switzerland
| | - Luca Bragazza
- Agroscope, Field-Crop Systems and Plant Nutrition, Route de Duillier 50, P.O. Box 1012, CH-1260, Nyon, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Guillaume
- Agroscope, Field-Crop Systems and Plant Nutrition, Route de Duillier 50, P.O. Box 1012, CH-1260, Nyon, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu Santonja
- Aix Marseille Univ, Avignon Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE, Marseille, France
| | - Alexandre Buttler
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Laboratory of Ecological Systems (ECOS), Station 2, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland; Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Site Lausanne, Station 2, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Saïd Elfouki
- Agroscope, Field-Crop Systems and Plant Nutrition, Route de Duillier 50, P.O. Box 1012, CH-1260, Nyon, Switzerland
| | - Sokrat Sinaj
- Agroscope, Field-Crop Systems and Plant Nutrition, Route de Duillier 50, P.O. Box 1012, CH-1260, Nyon, Switzerland.
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14
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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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15
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Huang KZ, Zhang H. Galvanic oxidation processes (GOPs): An effective direct electron transfer approach for organic contaminant oxidation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 743:140828. [PMID: 32758851 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for organic contaminant oxidation usually relies on the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROSs). However, the ubiquitous anions and natural organic matter can easily scavenge ROSs and/or PMS, resulting in lower efficiencies and/or the formation of toxic byproducts. Relying on the unique long-distance electron transfer property, the recently developed Galvanic Oxidation Process (GOP) successfully achieved bisphenol A (BPA) degradation when BPA and PMS were physically separated in two reactors. In this study, we systematically investigated the performance of GOP at different PMS or BPA concentrations, pH, and ionic strength (IS) in both PMS and BPA solutions. The kinetic modeling employing the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model at different BPA concentrations suggested that although BPA and PMS were physically separated, the oxidation of the adsorbed BPA and reduction of the adsorbed PMS still followed a similar mechanism to that in traditional heterogeneous catalytic processes. The anions in the target water showed little impact on BPA degradation; higher IS enhanced the solution conductivity but inhibited BPA and electrode interactions, resulting in increased and then decrease BPA degradation rate. The electrodes presented high stability with a rate increase of 12% after 13 times of uses, and their hydration significantly facilitated BPA degradation but reduced the current by decreasing the potential difference between the anode and cathode. The graphite sheet itself without catalyst coating was also capable of shuttling electrons, while the use of a graphite fiber anode increased the BPA degradation by near 100% because of the larger surface area. The developed continuous stirred-tank reactor coupled with GOP (CSTR-GOP) achieved stable BPA degradation in less than 35 min and its scaling up is promising for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Z Huang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Huichun Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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16
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Wang Q, Li T, Huang X, Yang G. Redox mechanism and stability of uranyl phosphites at mineral surfaces: Cooperative proton/electron transfer and high efficacy for Uranium(VI) reduction. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 255:126948. [PMID: 32387733 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Uranium phosphites have recently emerged as promising materials to remediate radioactive contamination. In this study, the redox mechanisms of uranyl phosphites at mineral surfaces have been addressed by periodic DFT calculations with dispersion corrections. Different from other ligands, the phosphite anions (H2PO3-, HPO32-) are efficient reducing agents for uranyl reduction, and the redox reactions are divided into three steps, as isomerization between two phosphite anion isomers (Step 1), conformational transition (Step 2) and dissociation of the water molecule (Step 3). A second water molecule is critical to lower the activation barriers of Step 1, and all activation barriers are moderate so that the redox reactions occur favorably under normal conditions, which are further dramatically accelerated by the highly exergonic Step 3. Accordingly, formation of uranyl phosphites becomes an effective approach to manage uranium pollution. Moreover, the lower activation barriers for H2PO3- rather than HPO32- rationalize the superior reduction activities of uranyl phosphites and the enhanced stability of U(IV) products at lower pH conditions. Owing to the cooperative proton/electron transfer, the U(VI) reduction to U(IV) and P(III) oxidation to P(V) are completed within one step, with transition states being featured by the U(V) and P(IV) species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- College of Resources and Environment & Chongqing Key Laboratory of Soil Multi-scale Interfacial Process, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Tingting Li
- College of Resources and Environment & Chongqing Key Laboratory of Soil Multi-scale Interfacial Process, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Huang
- College of Resources and Environment & Chongqing Key Laboratory of Soil Multi-scale Interfacial Process, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Gang Yang
- College of Resources and Environment & Chongqing Key Laboratory of Soil Multi-scale Interfacial Process, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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17
