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Park SY, Zhang Y, O'Loughlin EJ, Jo HY, Kwon JS, Kwon MJ. Temperature-dependent microbial reactions by indigenous microbes in bentonite under Fe(III)- and sulfate-reducing conditions. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133318. [PMID: 38154187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Bentonite is a promising buffer material for constructing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) repositories. However, indigenous microbes in bentonite can be introduced to the repository and subsequent sealing of the repository develops anoxic conditions over time which may stimulate fermentation and anaerobic respiration, possibly affecting bentonite structure and SNF repository stability. Moreover, the microbial activity in the bentonite can be impacted by the heat generated from radionuclides decay. Therefore, to investigate the temperature effect on microbial activities in bentonite, we created microcosms with WRK bentonil (a commercial bentonite) using lactate as the electron donor, and sulfate and/or ferrihydrite (Fe(III)) as electron acceptors with incubation at 18 ℃ and 50 ℃. Indigenous WRK microbes reduced sulfate and Fe(III) at both temperatures but with different rates and extents. Lactate was metabolized to acetate at both temperatures, but only to propionate at 18 ℃ during early-stage microbial fermentation. More Fe(III)-reduction at 18 ℃ but more sulfate-reduction at 50 ℃ was observed. Thermophilic and/or metabolically flexible microbes were involved in both fermentation and Fe(III)/sulfate reduction. Our findings illustrate the necessity of considering the influence of temperature on microbial activities when employing bentonite as an engineered buffer material in construction of SNF repository barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Young Park
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Yidan Zhang
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | | | - Ho Young Jo
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Jang-Soon Kwon
- Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon 34057, South Korea
| | - Man Jae Kwon
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea.
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2
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Singh A, Schnürer A, Dolfing J, Westerholm M. Syntrophic entanglements for propionate and acetate oxidation under thermophilic and high-ammonia conditions. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1966-1978. [PMID: 37679429 PMCID: PMC10579422 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01504-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Propionate is a key intermediate in anaerobic digestion processes and often accumulates in association with perturbations, such as elevated levels of ammonia. Under such conditions, syntrophic ammonia-tolerant microorganisms play a key role in propionate degradation. Despite their importance, little is known about these syntrophic microorganisms and their cross-species interactions. Here, we present metagenomes and metatranscriptomic data for novel thermophilic and ammonia-tolerant syntrophic bacteria and the partner methanogens enriched in propionate-fed reactors. A metagenome for a novel bacterium for which we propose the provisional name 'Candidatus Thermosyntrophopropionicum ammoniitolerans' was recovered, together with mapping of its highly expressed methylmalonyl-CoA pathway for syntrophic propionate degradation. Acetate was degraded by a novel thermophilic syntrophic acetate-oxidising candidate bacterium. Electron removal associated with syntrophic propionate and acetate oxidation was mediated by the hydrogen/formate-utilising methanogens Methanoculleus sp. and Methanothermobacter sp., with the latter observed to be critical for efficient propionate degradation. Similar dependence on Methanothermobacter was not seen for acetate degradation. Expression-based analyses indicated use of both H2 and formate for electron transfer, including cross-species reciprocation with sulphuric compounds and microbial nanotube-mediated interspecies interactions. Batch cultivation demonstrated degradation rates of up to 0.16 g propionate L-1 day-1 at hydrogen partial pressure 4-30 Pa and available energy was around -20 mol-1 propionate. These observations outline the multiple syntrophic interactions required for propionate oxidation and represent a first step in increasing knowledge of acid accumulation in high-ammonia biogas production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijeet Singh
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Schnürer
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Dolfing
- Faculty of Energy and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE18QH, UK
| | - Maria Westerholm
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
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3
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Kamagata Y. Cultivating the unseen: Lessons from James Tiedje. MLIFE 2023; 2:217-223. [PMID: 38817816 PMCID: PMC10989887 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Yoichi Kamagata
- National Institute of Advanced and Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)TsukubaJapan
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4
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Westerholm M, Calusinska M, Dolfing J. Syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacteria in methanogenic systems. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 46:6455325. [PMID: 34875063 PMCID: PMC8892533 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The mutual nutritional cooperation underpinning syntrophic propionate degradation provides a scant amount of energy for the microorganisms involved, so propionate degradation often acts as a bottleneck in methanogenic systems. Understanding the ecology, physiology and metabolic capacities of syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacteria (SPOB) is of interest in both engineered and natural ecosystems, as it offers prospects to guide further development of technologies for biogas production and biomass-derived chemicals, and is important in forecasting contributions by biogenic methane emissions to climate change. SPOB are distributed across different phyla. They can exhibit broad metabolic capabilities in addition to syntrophy (e.g. fermentative, sulfidogenic and acetogenic metabolism) and demonstrate variations in interplay with cooperating partners, indicating nuances in their syntrophic lifestyle. In this review, we discuss distinctions in gene repertoire and organization for the methylmalonyl-CoA pathway, hydrogenases and formate dehydrogenases, and emerging facets of (formate/hydrogen/direct) electron transfer mechanisms. We also use information from cultivations, thermodynamic calculations and omic analyses as the basis for identifying environmental conditions governing propionate oxidation in various ecosystems. Overall, this review improves basic and applied understanding of SPOB and highlights knowledge gaps, hopefully encouraging future research and engineering on propionate metabolism in biotechnological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Westerholm
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magdalena Calusinska
- Environmental Research and Innovation Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, rue du Brill 41, B-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Jan Dolfing
- Faculty of Energy and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
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Jannat MAH, Lee J, Shin SG, Hwang S. Long-term enrichment of anaerobic propionate-oxidizing consortia: Syntrophic culture development and growth optimization. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 401:123230. [PMID: 32650104 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Propionate is a quantitatively important methanogenic intermediate in anaerobic digesters and only limited number of microbes can utilize it under syntrophic association with methanogens. The syntrophic propionate oxidizing bacterias are known to be slow growers due to the low energy yield. Thus, propionate get accumulated frequently in anaerobic digesters and it negatively affect digester performance. In this study, propionate degrading consortia from four different seeding sources were enriched in sequential bath mode in two phases; first adaption phase with 1 g/L of propionate concentration and later, high-strength phase with 3 g/L. From 16s rRNA gene based metagenomics analysis of the former phase, four syntrophic microbial groups, Syntrophaceae, Syntrophomonadaceae, Methanobacterium and Methanosaeta were found to be dominant with complete degradation of propionate. The substrate accelerated microbial shifts were observed at high-strength phase with significant decrease of Syntrophaceae up to 26.9 %. Using Response Surface Methodology, pH 6.8-6.9 and temperature 34.5-34.9 °C were found to be optimum growth conditions for the propionate degradation culture. Observed results could be useful to improve degradation efficiencies and obtained enriched culture can be used to recover propionate-accumulated digesters by bio-augmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Abu Hanifa Jannat
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Jangwoo Lee
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea
| | - Seung Gu Shin
- Department of Energy Engineering, Future Convergence Technology Research Institute, Gyeongnam National University of Science and Technology, Jinju, Gyeongnam, South Korea
| | - Seokhwan Hwang
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, South Korea.
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6
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Comprehensive Bioenergetic Evaluation of Microbial Pathway Variants in Syntrophic Propionate Oxidation. mSystems 2020; 5:5/6/e00814-20. [PMID: 33293404 PMCID: PMC7743110 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00814-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, an original methodology was developed that quantifies bioenergetically and physiologically feasible net ATP yields for large numbers of microbial metabolic pathways and their variants under different conditions. All variants are evaluated, which ensures global optimality in finding the pathway variant(s) leading to the highest ATP yield. In this work, a systematic methodology was developed (based on known biochemistry, physiology, and bioenergetics) for the automated feasibility evaluation and net ATP yield quantification of large sets of pathway variants. Possible pathway variants differ in their intermediate metabolites, in which electron carriers are involved, in which steps are consuming/producing ATP, and in which steps are coupled to (and to how many) proton (or its equivalent) translocations. A pathway variant is deemed feasible, under a given set of physiological and environmental conditions, only if all pathway reaction steps have nonpositive Gibbs energy changes and if all the metabolite concentrations remain within an acceptable physiological range (10−6 to 10−2 M). The complete understanding of syntrophic propionate oxidation remains elusive due to uncertainties in pathways and the mechanisms for interspecies electron transfer (IET). Several million combinations of pathway variants and parameters/conditions were evaluated for propionate oxidation, providing unprecedented mechanistic insight into its biochemical and bioenergetic landscape. Our results show that, under a scenario of optimum environmental conditions for propionate oxidation, the Smithella pathway yields the most ATP and the methylmalonyl-coenzyme A (CoA) pathways can generate sufficient ATP for growth only under a cyclical pathway configuration with pyruvate. The results under conditions typical of methanogenic environments show that propionate oxidation via the lactate and via the hydroxypropionyl-CoA pathways yield the most ATP. IET between propionate oxidizers and methanogens can proceed either by dissolved hydrogen via the Smithella pathway or by different mechanisms (e.g., formate or direct IET) if other pathways are used. IMPORTANCE In this work, an original methodology was developed that quantifies bioenergetically and physiologically feasible net ATP yields for large numbers of microbial metabolic pathways and their variants under different conditions. All variants are evaluated, which ensures global optimality in finding the pathway variant(s) leading to the highest ATP yield. The methodology is designed to be especially relevant to hypothesize on which microbial pathway variants should be most favored in microbial ecosystems under high selective pressure for efficient metabolic energy conservation. Syntrophic microbial oxidation of propionate to acetate has an extremely small quantity of available energy and requires an extremely high metabolic efficiency to sustain life. Our results bring mechanistic insights into the optimum pathway variants, other metabolic bottlenecks, and the impact of environmental conditions on the ATP yields. Additionally, our results conclude that, as previously reported, under specific conditions, IET mechanisms other than hydrogen must exist to simultaneously sustain the growth of both propionate oxidizers and hydrogenotrophic methanogens.
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7
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Diverse Microbial Community Profiles of Propionate-Degrading Cultures Derived from Different Sludge Sources of Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment Plants. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8020277. [PMID: 32085468 PMCID: PMC7074800 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8020277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been used for wastewater treatment and production of renewable energy or biogas. Propionate accumulation is one of the important problems leading to an unstable system and low methane production. Revealing propionate-degrading microbiome is necessary to gain a better knowledge for alleviation of the problem. Herein, we systematically investigated the propionate-degrading cultures enriched from various anaerobic sludge sources of agro-industrial wastewater treatment plants using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Different microbial profiles were shown even though the methanogenic activities of all cultures were similar. Interestingly, non-classical propionate-degrading key players Smithella, Syntrophomonas, and Methanosaeta were observed as common prevalent taxa in our enriched cultures. Moreover, different hydrogenotrophic methanogens were found specifically to the different sludge sources. The enriched culture of high salinity sludge showed a distinct microbial profile compared to the others, containing mainly Thermovirga, Anaerolinaceae, Methanosaeta, Syntrophobactor, and Methanospirillum. Our microbiome analysis revealed different propionate-degrading community profiles via mainly the Smithella pathway and offers inside information for microbiome manipulation in AD systems to increase biogas production corresponding to their specific microbial communities.
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Novel syntrophic bacteria in full-scale anaerobic digesters revealed by genome-centric metatranscriptomics. ISME JOURNAL 2020; 14:906-918. [PMID: 31896784 PMCID: PMC7082340 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-019-0571-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) degradation is an important process in methanogenic ecosystems, and is usually catalyzed by SCFA-oxidizing bacteria in syntrophy with methanogens. Current knowledge of this functional guild is mainly based on isolates or enrichment cultures, but these may not reflect the true diversity and in situ activities of the syntrophs predominating in full-scale systems. Here we obtained 182 medium to high quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from the microbiome of two full-scale anaerobic digesters. The transcriptomic response of individual MAG was studied after stimulation with low concentrations of acetate, propionate, or butyrate, separately. The most pronounced response to butyrate was observed for two MAGs of the recently described genus Candidatus Phosphitivorax (phylum Desulfobacterota), expressing a butyrate beta-oxidation pathway. For propionate, the largest response was observed for an MAG of a novel genus in the family Pelotomaculaceae, transcribing a methylmalonyl-CoA pathway. All three species were common in anaerobic digesters at Danish wastewater treatment plants as shown by amplicon analysis, and this is the first time their syntrophic features involved in SCFA oxidation were revealed with transcriptomic evidence. Further, they also possessed unique genomic features undescribed in well-characterized syntrophs, including the metabolic pathways for phosphite oxidation, nitrite and sulfate reduction.
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9
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Yin Q, Wu G. Advances in direct interspecies electron transfer and conductive materials: Electron flux, organic degradation and microbial interaction. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 37:107443. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.107443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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10
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Identification of novel potential acetate-oxidizing bacteria in thermophilic methanogenic chemostats by DNA stable isotope probing. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:8631-8645. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10078-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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11
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Kosaka T, Goda M, Inoue M, Yakushi T, Yamada M. Flagellum-mediated motility in Pelotomaculum thermopropionicum SI. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2019; 83:1362-1371. [PMID: 30919743 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2019.1597618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The basic functions of a propionate-oxidizing bacterium Pelotomaculum thermopropionicum flagellum, such as motility and chemotaxis, have not been studied. To investigate its motility, we compared with that of Syntrophobacter fumaroxidans, an aflagellar propionate-oxidizing bacterium, in soft agar medium. P. thermopropionicum cells spread, while S. fumaroxidans cells moved downward slightly, indicating flagellum-dependent motility in P. thermopropionicum SI. The motility of P. thermopropionicum was inhibited by the addition of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone, a proton uncoupler, which is consistent with the fact that stator protein, MotB of P. thermopropionicum, shared sequence homology with proton-type stators. In addition, 5-N-ethyl-N-isopropyl amiloride, an Na+ channel blocker, showed no inhibitory effect on the motility. Furthermore, motAB of P. thermopropionicum complemented the defective swimming ability of Escherichia coli ∆motAB. These results suggest that the motility of P. thermopropionicum SI depends on the proton-type flagellar motor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Kosaka
- a Department of Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Graduate school of Science and Technology for Innovation , Yamaguchi University , Yamaguchi , Japan.,b Research Center for Thermotolerant Microbial Resources , Yamaguchi University , Yamaguchi , Japan
| | - Mutsumi Goda
- a Department of Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Graduate school of Science and Technology for Innovation , Yamaguchi University , Yamaguchi , Japan
| | - Manami Inoue
- a Department of Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Graduate school of Science and Technology for Innovation , Yamaguchi University , Yamaguchi , Japan
| | - Toshiharu Yakushi
- a Department of Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Graduate school of Science and Technology for Innovation , Yamaguchi University , Yamaguchi , Japan.,b Research Center for Thermotolerant Microbial Resources , Yamaguchi University , Yamaguchi , Japan
| | - Mamoru Yamada
- a Department of Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Graduate school of Science and Technology for Innovation , Yamaguchi University , Yamaguchi , Japan.,b Research Center for Thermotolerant Microbial Resources , Yamaguchi University , Yamaguchi , Japan
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12
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Metatranscriptomic evidence for classical and RuBisCO-mediated CO 2 reduction to methane facilitated by direct interspecies electron transfer in a methanogenic system. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4116. [PMID: 30858464 PMCID: PMC6411985 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40830-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In a staged anaerobic fluidized-bed ceramic membrane bioreactor, metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses were performed to decipher the microbial interactions on the granular activated carbon. Metagenome bins, representing the predominating microbes in the bioreactor: syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacteria (SPOB), acetoclastic Methanothrix concilii, and exoelectrogenic Geobacter lovleyi, were successfully recovered for the reconstruction and analysis of metabolic pathways involved in the transformation of fatty acids to methane. In particular, SPOB degraded propionate into acetate, which was further converted into methane and CO2 by M. concilii via the acetoclastic methanogenesis. Concurrently, G. lovleyi oxidized acetate into CO2, releasing electrons into the extracellular environment. By accepting these electrons through direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET), M. concilii was capable of performing CO2 reduction for further methane formation. Most notably, an alternative RuBisCO-mediated CO2 reduction (the reductive hexulose-phosphate (RHP) pathway) is transcriptionally-active in M. concilii. This RHP pathway enables M. concilii dominance and energy gain by carbon fixation and methanogenesis, respectively via a methyl-H4MPT intermediate, constituting the third methanogenesis route. The complete acetate reduction (2 mole methane formation/1 mole acetate consumption), coupling of acetoclastic methanogenesis and two CO2 reduction pathways, are thermodynamically favorable even under very low substrate condition (down to to 10-5 M level). Such tight interactions via both mediated and direct interspecies electron transfer (MIET and DIET), induced by the conductive GAC promote the overall efficiency of bioenergy processes.