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Martin WF. Older Than Genes: The Acetyl CoA Pathway and Origins. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:817. [PMID: 32655499 PMCID: PMC7325901 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, microbiologists have viewed the acetyl CoA pathway and organisms that use it for H2-dependent carbon and energy metabolism, acetogens and methanogens, as ancient. Classical evidence and newer evidence indicating the antiquity of the acetyl CoA pathway are summarized here. The acetyl CoA pathway requires approximately 10 enzymes, roughly as many organic cofactors, and more than 500 kDa of combined subunit molecular mass to catalyze the conversion of H2 and CO2 to formate, acetate, and pyruvate in acetogens and methanogens. However, a single hydrothermal vent alloy, awaruite (Ni3Fe), can convert H2 and CO2 to formate, acetate, and pyruvate under mild hydrothermal conditions on its own. The chemical reactions of H2 and CO2 to pyruvate thus have a natural tendency to occur without enzymes, given suitable inorganic catalysts. This suggests that the evolution of the enzymatic acetyl CoA pathway was preceded by-and patterned along-a route of naturally occurring exergonic reactions catalyzed by transition metal minerals that could activate H2 and CO2 by chemisorption. The principle of forward (autotrophic) pathway evolution from preexisting non-enzymatic reactions is generalized to the concept of patterned evolution of pathways. In acetogens, exergonic reduction of CO2 by H2 generates acyl phosphates by highly reactive carbonyl groups undergoing attack by inert inorganic phosphate. In that ancient reaction of biochemical energy conservation, the energy behind formation of the acyl phosphate bond resides in the carbonyl, not in phosphate. The antiquity of the acetyl CoA pathway is usually seen in light of CO2 fixation; its role in primordial energy coupling via acyl phosphates and substrate-level phosphorylation is emphasized here.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F. Martin
- Institute for Molecular Evolution, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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18
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Sousa-Silva C, Seager S, Ranjan S, Petkowski JJ, Zhan Z, Hu R, Bains W. Phosphine as a Biosignature Gas in Exoplanet Atmospheres. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:235-268. [PMID: 31755740 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A long-term goal of exoplanet studies is the identification and detection of biosignature gases. Beyond the most discussed biosignature gas O2, only a handful of gases have been considered in detail. In this study, we evaluate phosphine (PH3). On Earth, PH3 is associated with anaerobic ecosystems, and as such, it is a potential biosignature gas in anoxic exoplanets. We simulate the atmospheres of habitable terrestrial planets with CO2- and H2-dominated atmospheres and find that PH3 can accumulate to detectable concentrations on planets with surface production fluxes of 1010 to 1014 cm-2 s-1 (corresponding to surface concentrations of 10s of ppb to 100s of ppm), depending on atmospheric composition and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. While high, the surface flux values are comparable to the global terrestrial production rate of methane or CH4 (1011 cm-2 s-1) and below the maximum local terrestrial PH3 production rate (1014 cm-2 s-1). As with other gases, PH3 can more readily accumulate on low-UV planets, for example, planets orbiting quiet M dwarfs or with a photochemically generated UV shield. PH3 has three strong spectral features such that in any atmosphere scenario one of the three will be unique compared with other dominant spectroscopic molecules. Phosphine's weakness as a biosignature gas is its high reactivity, requiring high outgassing rates for detectability. We calculate that tens of hours of JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) time are required for a potential detection of PH3. Yet, because PH3 is spectrally active in the same wavelength regions as other atmospherically important molecules (such as H2O and CH4), searches for PH3 can be carried out at no additional observational cost to searches for other molecular species relevant to characterizing exoplanet habitability. Phosphine is a promising biosignature gas, as it has no known abiotic false positives on terrestrial planets from any source that could generate the high fluxes required for detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Sousa-Silva
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Physics, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Sara Seager
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Physics, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Sukrit Ranjan
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
- SCOL Postdoctoral Fellow
| | - Janusz Jurand Petkowski
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Zhuchang Zhan
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Renyu Hu
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
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19
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Chang Y, Liu M, Liu J. Highly Selective Fluorescent Sensing of Phosphite through Recovery of Poisoned Nickel Oxide Nanozyme. Anal Chem 2020; 92:3118-3124. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Chang
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Meng Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Juewen Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
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20
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21
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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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22
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Overmann J, Huang S, Nübel U, Hahnke RL, Tindall BJ. Relevance of phenotypic information for the taxonomy of not-yet-cultured microorganisms. Syst Appl Microbiol 2018; 42:22-29. [PMID: 30197212 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
To date, far less than 1% of the estimated global species of Bacteria and Archaea have been described and their names validly published. Aside from these quantitative limitations, our understanding of phenotypic and functional diversity of prokaryotes is also highly biased as not a single species has been described for 85 of the 118 phyla that are currently recognized. Due to recent advances in sequencing technology and capacity, metagenomic datasets accumulate at an increasing speed and new bacterial and archaeal genome sequences become available at a faster rate than newly described species. The growing gap between the diversity of Bacteria and Archaea held in pure culture and that detected by molecular methods has led to the proposal to establish a formal nomenclature for not-yet-cultured taxa primarily based on sequence information. According to this proposal, the concept of Candidatus species would be extended to groups of closely related genome sequences and their names validly published following established rules of bacterial nomenclature. The corresponding sequences would be deposited in public databases as the type. The suggested alterations of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes raise concerns regarding (1) the reliability and stability of nomenclature, (2) the technological and conceptual limitations as well as availability of reference genomes, (3) the information content of in silico functional predictions, and (4) the recognition of evolutionary units of microbial diversity. These challenges need to be overcome to arrive at a meaningful taxonomy of not-yet-cultured prokaryotes with so far poorly understood phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Overmann
- Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen, Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Braunschweig-Hannover, Braunschweig, Germany; German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Jena Halle Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Sixing Huang
- Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen, Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Nübel
- Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen, Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Braunschweig-Hannover, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Richard L Hahnke
- Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen, Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Brian J Tindall
- Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen, Inhoffenstraße 7B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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23
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Power JF, Carere CR, Lee CK, Wakerley GLJ, Evans DW, Button M, White D, Climo MD, Hinze AM, Morgan XC, McDonald IR, Cary SC, Stott MB. Microbial biogeography of 925 geothermal springs in New Zealand. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2876. [PMID: 30038374 PMCID: PMC6056493 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05020-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Geothermal springs are model ecosystems to investigate microbial biogeography as they represent discrete, relatively homogenous habitats, are distributed across multiple geographical scales, span broad geochemical gradients, and have reduced metazoan interactions. Here, we report the largest known consolidated study of geothermal ecosystems to determine factors that influence biogeographical patterns. We measured bacterial and archaeal community composition, 46 physicochemical parameters, and metadata from 925 geothermal springs across New Zealand (13.9–100.6 °C and pH < 1–9.7). We determined that diversity is primarily influenced by pH at temperatures <70 °C; with temperature only having a significant effect for values >70 °C. Further, community dissimilarity increases with geographic distance, with niche selection driving assembly at a localised scale. Surprisingly, two genera (Venenivibrio and Acidithiobacillus) dominated in both average relative abundance (11.2% and 11.1%, respectively) and prevalence (74.2% and 62.9%, respectively). These findings provide an unprecedented insight into ecological behaviour in geothermal springs, and a foundation to improve the characterisation of microbial biogeographical processes. Power et al. catalogue the microbial biodiversity and physicochemistry of around 1000 hotsprings across New Zealand, providing insights into the ecological conditions that drive community assembly in these ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean F Power
- Geomicrobiology Research Group, Department of Geothermal Sciences, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand.,Thermophile Research Unit, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Carlo R Carere
- Geomicrobiology Research Group, Department of Geothermal Sciences, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand.,Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
| | - Charles K Lee
- Thermophile Research Unit, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Georgia L J Wakerley
- Thermophile Research Unit, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - David W Evans
- Geomicrobiology Research Group, Department of Geothermal Sciences, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand
| | - Mathew Button
- Department of Computer Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Duncan White
- Wairakei Research Centre, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand
| | - Melissa D Climo
- Wairakei Research Centre, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
| | - Annika M Hinze
- Department of Computer Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - Xochitl C Morgan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ian R McDonald
- Thermophile Research Unit, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
| | - S Craig Cary
- Thermophile Research Unit, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand.
| | - Matthew B Stott
- Geomicrobiology Research Group, Department of Geothermal Sciences, GNS Science, Taupō, 3384, New Zealand. .,School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand.
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24
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Sandoval-Vargas JM, Macedo-Osorio KS, Durán-Figueroa NV, Garibay-Orijel C, Badillo-Corona JA. Chloroplast engineering of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to use phosphite as phosphorus source. ALGAL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2018.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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25
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Han C, Williams PN, Ren J, Wang Z, Fang X, Xu D, Xie X, Geng J, Ma LQ, Luo J. In situ sampling and speciation method for measuring dissolved phosphite at ultratrace concentrations in the natural environment. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 137:281-289. [PMID: 29554532 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.03.031] [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: 11/04/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Phosphite (P+III) is of emerging chemical interest due to its importance within the global phosphorus cycle. Yet, to date, precise/accurate measurements of P+III are still lacking due to the inherent analytical challenges linked to its instability/ease of oxidation and ultra-trace concentration. Here, we present the first in-situ sampling and speciation analysis method, for dissolved P+III, using the diffusive-gradients-in-thin-films (DGT) technique, combined with capillary-column-configured-dual-ion-chromatography (CC-DIC). Method optimization of the DGT elution regime, to simultaneously maximize desorption efficiency and CC-DIC sensitivity, along with the characterization of diffusion coefficients for P+III, were undertaken before full method validation. Laboratory-performance testing confirmed DGT-P+III acquisition to be independent of pH (3.0-10.0) and ionic strength (0-500 mM). The capacity for P+III was 45.8 μg cm-2, while neither P+V (up to 10 mg L-1) nor As+V (up to 1 mg L-1) impacted the DGT-P+III measurement. This novel method's functionality stems from the herein confirmed speciation preservation and double pre-concentration of P+III, resulting in quantification limits as low as 7.44 ng L-1 for a 3-day deployment. Applications of this method in various terrestrial/aquatic environments were demonstrated and simultaneous profiles of P+III and P+V across a sediment-water interface were captured at mm resolution in two contrasting redox-mesocosm systems.