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13
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Shikata A, Sermsathanaswadi J, Thianheng P, Baramee S, Tachaapaikoon C, Waeonukul R, Pason P, Ratanakhanokchai K, Kosugi A. Characterization of an Anaerobic, Thermophilic, Alkaliphilic, High Lignocellulosic Biomass-Degrading Bacterial Community, ISHI-3, Isolated from Biocompost. Enzyme Microb Technol 2018; 118:66-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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14
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Liu P, Lu Y. Concerted Metabolic Shifts Give New Insights Into the Syntrophic Mechanism Between Propionate-Fermenting Pelotomaculum thermopropionicum and Hydrogenotrophic Methanocella conradii. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1551. [PMID: 30038609 PMCID: PMC6046458 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial syntrophy is a thermodynamically-based cooperation between microbial partners that share the small amounts of free energy for anaerobic growth. To gain insights into the mechanism by which syntrophic microorganisms coordinate their metabolism, we constructed cocultures of propionate-oxidizing Pelotomaculum thermopropionicum and hydrogenotrophic Methanocella conradii and compared them to monocultures. Transcriptome analysis was performed on these cultures using strand-specific mRNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The results showed that in coculture both P. thermopropionicum and M. conradii significantly upregulated the expression of genes involved in catabolism but downregulated those for anabolic biosynthesis. Specifically, genes coding for the methylmalonyl-CoA pathway in P. thermopropionicum and key genes for methanogenesis in M. conradii were substantially upregulated in coculture compared to monoculture. The putative flavin-based electron bifurcation/confurcation systems in both organisms were also upregulated in coculture. Formate dehydrogenase encoding genes in both organisms were markedly upregulated, indicating that formate was produced and utilized by P. thermopropionicum and M. conradii, respectively. The inhibition of syntrophic activity by formate and 2-bromoethanesulphonate (2-BES) but not H2/CO2 also suggested that formate production was used by P. thermopropionicum for the recycling of intracellular redox mediators. Finally, flagellum-induced signal transduction and amino acids exchange was upregulated for syntrophic interactions. Together, our study suggests that syntrophic organisms employ multiple strategies including global metabolic shift, utilization of electron bifurcation/confurcation and employing formate as an alternate electron carrier to optimize their metabolisms for syntrophic growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Liu
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yahai Lu
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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15
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Zhang Y, Li J, Liu F, Yan H, Li J. Mediative mechanism of bicarbonate on anaerobic propionate degradation revealed by microbial community and thermodynamics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:12434-12443. [PMID: 29460248 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1430-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Syntrophic acetogenesis of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) such as propionate and butyrate is considered as the rate-limiting step of anaerobic digestion. Though being extensively researched, the mechanism is not well understood as the main constraint on developing effective solutions to the practical problem. In the present research work, the mediation of methanogenic propionate degradation by exogenous bicarbonate was evaluated, while the mechanism was revealed by microbial community and thermodynamics. It was found that the exogenous bicarbonate not more than 0.10 mol/L acted as a mediative role to enrich syntrophic acetogenic bacteria and decrease the actual Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) of syntrophic acetogenesis reaction, resulted in the increased degradation rate and methane production rate of propionate. The remarkably increased ΔG of methanogenic propionate degradation by the exogenous bicarbonate more than 0.15 mol/L decreased the degradation rate and methane production rate of propionate, though the ΔG of syntrophic acetogenesis reaction was also decreased by the exogenous bicarbonate. This research work provided a control strategy to enhance syntrophic acetogenesis, as well as the methanogenic VFAs degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yupeng Zhang
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin, 150090, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianzheng Li
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin, 150090, People's Republic of China.
| | - Fengqin Liu
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin, 150090, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Yan
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 73 Huanghe Road, Harbin, 150090, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiuling Li
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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16
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Leng L, Yang P, Singh S, Zhuang H, Xu L, Chen WH, Dolfing J, Li D, Zhang Y, Zeng H, Chu W, Lee PH. A review on the bioenergetics of anaerobic microbial metabolism close to the thermodynamic limits and its implications for digestion applications. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2018; 247:1095-1106. [PMID: 28958887 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.09.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 09/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The exploration of the energetics of anaerobic digestion systems can reveal how microorganisms cooperate efficiently for cell growth and methane production, especially under low-substrate conditions. The establishment of a thermodynamically interdependent partnership, called anaerobic syntrophy, allows unfavorable reactions to proceed. Interspecies electron transfer and the concentrations of electron carriers are crucial for maintaining this mutualistic activity. This critical review summarizes the functional microorganisms and syntroph partners, particularly in the metabolic pathways and energy conservation of syntrophs. The kinetics and thermodynamics of propionate degradation to methane, reversibility of the acetate oxidation process, and estimation of microbial growth are summarized. The various routes of interspecies electron transfer, reverse electron transfer, and Poly-β-hydroxyalkanoate formation in the syntrophic community are also reviewed. Finally, promising and critical directions of future research are proposed. Fundamental insight in the activities and interactions involved in AD systems could serve as a guidance for engineered systems optimization and upgrade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Leng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Peixian Yang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Shubham Singh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Huichuan Zhuang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Linji Xu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Wen-Hsing Chen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Ilan University, Yilan 260, Taiwan
| | - Jan Dolfing
- School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Dong Li
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Huiping Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Wei Chu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Po-Heng Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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Qin QS, Feng DS, Liu PF, He Q, Li X, Liu AM, Zhang H, Hu GQ, Cheng L. Metagenomic Characterization of Candidatus Smithella cisternae Strain M82_1, a Syntrophic Alkane-Degrading Bacteria, Enriched from the Shengli Oil Field. Microbes Environ 2017; 32:234-243. [PMID: 28781346 PMCID: PMC5606693 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me17022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The methanogenic degradation of hydrocarbons plays an important role in hydrocarbon-contaminated environments in the absence of an external electron acceptor. Members of Syntrophaceae sublineages were previously reported to be responsible for syntrophic alkane degradation. However, limited information is currently available on their physiological capabilities in nature because it is very challenging to cultivate these as-yet uncultured microbes. We herein performed metagenomic sequencing of the methanogenic hexadecane-degrading culture M82 and recovered a nearly complete genome (2.75 Mb, estimated completeness ≥97%) belonging to Syntrophaceae sublineage II. The assembly genome was tentatively named “Candidatus Smithella cisternae strain M82_1”. Genes encoding alkylsuccinate synthase for alkane activation were identified, suggesting that this organism is capable of oxidizing alkanes through fumarate addition. This capability was further supported by the detection of methyl pentadecyl succinic acid and methyl tetradecyl succinic acid in cultures amended with hexadecane and pentadecane, respectively. Genes encoding enzymes for the β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids and butyrate were also identified. The electron transfer flavoprotein/DUF224 complex is presumed to link electron flow from acyl-CoA dehydrogenase to a membrane hydrogenase or formate dehydrogenase. Although no indications of Rnf complexes were detected, genes encoding electron-confurcating hydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase were proposed to couple the thermodynamically favorable oxidation of ferredoxin to generate H2 and formate from NADH. Strain M82_1 synthesized ATP from acetyl-CoA by substrate-level phosphorylation or F1F0-ATP synthases. These results provide an insight into the potential metabolic traits and ecophysiological roles of the syntrophic alkane degrader Syntrophaceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Shan Qin
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture
| | | | - Peng-Fei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture
| | - Qiao He
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture
| | - Xia Li
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture
| | | | - Hui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture
| | - Guo-Quan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture
| | - Lei Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Development and Application of Rural Renewable Energy, Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture
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18
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Hagen LH, Frank JA, Zamanzadeh M, Eijsink VGH, Pope PB, Horn SJ, Arntzen MØ. Quantitative Metaproteomics Highlight the Metabolic Contributions of Uncultured Phylotypes in a Thermophilic Anaerobic Digester. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:e01955-16. [PMID: 27815274 PMCID: PMC5203625 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01955-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we used multiple meta-omic approaches to characterize the microbial community and the active metabolic pathways of a stable industrial biogas reactor with food waste as the dominant feedstock, operating at thermophilic temperatures (60°C) and elevated levels of free ammonia (367 mg/liter NH3-N). The microbial community was strongly dominated (76% of all 16S rRNA amplicon sequences) by populations closely related to the proteolytic bacterium Coprothermobacter proteolyticus. Multiple Coprothermobacter-affiliated strains were detected, introducing an additional level of complexity seldom explored in biogas studies. Genome reconstructions provided metabolic insight into the microbes that performed biomass deconstruction and fermentation, including the deeply branching phyla Dictyoglomi and Planctomycetes and the candidate phylum "Atribacteria" These biomass degraders were complemented by a synergistic network of microorganisms that convert key fermentation intermediates (fatty acids) via syntrophic interactions with hydrogenotrophic methanogens to ultimately produce methane. Interpretation of the proteomics data also suggested activity of a Methanosaeta phylotype acclimatized to high ammonia levels. In particular, we report multiple novel phylotypes proposed as syntrophic acetate oxidizers, which also exert expression of enzymes needed for both the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and β-oxidation of fatty acids to acetyl coenzyme A. Such an arrangement differs from known syntrophic oxidizing bacteria and presents an interesting hypothesis for future studies. Collectively, these findings provide increased insight into active metabolic roles of uncultured phylotypes and presents new synergistic relationships, both of which may contribute to the stability of the biogas reactor. IMPORTANCE Biogas production through anaerobic digestion of organic waste provides an attractive source of renewable energy and a sustainable waste management strategy. A comprehensive understanding of the microbial community that drives anaerobic digesters is essential to ensure stable and efficient energy production. Here, we characterize the intricate microbial networks and metabolic pathways in a thermophilic biogas reactor. We discuss the impact of frequently encountered microbial populations as well as the metabolism of newly discovered novel phylotypes that seem to play distinct roles within key microbial stages of anaerobic digestion in this stable high-temperature system. In particular, we draft a metabolic scenario whereby multiple uncultured syntrophic acetate-oxidizing bacteria are capable of syntrophically oxidizing acetate as well as longer-chain fatty acids (via the β-oxidation and Wood-Ljundahl pathways) to hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which methanogens subsequently convert to methane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Live H Hagen
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Jeremy A Frank
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Mirzaman Zamanzadeh
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Vincent G H Eijsink
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Phillip B Pope
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Svein J Horn
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
| | - Magnus Ø Arntzen
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Ås, Norway
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19
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Simonte FM, Dötsch A, Galego L, Arraiano C, Gescher J. Investigation on the anaerobic propionate degradation byEscherichia coliK12. Mol Microbiol 2016; 103:55-66. [DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca M. Simonte
- Department of Applied Biology; Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT); Karlsruhe Germany
| | - Andreas Dötsch
- Department of Microbiology on Natural and Technical Interfaces; Institute of Functional Interfaces, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT); Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen Germany
| | - Lisete Galego
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica (ITQB), Universidade Nova de Lisboa; Oeiras Portugal
| | - Cecilia Arraiano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica (ITQB), Universidade Nova de Lisboa; Oeiras Portugal
| | - Johannes Gescher
- Department of Applied Biology; Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT); Karlsruhe Germany
- Institute for Biological Interfaces, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT); Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen Germany
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20
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Metagenomic evidence for taxonomic dysbiosis and functional imbalance in the gastrointestinal tracts of children with cystic fibrosis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22493. [PMID: 26940651 PMCID: PMC4778032 DOI: 10.1038/srep22493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) results in inflammation, malabsorption of fats and other nutrients, and obstruction in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, yet the mechanisms linking these disease manifestations to microbiome composition remain largely unexplored. Here we used metagenomic analysis to systematically characterize fecal microbiomes of children with and without CF, demonstrating marked CF-associated taxonomic dysbiosis and functional imbalance. We further showed that these taxonomic and functional shifts were especially pronounced in young children with CF and diminished with age. Importantly, the resulting dysbiotic microbiomes had significantly altered capacities for lipid metabolism, including decreased capacity for overall fatty acid biosynthesis and increased capacity for degrading anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids. Notably, these functional differences correlated with fecal measures of fat malabsorption and inflammation. Combined, these results suggest that enteric fat abundance selects for pro-inflammatory GI microbiota in young children with CF, offering novel strategies for improving the health of children with CF-associated fat malabsorption.
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Stolze Y, Zakrzewski M, Maus I, Eikmeyer F, Jaenicke S, Rottmann N, Siebner C, Pühler A, Schlüter A. Comparative metagenomics of biogas-producing microbial communities from production-scale biogas plants operating under wet or dry fermentation conditions. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2015; 8:14. [PMID: 25688290 PMCID: PMC4329661 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-014-0193-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decomposition of biomass for biogas production can be practiced under wet and dry fermentation conditions. In contrast to the dry fermentation technology, wet fermentation is characterized by a high liquid content and a relatively low total solid content. In this study, the composition and functional potential of a biogas-producing microbial community in an agricultural biogas reactor operating under wet fermentation conditions was analyzed by a metagenomic approach applying 454-pyrosequencing. The obtained metagenomic dataset and corresponding 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequences were compared to the previously sequenced comparable metagenome from a dry fermentation process, meeting explicitly identical boundary conditions regarding sample and community DNA preparation, sequencing technology, processing of sequence reads and data analyses by bioinformatics tools. RESULTS High-throughput metagenome sequencing of community DNA from the wet fermentation process applying the pyrosequencing approach resulted in 1,532,780 reads, with an average read length of 397 bp, accounting for approximately 594 million bases of sequence information in total. Taxonomic comparison of the communities from wet and dry fermentation revealed similar microbial profiles with Bacteria being the predominant superkingdom, while the superkingdom Archaea was less abundant. In both biogas plants, the bacterial phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Spirochaetes and Proteobacteria were identified with descending frequencies. Within the archaeal superkingdom, the phylum Euryarchaeota was most abundant with the dominant class Methanomicrobia. Functional profiles of the communities revealed that environmental gene tags representing methanogenesis enzymes were present in both biogas plants in comparable frequencies. 16S rRNA gene amplicon high-throughput sequencing disclosed differences in the sub-communities comprising methanogenic Archaea between both processes. Fragment recruitments of metagenomic reads to the reference genome of the archaeon Methanoculleus bourgensis MS2(T) revealed that dominant methanogens within the dry fermentation process were highly related to the reference. CONCLUSIONS Although process parameters, substrates and technology differ between the wet and dry biogas fermentations analyzed in this study, community profiles are very similar at least at higher taxonomic ranks, illustrating that core community taxa perform key functions in biomass decomposition and methane synthesis. Regarding methanogenesis, Archaea highly related to the type strain M. bourgensis MS2(T) dominate the dry fermentation process, suggesting the adaptation of members belonging to this species to specific fermentation process parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Stolze
- />Institute for Genome Research and Systems Biology, CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Martha Zakrzewski
- />QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Herston, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Australia
| | - Irena Maus
- />Institute for Genome Research and Systems Biology, CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Felix Eikmeyer
- />Institute for Genome Research and Systems Biology, CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Sebastian Jaenicke
- />Bioinformatics Resource Facility, CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Nils Rottmann
- />NORTH-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH, Oldenhörn 1, 25821 Bredstedt, Germany
| | - Clemens Siebner
- />Institute for Genome Research and Systems Biology, CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Alfred Pühler
- />Institute for Genome Research and Systems Biology, CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Andreas Schlüter
- />Institute for Genome Research and Systems Biology, CeBiTec, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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22
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A genomic view on syntrophic versus non-syntrophic lifestyle in anaerobic fatty acid degrading communities. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2014; 1837:2004-2016. [PMID: 24973598 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2014.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Revised: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In sulfate-reducing and methanogenic environments complex biopolymers are hydrolyzed and degraded by fermentative micro-organisms that produce hydrogen, carbon dioxide and short chain fatty acids. Degradation of short chain fatty acids can be coupled to methanogenesis or to sulfate-reduction. Here we study from a genome perspective why some of these micro-organisms are able to grow in syntrophy with methanogens and others are not. Bacterial strains were selected based on genome availability and upon their ability to grow on short chain fatty acids alone or in syntrophic association with methanogens. Systematic functional domain profiling allowed us to shed light on this fundamental and ecologically important question. Extra-cytoplasmic formate dehydrogenases (InterPro domain number; IPR006443), including their maturation protein FdhE (IPR024064 and IPR006452) is a typical difference between syntrophic and non-syntrophic butyrate and propionate degraders. Furthermore, two domains with a currently unknown function seem to be associated with the ability of syntrophic growth. One is putatively involved in capsule or biofilm production (IPR019079) and a second in cell division, shape-determination or sporulation (IPR018365). The sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfobacterium autotrophicum HRM2, Desulfomonile tiedjei and Desulfosporosinus meridiei were never tested for syntrophic growth, but all crucial domains were found in their genomes, which suggests their possible ability to grow in syntrophic association with methanogens. In addition, profiling domains involved in electron transfer mechanisms revealed the important role of the Rnf-complex and the formate transporter in syntrophy, and indicate that DUF224 may have a role in electron transfer in bacteria other than Syntrophomonas wolfei as well. This article is a part of a Special Issue entitled: 18th European Bioenergetics Conference (Biochim. Biophys. Acta, Volume 1837, Issue 7, July 2014).