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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.
| | - Paul N Williams
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, United Kingdom
| | - Jinghua Ren
- Geological Survey of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210018, China
| | - Zhaode Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xu Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Di Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xianchuan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jinju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lena Q Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - Jun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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26
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Archean phosphorus liberation induced by iron redox geochemistry. Nat Commun 2018; 9:1346. [PMID: 29632373 PMCID: PMC5890264 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03835-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The element phosphorus (P) is central to ecosystem growth and is proposed to be a limiting nutrient for life. The Archean ocean may have been strongly phosphorus-limited due to the selective binding of phosphate to iron oxyhydroxide. Here we report a new route to solubilizing phosphorus in the ancient oceans: reduction of phosphate to phosphite by iron(II) at low (<200 °C) diagenetic temperatures. Reduction of phosphate to phosphite was likely widespread in the Archean, as the reaction occurs rapidly and is demonstrated from thermochemical modeling, experimental analogs, and detection of phosphite in early Archean rocks. We further demonstrate that the higher solubility of phosphite compared to phosphate results in the liberation of phosphorus from ferruginous sediments. This phosphite is relatively stable after its formation, allowing its accumulation in the early oceans. As such, phosphorus, not as phosphate but as phosphite, could have been a major nutrient in early pre-oxygenated oceans. Phosphorus is presumed to have been a limiting nutrient in the Archean ocean due to binding to iron oxides. Here, the authors show the heating of iron with phosphate results in the reduction of phosphate to the ion phosphite, which is solubilized and ameliorates the issue of a low Archean phosphorus supply.
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27
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Claassens NJ, Sánchez-Andrea I, Sousa DZ, Bar-Even A. Towards sustainable feedstocks: A guide to electron donors for microbial carbon fixation. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2018; 50:195-205. [PMID: 29453021 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2018.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The replacement of fossil and agricultural feedstocks with sustainable alternatives for the production of chemicals and fuels is a societal and environmental necessity. This challenge can be tackled by using inorganic or one-carbon compounds as electron donors for microbial CO2 fixation and bioproduction. Yet, considering the wide array of microbial electron donors, which are the best suited for bioindustry? Here, we propose criteria to evaluate these compounds, considering factors such as production methods, physicochemical properties, and microbial utilization. H2, CO, and formate emerge as the most promising electron donors as they can be produced electrochemically at high efficiency and, importantly, have reduction potentials low enough to directly reduce the cellular electron carriers. Still, further research towards the production and utilization of other electron donors-especially phosphite-might unlock the full potential of microbial CO2 fixation and bioproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Joannes Claassens
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Irene Sánchez-Andrea
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Diana Zita Sousa
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Arren Bar-Even
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
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28
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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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29
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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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30
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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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31
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Overmann
- Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Birte Abt
- Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Johannes Sikorski
- Leibniz-Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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32
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Study on Effects of Electron Donors on Phosphine Production from Anaerobic Activated Sludge. WATER 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/w9080563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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33
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Qiu H, Geng J, Ren H, Ding L, Xu K, Zhang Y. Aquatic transformation of phosphite under natural sunlight and simulated irradiation. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 109:69-76. [PMID: 27866104 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The phototransformation of phosphite (HPO32-, H2PO3-, +3) from Lake Taihu water (THW) under natural sunlight was evaluated. No direct phosphite photoreaction was observed under sunlight. Suspended solids were shown to play important roles in the indirect photoreaction of phosphite in lake water. The phototransformation of phosphite followed pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics and the kinetics constants (k, d-1) decreased as: 0.0324 (original THW), 0.0236 (sterilized THW), 0.0109 (filtered THW) and 0.0102 (sterilized filtered THW). Original THW with 1 mmol L-1 NO3- added was used to simulate the phosphite removal in lakes with serious N pollution. The results showed that the phototransformation was accelerated (with k increased to 0.0386-0.0463 d-1), and sterilization or filtration shown little effect to the transformation, as the half-lives of phosphite drew closer. Under simulated irradiation in NO3- system, increasing NO3- concentration or decreasing pH value promoted phototransformation. The addition of Fe3+ or Fe2+ accelerated photooxidation, while the addition of Mn2+ or Cd2+ inhibited phototransformation. Br-, NO2- and HCO3- in environmental concentrations decreased phototransformation, and HCO3- showed the strongest inhibition. Suwannee River humic acid or Suwannee River fulvic acid strongly inhibited the photooxidation process, and the inhibiting effects varied with their structure. Phosphite photooxidation was strongly inhibited by adding isopropanol or sodium azide as reactive oxygen species (ROS) quenchers. Electron spin resonance analysis indicated that OH was a main oxidant produced in this system. The increased amount of phosphate coincided with the decreased amount of phosphite, which indicated that the transformation product of phosphite was phosphate. Phosphite is a considerable component of the P redox cycle in Lake Taihu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jinju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lili Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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34