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23
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Kosaka T, Toh H, Fujiyama A, Sakaki Y, Watanabe K, Meng XY, Hanada S, Toyoda A. Physiological and genetic basis for self-aggregation of a thermophilic hydrogenotrophic methanogen, Methanothermobacter strain CaT2. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2014; 6:268-277. [PMID: 24983531 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Several thermophilic hydrogenotrophic methanogens naturally aggregate in their habitats in association with hydrogen-producing bacteria for efficient transfer of the methane fermentation intermediates to produce methane. However, physiology of aggregation and the identity of aggregation-specific genes remain to be elucidated. Here, we isolated and characterized a hydrogen and formate-utilizing Methanothermobacter sp. CaT2 that is capable of self-aggregation and utilizing formate. CaT2 produced methane from propionate oxidation in association with a syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacterium faster than other methanogens, including Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus ΔH and Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus Z-245. CaT2 also aggregated throughout the culture period and was coated with polysaccharides, which was not found on the ΔH and Z-245 cells. Sugar content (particularly of rhamnose and mannose) was also higher in the CaT2 cells than the ΔH and Z-245 cells. Comparative genomic analysis of CaT2 indicated that four candidate genes, all of which encode glycosyltransferase, were involved in aggregation of CaT2. Transcriptional analysis showed that one glycosyltransferase gene was expressed at relatively high levels under normal growth conditions. The polysaccharide layer on the CaT2 cell surface, which is probably assembled by these glycosyltransferases, may be involved in cell aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Kosaka
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi, 753-8515, Japan; PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan; Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, 305-8566, Japan
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24
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Kuever J, Visser M, Loeffler C, Boll M, Worm P, Sousa DZ, Plugge CM, Schaap PJ, Muyzer G, Pereira IAC, Parshina SN, Goodwin LA, Kyrpides NC, Detter J, Woyke T, Chain P, Davenport KW, Rohde M, Spring S, Klenk HP, Stams AJM. Genome analysis of Desulfotomaculum gibsoniae strain Groll(T) a highly versatile Gram-positive sulfate-reducing bacterium. Stand Genomic Sci 2014; 9:821-39. [PMID: 25197466 PMCID: PMC4148979 DOI: 10.4056/sigs.5209235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Desulfotomaculum gibsoniae is a mesophilic member of the polyphyletic spore-forming genus Desulfotomaculum within the family Peptococcaceae. This bacterium was isolated from a freshwater ditch and is of interest because it can grow with a large variety of organic substrates, in particular several aromatic compounds, short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids, which are degraded completely to carbon dioxide coupled to the reduction of sulfate. It can grow autotrophically with H2 + CO2 and sulfate and slowly acetogenically with H2 + CO2, formate or methoxylated aromatic compounds in the absence of sulfate. It does not require any vitamins for growth. Here, we describe the features of D. gibsoniae strain GrollT together with the genome sequence and annotation. The chromosome has 4,855,529 bp organized in one circular contig and is the largest genome of all sequenced Desulfotomaculum spp. to date. A total of 4,666 candidate protein-encoding genes and 96 RNA genes were identified. Genes of the acetyl-CoA pathway, possibly involved in heterotrophic growth and in CO2 fixation during autotrophic growth, are present. The genome contains a large set of genes for the anaerobic transformation and degradation of aromatic compounds, which are lacking in the other sequenced Desulfotomaculum genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kuever
- Department of Microbiology, Bremen Institute for Materials Testing, Bremen, Germany
| | - Michael Visser
- Wageningen University, Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Loeffler
- Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Institute of Biology II, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Boll
- Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Institute of Biology II, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Petra Worm
- Wageningen University, Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Diana Z Sousa
- Wageningen University, Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline M Plugge
- Wageningen University, Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J Schaap
- Wageningen University, Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Muyzer
- Department of Aquatic Microbiology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ines A C Pereira
- Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Sofiya N Parshina
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Lynne A Goodwin
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California, USA ; Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | | | - Janine Detter
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Tanja Woyke
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California, USA
| | - Patrick Chain
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California, USA ; Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Karen W Davenport
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, California, USA ; Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Manfred Rohde
- HZI - Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Stefan Spring
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ - German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Klenk
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ - German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Alfons J M Stams
- Wageningen University, Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen, The Netherlands ; University of Minho, Centre of Biological Engineering, Braga, Portugal
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25
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Genome sequencing of a single cell of the widely distributed marine subsurface Dehalococcoidia, phylum Chloroflexi. ISME JOURNAL 2013; 8:383-97. [PMID: 23966099 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2013.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2013] [Revised: 06/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria of the class Dehalococcoidia (DEH), phylum Chloroflexi, are widely distributed in the marine subsurface, yet metabolic properties of the many uncultivated lineages are completely unknown. This study therefore analysed genomic content from a single DEH cell designated 'DEH-J10' obtained from the sediments of Aarhus Bay, Denmark. Real-time PCR showed the DEH-J10 phylotype was abundant in upper sediments but was absent below 160 cm below sea floor. A 1.44 Mbp assembly was obtained and was estimated to represent up to 60.8% of the full genome. The predicted genome is much larger than genomes of cultivated DEH and appears to confer metabolic versatility. Numerous genes encoding enzymes of core and auxiliary beta-oxidation pathways were identified, suggesting that this organism is capable of oxidising various fatty acids and/or structurally related substrates. Additional substrate versatility was indicated by genes, which may enable the bacterium to oxidise aromatic compounds. Genes encoding enzymes of the reductive acetyl-CoA pathway were identified, which may also enable the fixation of CO2 or oxidation of organics completely to CO2. Genes encoding a putative dimethylsulphoxide reductase were the only evidence for a respiratory terminal reductase. No evidence for reductive dehalogenase genes was found. Genetic evidence also suggests that the organism could synthesise ATP by converting acetyl-CoA to acetate by substrate-level phosphorylation. Other encoded enzymes putatively conferring marine adaptations such as salt tolerance and organo-sulphate sulfohydrolysis were identified. Together, these analyses provide the first insights into the potential metabolic traits that may enable members of the DEH to occupy an ecological niche in marine sediments.
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26
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Li YF, Wei S, Yu Z. Feedstocks affect the diversity and distribution of propionate CoA-transferase genes (pct) in anaerobic digesters. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2013; 66:351-62. [PMID: 23640276 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-013-0234-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an attractive microbiological technology for both waste treatment and energy production. Syntrophic acetogenic bacteria are an important guild because they are essential for maintaining efficient and stable AD operation. However, this guild is poorly understood due to difficulties to culture them. In this study, we developed specific PCR assays targeting the propionate-CoA transferase genes (pct) to investigate their diversity and distribution in several mesophilic anaerobic digesters and a bench-scale temperature-phased AD (TPAD) system. Phylogenetic analysis of sequenced pct amplicons revealed the occurrence of Syntrophobacter fumaroxidans and six other clusters of putative pct genes. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed that pct diversity and abundance were largely correlated to the feedstocks of the digesters, while little difference was seen between the granular and the liquid fractions of each digester or between the two digesters of the TPAD system. Cluster-specific qPCR analysis revealed major impact of feedstocks and fractions on the abundance of pct genes. Readily fermentable substrates such as sugar- or starch-rich feedstocks selected for pct genes (Cluster I) related to Syntrophobacter, while manure feedstock selected for pct clusters related to pct of Clostridium spp. These results suggest that propionate metabolism can be affected by feedstocks and partition differently between solid and liquid phases in digesters. The PCR assays developed in this study may serve as a tool to investigate propionate-oxidizing bacteria in anaerobic digesters and other anaerobic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueh-Fen Li
- Environmental Science Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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27
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Taubert M, Vogt C, Wubet T, Kleinsteuber S, Tarkka MT, Harms H, Buscot F, Richnow HH, von Bergen M, Seifert J. Protein-SIP enables time-resolved analysis of the carbon flux in a sulfate-reducing, benzene-degrading microbial consortium. ISME JOURNAL 2012; 6:2291-301. [PMID: 22791237 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2012.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Benzene is a major contaminant in various environments, but the mechanisms behind its biodegradation under strictly anoxic conditions are not yet entirely clear. Here we analyzed a benzene-degrading, sulfate-reducing enrichment culture originating from a benzene-contaminated aquifer by a metagenome-based functional metaproteomic approach, using protein-based stable isotope probing (protein-SIP). The time-resolved, quantitative analysis of carbon fluxes within the community supplied with either (13)C-labeled benzene or (13)C-labeled carbonate yielded different functional groups of organisms, with their peptides showing specific time dependencies of (13)C relative isotope abundance indicating different carbon utilization. Through a detailed analysis of the mass spectrometric (MS) data, it was possible to quantify the utilization of the initial carbon source and the metabolic intermediates. The functional groups were affiliated to Clostridiales, Deltaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi. The Clostridiales-related organisms were involved in benzene degradation, putatively by fermentation, and additionally used significant amounts of carbonate as a carbon source. The other groups of organisms were found to perform diverse functions, with Deltaproteobacteria degrading fermentation products and Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi being putative scavengers feeding on dead cells. A functional classification of identified proteins supported this allocation and gave further insights into the metabolic pathways and the interactions between the community members. This example shows how protein-SIP can be applied to obtain temporal and phylogenetic information about functional interdependencies within microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Taubert
- Department of Proteomics, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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28
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Sieber JR, McInerney MJ, Gunsalus RP. Genomic insights into syntrophy: the paradigm for anaerobic metabolic cooperation. Annu Rev Microbiol 2012; 66:429-52. [PMID: 22803797 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-micro-090110-102844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 313] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Syntrophy is a tightly coupled mutualistic interaction between hydrogen-/formate-producing and hydrogen-/formate-using microorganisms that occurs throughout the microbial world. Syntrophy is essential for global carbon cycling, waste decomposition, and biofuel production. Reverse electron transfer, e.g., the input of energy to drive critical redox reactions, is a defining feature of syntrophy. Genomic analyses indicate multiple systems for reverse electron transfer, including ion-translocating ferredoxin:NAD(+) oxidoreductase and hydrogenases, two types of electron transfer flavoprotein:quinone oxidoreductases, and other quinone reactive complexes. Confurcating hydrogenases that couple the favorable production of hydrogen from reduced ferredoxin with the unfavorable production of hydrogen from NADH are present in almost all syntrophic metabolizers, implicating their critical role in syntrophy. Transcriptomic analysis shows upregulation of many genes without assigned functions in the syntrophic lifestyle. High-throughput technologies provide insight into the mechanisms used to establish and maintain syntrophic consortia and conserve energy from reactions that operate close to thermodynamic equilibrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Sieber
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, 73019, USA.
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29
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Response surface methodology analysis of anaerobic syntrophic degradation of volatile fatty acids in an upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactor inoculated with enriched cultures. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-011-0248-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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30
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Daniels C, Michán C, Ramos JL. New molecular tools for enhancing methane production, explaining thermodynamically limited lifestyles and other important biotechnological issues. Microb Biotechnol 2011; 2:533-6. [PMID: 21255285 PMCID: PMC3815360 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-7915.2009.00134.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Craig Daniels
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Department of Environmental Protection, C/ Prof. Albareda, 1, E-18008 Granada, Spain
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31
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Amani T, Nosrati M, Mousavi SM. Using enriched cultures for elevation of anaerobic syntrophic interactions between acetogens and methanogens in a high-load continuous digester. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2011; 102:3716-3723. [PMID: 21186121 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.11.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2010] [Revised: 11/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/24/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are key intermediates in anaerobic digestion. Enriched acetogenic and methanogenic cultures were used for syntrophic anaerobic digestion of VFAs in a high-load continuous reactor fed with acetic (HAc), propionic (HPr) and butyric (HBu) acids at maximum concentrations of 5, 3 and 4 g/L, respectively. Interactive effects of HPr, HBu and HAc were analyzed. Furthermore, hydraulic retention time (HRT) and methanogen to acetogen population ratio (M/A) were investigated as key microbiological and operating variables of VFA anaerobic degradations. Optimum conditions were found to be HPr=1125.0mg/L, HBu=1833.4 mg/L, HAc=1727.4 mg/L, HRT=21 h and M/A=2.5 (corresponding to maximum VFA removal and biogas production rate (BPR)). Results of verification experiments and predicted values from fitted correlations were in close agreement at 95% confidence interval. HRT and M/A had positive effects on VFA removal and BPR. M/A was the most important factor that affected BPR. All VFAs inhibited VFA removals.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Amani
- Biotechnology Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-143, Tehran, Iran
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32
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Han MJ, Lee JW, Lee SY. Understanding and engineering of microbial cells based on proteomics and its conjunction with other omics studies. Proteomics 2011; 11:721-43. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201000411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2010] [Revised: 09/05/2010] [Accepted: 09/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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33
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Winderl C, Penning H, Netzer FV, Meckenstock RU, Lueders T. DNA-SIP identifies sulfate-reducing Clostridia as important toluene degraders in tar-oil-contaminated aquifer sediment. ISME JOURNAL 2010; 4:1314-25. [PMID: 20428224 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2010.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Global groundwater resources are constantly challenged by a multitude of contaminants such as aromatic hydrocarbons. Especially in anaerobic habitats, a large diversity of unrecognized microbial populations may be responsible for their degradation. Still, our present understanding of the respective microbiota and their ecophysiology is almost exclusively based on a small number of cultured organisms, mostly within the Proteobacteria. Here, by DNA-based stable isotope probing (SIP), we directly identified the most active sulfate-reducing toluene degraders in a diverse sedimentary microbial community originating from a tar-oil-contaminated aquifer at a former coal gasification plant. On incubation of fresh sediments with (13)C(7)-toluene, the production of both sulfide and (13)CO(2) was clearly coupled to the (13)C-labeling of DNA of microbes related to Desulfosporosinus spp. within the Peptococcaceae (Clostridia). The screening of labeled DNA fractions also suggested a novel benzylsuccinate synthase alpha-subunit (bssA) sequence type previously only detected in the environment to be tentatively affiliated with these degraders. However, carbon flow from the contaminant into degrader DNA was only ∼50%, pointing toward high ratios of heterotrophic CO(2)-fixation during assimilation of acetyl-CoA originating from the contaminant by these degraders. These findings demonstrate that the importance of non-proteobacterial populations in anaerobic aromatics degradation, as well as their specific ecophysiology in the subsurface may still be largely ungrasped.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Winderl
- Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
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34
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Kato S, Watanabe K. Ecological and Evolutionary Interactions in Syntrophic Methanogenic Consortia. Microbes Environ 2010; 25:145-51. [DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me10122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kazuya Watanabe