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Figueroa IA, Coates JD. Microbial Phosphite Oxidation and Its Potential Role in the Global Phosphorus and Carbon Cycles. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2016; 98:93-117. [PMID: 28189156 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Phosphite [Formula: see text] is a highly soluble, reduced phosphorus compound that is often overlooked in biogeochemical analyses. Although the oxidation of phosphite to phosphate is a highly exergonic process (Eo'=-650mV), phosphite is kinetically stable and can account for 10-30% of the total dissolved P in various environments. There is also evidence that phosphite was more prevalent under the reducing conditions of the Archean period and may have been involved in the development of early life. Its role as a phosphorus source for a variety of extant microorganisms has been known since the 1950s, and the pathways involved in assimilatory phosphite oxidation have been well characterized. More recently, it was demonstrated that phosphite could also act as an electron donor for energy metabolism in a process known as dissimilatory phosphite oxidation (DPO). The bacterium described in this study, Desulfotignum phosphitoxidans strain FiPS-3, was isolated from brackish sediments and is capable of growing by coupling phosphite oxidation to the reduction of either sulfate or carbon dioxide. FiPS-3 remains the only isolated organism capable of DPO, and the prevalence of this metabolism in the environment is still unclear. Nonetheless, given the widespread presence of phosphite in the environment and the thermodynamic favorability of its oxidation, microbial phosphite oxidation may play an important and hitherto unrecognized role in the global phosphorus and carbon cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Figueroa
- University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - J D Coates
- University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
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35
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Qiu H, Geng J, Ren H, Xu Z. Phosphite flux at the sediment-water interface in northern Lake Taihu. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 543:67-74. [PMID: 26580728 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Phosphite (H2PO3(-), HPO3(2-), +3 valence), a reduced form of phosphorus (P), has been widely detected in water environments. The role of phosphite in the P biogeochemical cycle has not been investigated systematically and quantitative results on phosphite fluxes are lacking. In this study, intact sediment core simulation was employed to measure the flux of phosphite at the sediment-water interface in northern Lake Taihu. Phosphite fluxes (μmol m(-2) d(-1)) ranged from -38.21±1.14 to 7.10±2.18, with an annual average of -4.72±10.40. On the whole, phosphite migrated from water into sediment and the sediment was primarily a sink. The highest seasonal negative phosphite fluxes (μmol m(-2) d(-1)) occurred in winter (-10.44±18.63), followed by summer (-8.04±5.61) and spring (-2.61±4.17). In autumn, phosphite flux was 2.20±4.07. Higher annual average negative fluxes of phosphite (μmol m(-2) d(-1)) appeared in site ZSB (-12.70±17.96), which contained the highest content of total soluble P. The average yearly migration of phosphite in Lake Taihu from water to sediment was estimated to be (4.04±8.88)×10(6) mol y(-1). The transfer of phosphite from water into sediment usually occurs in winter may due to the season's natural tendency to create more favorable conditions for phosphite biogeochemical reactions. Phosphite fluxes showed significant negative correlations with the original phosphite concentration in water (r=-0.840, p<0.01), as well as organic matter (r=-0.720, p<0.01) and phosphate bound to Ca (Ca-Ps) (r=-0.632, p<0.05) in sediment. These results indicate that microbiological processes and P species bound to Ca may play an important role in the P redox cycle. No significant correlations between phosphite fluxes and dissolved oxygen or oxidation-reduction potential were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China
| | - Jinju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China.
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China
| | - Zhaoyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China
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36
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A Post-Genomic View of the Ecophysiology, Catabolism and Biotechnological Relevance of Sulphate-Reducing Prokaryotes. Adv Microb Physiol 2015. [PMID: 26210106 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2015.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Dissimilatory sulphate reduction is the unifying and defining trait of sulphate-reducing prokaryotes (SRP). In their predominant habitats, sulphate-rich marine sediments, SRP have long been recognized to be major players in the carbon and sulphur cycles. Other, more recently appreciated, ecophysiological roles include activity in the deep biosphere, symbiotic relations, syntrophic associations, human microbiome/health and long-distance electron transfer. SRP include a high diversity of organisms, with large nutritional versatility and broad metabolic capacities, including anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds and hydrocarbons. Elucidation of novel catabolic capacities as well as progress in the understanding of metabolic and regulatory networks, energy metabolism, evolutionary processes and adaptation to changing environmental conditions has greatly benefited from genomics, functional OMICS approaches and advances in genetic accessibility and biochemical studies. Important biotechnological roles of SRP range from (i) wastewater and off gas treatment, (ii) bioremediation of metals and hydrocarbons and (iii) bioelectrochemistry, to undesired impacts such as (iv) souring in oil reservoirs and other environments, and (v) corrosion of iron and concrete. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of SRPs focusing mainly on works published after 2000. The wealth of publications in this period, covering many diverse areas, is a testimony to the large environmental, biogeochemical and technological relevance of these organisms and how much the field has progressed in these years, although many important questions and applications remain to be explored.