- Hashimoto Light Energy Conversion Project, ERATO, JST
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo
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35
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Stams AJM, Plugge CM. Electron transfer in syntrophic communities of anaerobic bacteria and archaea. Nat Rev Microbiol 2009; 7:568-77. [PMID: 19609258 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro2166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 690] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Interspecies electron transfer is a key process in methanogenic and sulphate-reducing environments. Bacteria and archaea that live in syntrophic communities take advantage of the metabolic abilities of their syntrophic partner to overcome energy barriers and break down compounds that they cannot digest by themselves. Here, we review the transfer of hydrogen and formate between bacteria and archaea that helps to sustain growth in syntrophic methanogenic communities. We also describe the process of reverse electron transfer, which is a key requirement in obligately syntrophic interactions. Anaerobic methane oxidation coupled to sulphate reduction is also carried out by syntrophic communities of bacteria and archaea but, as we discuss, the exact mechanism of this syntrophic interaction is not yet understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfons J M Stams
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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36
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Worm P, Fermoso FG, Lens PN, Plugge CM. Decreased activity of a propionate degrading community in a UASB reactor fed with synthetic medium without molybdenum, tungsten and selenium. Enzyme Microb Technol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2009.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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37
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Investigation of factors influencing biogas production in a large-scale thermophilic municipal biogas plant. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2009; 84:987-1001. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-009-2093-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2009] [Revised: 06/15/2009] [Accepted: 06/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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38
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van Vugt-Lussenburg BMA, van der Weel L, Hagen WR, Hagedoorn PL. Identification of two [4Fe-4S]-cluster-containing hydro-lyases from Pyrococcus furiosus. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2009; 155:3015-3020. [PMID: 19520720 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.030320-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus is a strict anaerobe. It is therefore not expected to use the oxidative tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle for energy transduction. Nonetheless, its genome encodes more putative TCA cycle enzymes than the closely related Pyrococcus horikoshii and Pyrococcus abyssi, including an aconitase (PF0201). Furthermore, a two-subunit fumarase (PF1755 and PF1754) is encoded on the Pyr. furiosus genome. In the present study, these three genes were heterologously overexpressed in Escherichia coli to enable characterization of the enzymes. PF1755 and PF1754 were shown to form a [4Fe-4S]-cluster-containing heterodimeric enzyme, able to catalyse the reversible hydratation of fumarate. The aconitase PF0201 also contained an Fe-S cluster, and catalysed the conversion from citrate to isocitrate. The fumarase belongs to the class of two-subunit, [4Fe-4S]-cluster-containing fumarate hydratases exemplified by MmcBC from Pelotomaculum thermopropionicum; the aconitase belongs to the aconitase A family. Aconitase probably plays a role in amino acid synthesis when the organism grows on carbohydrates. However, the function of the seemingly metabolically isolated fumarase in Pyr. furiosus has yet to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura van der Weel
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfred R Hagen
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Peter-Leon Hagedoorn
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands
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39
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Kato S, Kosaka T, Watanabe K. Substrate-dependent transcriptomic shifts in Pelotomaculum thermopropionicum grown in syntrophic co-culture with Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus. Microb Biotechnol 2009; 2:575-84. [PMID: 21255290 PMCID: PMC3815365 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-7915.2009.00102.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pelotomaculum thermopropionicum is a syntrophic propionate‐oxidizing bacterium that catalyses the intermediate bottleneck step of the anaerobic‐biodegradation process. As it thrives on a very small energy conserved by propionate oxidation under syntrophic association with a methanogen, its catabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms are of biological interest. In this study, we constructed high‐density oligonucleotide microarrays for P. thermopropionicum, and used them to analyse global transcriptional responses of this organism to different growth substrates (propionate, ethanol, propanol and lactate) in co‐culture with a hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaeon, Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus (by reference to fumarate monoculture). We found that a substantial number of genes were upregulated in the syntrophic co‐cultures irrespective of growth substrates (including those related to amino‐acid and cofactor metabolism), suggesting that these processes were influenced by the syntrophic partner. Expression of the central catabolic pathway (the propionate‐oxidizing methylmalonyl‐CoA pathway) was found to be substrate‐dependent and was largely stimulated when P. thermopropionicum was grown on propionate and lactate. This finding was supported by results of growth tests, revealing that syntrophic propionate oxidation was largely accelerated by supplementation with lactate. These results revealed that P. thermopropionicum has complex regulatory mechanisms that alter its metabolism in response to the syntrophic partner and growth substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souichiro Kato
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Marine Biotechnology Institute, Kamaishi, Iwate 026-0001, Japan
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40
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Lacerda CMR, Reardon KF. Environmental proteomics: applications of proteome profiling in environmental microbiology and biotechnology. BRIEFINGS IN FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS AND PROTEOMICS 2009; 8:75-87. [PMID: 19279070 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elp005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we present the use of proteomics to advance knowledge in the field of environmental biotechnology, including studies of bacterial physiology, metabolism and ecology. Bacteria are widely applied in environmental biotechnology for their ability to catalyze dehalogenation, methanogenesis, denitrification and sulfate reduction, among others. Their tolerance to radiation and toxic compounds is also of importance. Proteomics has an important role in helping uncover the pathways behind these cellular processes. Environmental samples are often highly complex, which makes proteome studies in this field especially challenging. Some of these challenges are the lack of genome sequences for the vast majority of environmental bacteria, difficulties in isolating bacteria and proteins from certain environments, and the presence of complex microbial communities. Despite these challenges, proteomics offers a unique dynamic view into cellular function. We present examples of environmental proteomics of model organisms, and then discuss metaproteomics (microbial community proteomics), which has the potential to provide insights into the function of a community without isolating organisms. Finally, the environmental proteomics literature is summarized as it pertains to the specific application areas of wastewater treatment, metabolic engineering, microbial ecology and environmental stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla M R Lacerda
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1370, USA
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41
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McInerney MJ, Struchtemeyer CG, Sieber J, Mouttaki H, Stams AJM, Schink B, Rohlin L, Gunsalus RP. Physiology, ecology, phylogeny, and genomics of microorganisms capable of syntrophic metabolism. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2008; 1125:58-72. [PMID: 18378587 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1419.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Syntrophic metabolism is diverse in two respects: phylogenetically with microorganisms capable of syntrophic metabolism found in the Deltaproteobacteria and in the low G+C gram-positive bacteria, and metabolically given the wide variety of compounds that can be syntrophically metabolized. The latter includes saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, alcohols, and hydrocarbons. Besides residing in freshwater and marine anoxic sediments and soils, microbes capable of syntrophic metabolism also have been observed in more extreme habitats, including acidic soils, alkaline soils, thermal springs, and permanently cold soils, demonstrating that syntrophy is a widely distributed metabolic process in nature. Recent ecological and physiological studies show that syntrophy plays a far larger role in carbon cycling than was previously thought. The availability of the first complete genome sequences for four model microorganisms capable of syntrophic metabolism provides the genetic framework to begin dissecting the biochemistry of the marginal energy economies and interspecies interactions that are characteristic of the syntrophic lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J McInerney
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, 770 Van Vleet Oval, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
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42
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Tatara M, Makiuchi T, Ueno Y, Goto M, Sode K. Methanogenesis from acetate and propionate by thermophilic down-flow anaerobic packed-bed reactor. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2008; 99:4786-4795. [PMID: 18024108 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2007.09.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2006] [Revised: 09/18/2007] [Accepted: 09/21/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The maximum propionate removal rate was 13.7 g/L-reactor/day at the organic loading rate of 66.4 kg-CODcr/m3-reactor/day (HRT, 4.75 h); however, the removal efficiency was very low. Clone library analysis and quantification by real-time PCR using 16S rRNA gene revealed that the population of methanogenic archaea in the biofilm fraction that developed on the packed bed was higher than that in the liquid fraction. The clone, which is related to Methanosarcina, was detected only in the biofilm fraction. The clones closely related to Pelotomaculum, which is capable of degrading propionate, and the hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanothermobactor were also detected only in the biofilm fraction in the acetate and propionate-fed reactor. The experimental results indicate that the packed-bed design can maintain a sufficiently high density of methanogenic microorganisms within the system even at reduced HRTs as well as facilitate an efficient degradation of propionate and acetate, possibly through syntrophic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Tatara
- Environmental Engineering and Bioengineering Group, Kajima Technical Research Institute, 2-19-1 Tobitakyu, Chofu-shi, Tokyo 182-0036, Japan.