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37
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Pasek MA, Sampson JM, Atlas Z. Redox chemistry in the phosphorus biogeochemical cycle. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:15468-73. [PMID: 25313061 PMCID: PMC4217446 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1408134111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The element phosphorus (P) controls growth in many ecosystems as the limiting nutrient, where it is broadly considered to reside as pentavalent P in phosphate minerals and organic esters. Exceptions to pentavalent P include phosphine--PH3--a trace atmospheric gas, and phosphite and hypophosphite, P anions that have been detected recently in lightning strikes, eutrophic lakes, geothermal springs, and termite hindguts. Reduced oxidation state P compounds include the phosphonates, characterized by C-P bonds, which bear up to 25% of total organic dissolved phosphorus. Reduced P compounds have been considered to be rare; however, the microbial ability to use reduced P compounds as sole P sources is ubiquitous. Here we show that between 10% and 20% of dissolved P bears a redox state of less than +5 in water samples from central Florida, on average, with some samples bearing almost as much reduced P as phosphate. If the quantity of reduced P observed in the water samples from Florida studied here is broadly characteristic of similar environments on the global scale, it accounts well for the concentration of atmospheric phosphine and provides a rationale for the ubiquity of phosphite utilization genes in nature. Phosphine is generated at a quantity consistent with thermodynamic equilibrium established by the disproportionation reaction of reduced P species. Comprising 10-20% of the total dissolved P inventory in Florida environments, reduced P compounds could hence be a critical part of the phosphorus biogeochemical cycle, and in turn may impact global carbon cycling and methanogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Pasek
- School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa FL 33620
| | | | - Zachary Atlas
- School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa FL 33620
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38
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Karl DM. Microbially mediated transformations of phosphorus in the sea: new views of an old cycle. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2014; 6:279-337. [PMID: 24405427 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-010213-135046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is a required element for life. Its various chemical forms are found throughout the lithosphere and hydrosphere, where they are acted on by numerous abiotic and biotic processes collectively referred to as the P cycle. In the sea, microorganisms are primarily responsible for P assimilation and remineralization, including recently discovered P reduction-oxidation bioenergetic processes that add new complexity to the marine microbial P cycle. Human-induced enhancement of the global P cycle via mining of phosphate-bearing rock will likely influence the pace of P-cycle dynamics, especially in coastal marine habitats. The inextricable link between the P cycle and cycles of other bioelements predicts future impacts on, for example, nitrogen fixation and carbon dioxide sequestration. Additional laboratory and field research is required to build a comprehensive understanding of the marine microbial P cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Karl
- Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822;
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39
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Nitschke W, McGlynn SE, Milner-White EJ, Russell MJ. On the antiquity of metalloenzymes and their substrates in bioenergetics. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2013; 1827:871-81. [PMID: 23454059 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2013.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Revised: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Many metalloenzymes that inject and extract reducing equivalents at the beginning and the end of electron transport chains involved in chemiosmosis are suggested, through phylogenetic analysis, to have been present in the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA). Their active centres are affine with the structures of minerals presumed to contribute to precipitate membranes produced on the mixing of hydrothermal solutions with the Hadean Ocean ~4 billion years ago. These mineral precipitates consist of transition element sulphides and oxides such as nickelian mackinawite ([Fe>Ni]2S2), a nickel-bearing greigite (~FeSS[Fe3NiS4]SSFe), violarite (~NiSS[Fe2Ni2S4]SSNi), a molybdenum bearing complex (~Mo(IV/VI)2Fe3S(0/2-)9) and green rust or fougerite (~[Fe(II)Fe(III)(OH)4](+)[OH](-)). They may be respectively compared with the active centres of Ni-Fe hydrogenase, carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH), acetyl coenzyme-A synthase (ACS), the complex iron-sulphur molybdoenzyme (CISM) superfamily and methane monooxygenase (MMO). With the look of good catalysts - a suggestion that gathers some support from prebiotic hydrothermal experimentation - and sequestered by short peptides, they could be thought of as the original building blocks of proto-enzyme active centres. This convergence of the makeup of the LUCA-metalloenzymes with mineral structure and composition of hydrothermal precipitates adds credence to the alkaline hydrothermal (chemiosmotic) theory for the emergence of life, specifically to the possibility that the first metabolic pathway - the acetyl CoA pathway - was initially driven from either end, reductively from CO2 to CO and oxidatively and reductively from CH4 through to a methane thiol group, the two entities assembled with the help of a further thiol on a violarite cluster sequestered by peptides. By contrast, the organic coenzymes were entirely a product of the first metabolic pathways. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Metals in Bioenergetics and Biomimetics Systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Nitschke
- Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, Marseille Cedex 20, France
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Han C, Geng J, Xie X, Wang X, Ren H, Gao S. Determination of phosphite in a eutrophic freshwater lake by suppressed conductivity ion chromatography. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:10667-10674. [PMID: 22954139 DOI: 10.1021/es300771a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of a sensitive and specific method for the detection of reduced phosphorus (P) is crucial for understanding P cycle. This paper presents the quantitative evidence of phosphite (P, +3) from the freshwater matrix correspondent to the typically eutrophic Lake Taihu in China. By ion chromatography coupled with gradient elution procedure, efficient separation of micromolar levels of phosphite is possible in the presence of millimolar levels of interfering ions, such as chloride, sulfate, and hydrogen carbonate in freshwater lakes. Optimal suppressed ion chromatography conditions include the use of 500 μL injection volumes and an AS11 HC analytical column heated to 30 °C. The method detection limit of 0.002 μM for phosphite was successfully applied for phosphite determination in natural water samples with recoveries ranging from 90.7 ± 3.2% to 108 ± 1.5%. Phosphite in the freshwater matrix was also verified using a two-dimensional capillary ion chromatography and ion chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Results confirmed the presence of phosphite in Lake Taihu ranging from 0.01 ± 0.01 to 0.17 ± 0.01 μM, which correlated to 1-10% of the phosphate. Phosphite is an important component of P and may influence biogeochemical P cycle in lakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210046, China
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41
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Andrulis ED. Theory of the origin, evolution, and nature of life. Life (Basel) 2011; 2:1-105. [PMID: 25382118 PMCID: PMC4187144 DOI: 10.3390/life2010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Revised: 12/10/2011] [Accepted: 12/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Life is an inordinately complex unsolved puzzle. Despite significant theoretical progress, experimental anomalies, paradoxes, and enigmas have revealed paradigmatic limitations. Thus, the advancement of scientific understanding requires new models that resolve fundamental problems. Here, I present a theoretical framework that economically fits evidence accumulated from examinations of life. This theory is based upon a straightforward and non-mathematical core model and proposes unique yet empirically consistent explanations for major phenomena including, but not limited to, quantum gravity, phase transitions of water, why living systems are predominantly CHNOPS (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur), homochirality of sugars and amino acids, homeoviscous adaptation, triplet code, and DNA mutations. The theoretical framework unifies the macrocosmic and microcosmic realms, validates predicted laws of nature, and solves the puzzle of the origin and evolution of cellular life in the universe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik D Andrulis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Wood Building, W212, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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Stone BL, White AK. Most probable number quantification of hypophosphite and phosphite oxidizing bacteria in natural aquatic and terrestrial environments. Arch Microbiol 2011; 194:223-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-011-0775-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2011] [Revised: 09/28/2011] [Accepted: 11/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Zhang J, Geng J, Ren H, Luo J, Zhang A, Wang X. Physiological and biochemical responses of Microcystis aeruginosa to phosphite. CHEMOSPHERE 2011; 85:1325-1330. [PMID: 21908013 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.07.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2011] [Revised: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is a key biological element and limiting nutrient in aquatic environments. Phosphate (+5) is traditionally associated with the P nutrient supply. However, phosphite (+3) has recently generated a great deal of interest, because of the possibility that it is a P source based on recognition of its vital role in the original life of the early earth. This study investigated whether phosphite can be an alternative P source for Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806, one of the predominant bloom species in freshwater systems. The results indicated that M. aeruginosa could not utilize phosphite as a sole P-nutrient directly for cell growth at any concentration, but that phosphite could boost cell numbers and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) content as long as phosphate was provided simultaneously. Specifically, Chl-a production increased sharply when 5.44 mg PL(-1) phosphite was added to 0.54 mg PL(-1) phosphate medium. Analysis of the maximum yield of PSII indicated that phosphite may stimulate the photosynthesis process of cells in phosphate-phosphite medium. In addition, phosphite failed to support cell growth, even though it more readily permeated the cells in P-deficient medium than in P-sufficient medium. Alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) analysis indicated that, unlike organic P, phosphite inhibits the response of cells to deficient P status, especially under P-deprived conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, PR China
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Schoepp-Cothenet B, Nitschke W, Barge LM, Ponce A, Russell MJ, Tsapin AI. Comment on "A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus". Science 2011; 332:1149; author reply 1149. [PMID: 21622707 DOI: 10.1126/science.1201438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Wolfe-Simon et al. (Research Articles, 3 June 2011, p. 1163; published online 2 December 2010) argued that the bacterial strain GFAJ-1 can vary the elemental composition of its biomolecules by substituting arsenic for phosphorus. Although their data show that GFAJ-1 is an extraordinary extremophile, consideration of arsenate redox chemistry undermines the suggestion that arsenate can replace the physiologic functions of phosphate.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Schoepp-Cothenet
- Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, IFR88, CNRS, 13402 Marseille, France
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Rosen BP, Ajees AA, McDermott TR. Life and death with arsenic. Arsenic life: an analysis of the recent report "A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus". Bioessays 2011; 33:350-7. [PMID: 21387349 PMCID: PMC3801090 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201100012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic and phosphorus are group 15 elements with similar chemical properties. Is it possible that arsenate could replace phosphate in some of the chemicals that are required for life? Phosphate esters are ubiquitous in biomolecules and are essential for life, from the sugar phosphates of intermediary metabolism to ATP to phospholipids to the phosphate backbone of DNA and RNA. Some enzymes that form phosphate esters catalyze the formation of arsenate esters. Arsenate esters hydrolyze very rapidly in aqueous solution, which makes it improbable that phosphorous could be completely replaced with arsenic to support life. Studies of bacterial growth at high arsenic:phosphorus ratios demonstrate that relatively high arsenic concentrations can be tolerated, and that arsenic can become involved in vital functions in the cell, though likely much less efficiently than phosphorus. Recently Wolfe-Simon et al. [1 ] reported the isolation of a microorganism that they maintain uses arsenic in place of phosphorus for growth. Here, we examine and evaluate their data and conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry P Rosen
- Department of Cellular Biology and Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
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46
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Simeonova DD, Wilson MM, Metcalf WW, Schink B. Identification and heterologous expression of genes involved in anaerobic dissimilatory phosphite oxidation by Desulfotignum phosphitoxidans. J Bacteriol 2010; 192:5237-44. [PMID: 20622064 PMCID: PMC2944520 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00541-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2010] [Accepted: 06/28/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Desulfotignum phosphitoxidans is a strictly anaerobic, Gram-negative bacterium that utilizes phosphite as the sole electron source for homoacetogenic CO2 reduction or sulfate reduction. A genomic library of D. phosphitoxidans, constructed using the fosmid vector pJK050, was screened for clones harboring the genes involved in phosphite oxidation via PCR using primers developed based on the amino acid sequences of phosphite-induced proteins. Sequence analysis of two positive clones revealed a putative operon of seven genes predicted to be involved in phosphite oxidation. Four of these genes (ptxD-ptdFCG) were cloned and heterologously expressed in Desulfotignum balticum, a related strain that cannot use phosphite as either an electron donor or as a phosphorus source. The ptxD-ptdFCG gene cluster was sufficient to confer phosphite uptake and oxidation ability to the D. balticum host strain but did not allow use of phosphite as an electron donor for chemolithotrophic growth. Phosphite oxidation activity was measured in cell extracts of D. balticum transconjugants, suggesting that all genes required for phosphite oxidation were cloned. Genes of the phosphite gene cluster were assigned putative functions on the basis of sequence analysis and enzyme assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diliana Dancheva Simeonova
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, University of Konstanz, Germany, Department of Microbiology and Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Marlena Marie Wilson
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, University of Konstanz, Germany, Department of Microbiology and Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
| | - William W. Metcalf
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, University of Konstanz, Germany, Department of Microbiology and Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Bernhard Schink
- Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, University of Konstanz, Germany, Department of Microbiology and Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
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Yekutiel M, Lane JR, Gupta P, Kjaergaard HG. Calculated Spectroscopy and Atmospheric Photodissociation of Phosphoric Acid. J Phys Chem A 2010; 114:7544-52. [DOI: 10.1021/jp1007957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mivsam Yekutiel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Joseph R. Lane
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - Priyanka Gupta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Henrik G. Kjaergaard
- Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
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Carbon monoxide as an electron donor for the biological reduction of sulphate. Int J Microbiol 2010; 2010:319527. [PMID: 20628586 PMCID: PMC2901600 DOI: 10.1155/2010/319527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2009] [Revised: 03/10/2010] [Accepted: 03/31/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Several strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are able to use carbon monoxide (CO) as a carbon source and electron donor for biological sulphate reduction. These strains exhibit variable resistance to CO toxicity. The most resistant SRB can grow and use CO as an electron donor at concentrations up to 100%, whereas others are already severely inhibited at CO concentrations as low as 1-2%. Here, the utilization, inhibition characteristics, and enzymology of CO metabolism as well as the current state of genomics of CO-oxidizing SRB are reviewed. Carboxydotrophic sulphate-reducing bacteria can be applied for biological sulphate reduction with synthesis gas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) as an electron donor.
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McGuinness ET. Some Molecular Moments of the Hadean and Archaean Aeons: A Retrospective Overview from the Interfacing Years of the Second to Third Millennia. Chem Rev 2010; 110:5191-215. [DOI: 10.1021/cr050061l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eugene T. McGuinness
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey 07079-2690
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50
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Pech H, Henry A, Khachikian CS, Salmassi TM, Hanrahan G, Foster KL. Detection of geothermal phosphite using high-performance liquid chromatography. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2009; 43:7671-5. [PMID: 19921877 PMCID: PMC2780435 DOI: 10.1021/es901469t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the prebiotic mechanisms that initiated the bioavailability of phosphorus, an element essential to life. A better understanding of phosphorus speciation in modern earth environments representative of early earth may help to elucidate the origins of bioavailable phosphorus. This paper presents the first quantitative measurements of phosphite in a pristine geothermal pool representative of early earth. Phosphite and phosphate were initially identified and quantified in geothermal pool and stream samples at Hot Creek Gorge near Mammoth Lakes, California, using suppressed conductivity ion chromatography. Results confirmed the presence of 0.06 +/- 0.02 microM of phosphite and 0.05 +/- 0.01 microM of phosphate in a geothermal pool. In the stream, phosphite concentrations were below detection limit (0.04 microM) and phosphate was measured at 1.06 +/- 0.36 microM. The presence of phosphite in the geothermal pool was confirmed using both chemical oxidation and ion chromatography/mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herbe Pech
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA
| | - Amanda Henry
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA
| | - Crist S. Khachikian
- Department of Civil Engineering, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA
| | - Tina M. Salmassi
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA
| | - Grady Hanrahan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA
| | - Krishna L. Foster
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA
- Corresponding author: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90032-8202; ; phone (323) 343-2309; FAX (323) 343-6490
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