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43
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Krause L, Diaz NN, Edwards RA, Gartemann KH, Krömeke H, Neuweger H, Pühler A, Runte KJ, Schlüter A, Stoye J, Szczepanowski R, Tauch A, Goesmann A. Taxonomic composition and gene content of a methane-producing microbial community isolated from a biogas reactor. J Biotechnol 2008; 136:91-101. [PMID: 18611419 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2008.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2008] [Revised: 06/03/2008] [Accepted: 06/09/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A total community DNA sample from an agricultural biogas reactor continuously fed with maize silage, green rye, and small proportions of chicken manure has recently been sequenced using massively parallel pyrosequencing. In this study, the sample was computationally characterized without a prior assembly step, providing quantitative insights into the taxonomic composition and gene content of the underlying microbial community. Clostridiales from the phylum Firmicutes is the most prevalent phylogenetic order, Methanomicrobiales are dominant among methanogenic archaea. An analysis of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) revealed that the entire microbial community is only partially covered by the sequenced sample, despite that estimates suggest only a moderate overall diversity of the community. Furthermore, the results strongly indicate that archaea related to the genus Methanoculleus, using CO2 as electron acceptor and H2 as electron donor, are the main producers of methane in the analyzed biogas reactor sample. A phylogenetic analysis of glycosyl hydrolase protein families suggests that Clostridia play an important role in the digestion of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides. Finally, the results unveiled that most of the organisms constituting the sample are still unexplored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Krause
- Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Universität Bielefeld, D-33594 Bielefeld, Germany.
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44
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Kosaka T, Kato S, Shimoyama T, Ishii S, Abe T, Watanabe K. The genome of Pelotomaculum thermopropionicum reveals niche-associated evolution in anaerobic microbiota. Genome Res 2008; 18:442-8. [PMID: 18218977 DOI: 10.1101/gr.7136508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The anaerobic biodegradation of organic matter is accomplished by sequential syntrophic catabolism by microbes in different niches. Pelotomaculum thermopropionicum is a representative syntrophic bacterium that catalyzes the intermediate bottleneck step in the anaerobic-biodegradation process, whereby volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and alcohols produced by upstream fermenting bacteria are converted to acetate, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide (substrates for downstream methanogenic archaea). To reveal genomic features that contribute to our understanding of the ecological niche and evolution of P. thermopropionicum, we sequenced its 3,025,375-bp genome and performed comparative analyses with genomes of other community members available in the databases. In the genome, 2920 coding sequences (CDSs) were identified. These CDSs showed a distinct distribution pattern in the functional categories of the Clusters of Orthologous Groups database, which is considered to reflect the niche of this organism. P. thermopropionicum has simple catabolic pathways, in which the propionate-oxidizing methylmalonyl-CoA pathway constitutes the backbone and is linked to several peripheral pathways. Genes for most of the important catabolic enzymes are physically linked to those for PAS-domain-containing regulators, suggesting that the catabolic pathways are regulated in response to environmental conditions and/or global cellular situations rather than specific substrates. Comparative analyses of codon usages revealed close evolutionary relationships between P. thermopropionicum and other niche members, while it was distant from phylogenetically related sugar-fermenting bacteria. These analyses suggest that P. thermopropionicum has evolved as a syntrophy specialist by interacting with niche-associated microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Kosaka
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Marine Biotechnology Institute, Kamaishi, Iwate 026-0001, Japan
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45
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Imachi H, Sakai S, Ohashi A, Harada H, Hanada S, Kamagata Y, Sekiguchi Y. Pelotomaculum propionicicum sp. nov., an anaerobic, mesophilic, obligately syntrophic, propionate-oxidizing bacterium. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2007; 57:1487-1492. [PMID: 17625181 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.64925-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An anaerobic, mesophilic, syntrophic, propionate-oxidizing bacterium, strain MGP(T), was isolated as a defined co-culture with Methanospirillum hungatei from the methanogenic sludge of a mesophilic upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. The strain grew in the presence of propionate, but only in co-culture with methanogens, suggesting that it is an obligately syntrophic bacterium. The optimum temperature for growth was 37 degrees C, and the optimum pH was between 6.5 and 7.2. Based on comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain MGP(T) was affiliated with subcluster Ih of 'Desulfotomaculum cluster I', in which it was found to be moderately related to known species of the genera Pelotomaculum and Cryptanaerobacter. Similar to known species of the genus Pelotomaculum, strain MGP(T) could degrade propionate in syntrophy, but had no ability to reduce sulfate, sulfite and thiosulfate. Further phenotypic and genetic studies supported the affiliation of the strain as a novel species in this genus, for which the name Pelotomaculum propionicicum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MGP(T) (=DSM 15578(T)=JCM 11929(T)). The strain has been deposited in the DSM and JCM culture collections as a defined co-culture with Methanospirillum hungatei.
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MESH Headings
- Anaerobiosis
- Bacterial Typing Techniques
- Coculture Techniques
- DNA, Bacterial/chemistry
- DNA, Bacterial/genetics
- DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry
- DNA, Ribosomal/genetics
- Genes, rRNA
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Methanospirillum/growth & development
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Oxidation-Reduction
- Peptococcaceae/classification
- Peptococcaceae/genetics
- Peptococcaceae/isolation & purification
- Peptococcaceae/metabolism
- Phylogeny
- Propionates/metabolism
- RNA, Bacterial/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
- Sewage/microbiology
- Sulfates/metabolism
- Sulfites/metabolism
- Temperature
- Thiosulfates/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Imachi
- Subground Animalcule Retrieval (SUGAR) Program, Extremobiosphere Research Center, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science & Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Kanagawa 237-0061, Japan
- Department of Environmental Systems Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
| | - Sanae Sakai
- Department of Environmental Systems Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Ohashi
- Department of Environmental Systems Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
| | - Hideki Harada
- Department of Civil Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
- Department of Environmental Systems Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
| | - Satoshi Hanada
- Institute for Biological Resources and Functions, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kamagata
- Research Institute of Genome-Based Biofactory, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Sapporo, Hokkaido 062-8517, Japan
- Institute for Biological Resources and Functions, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
- Department of Environmental Systems Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
| | - Yuji Sekiguchi
- Institute for Biological Resources and Functions, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
- Department of Environmental Systems Engineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Niigata 940-2188, Japan
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46
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Y Galperin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.
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47
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Narihiro T, Sekiguchi Y. Microbial communities in anaerobic digestion processes for waste and wastewater treatment: a microbiological update. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2007; 18:273-8. [PMID: 17462878 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2007.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2006] [Revised: 03/20/2007] [Accepted: 04/17/2007] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion technology is the biological treatment of organic waste and wastewater without input of external electron acceptors (oxygen), offering the potential to reduce treatment cost and to produce energy as 'biogas' (methane) from organic waste. The technology has become enormously popular in the past two decades, and knowledge of microbiological aspects of the technology has also accumulated significantly. Major advances have been made in elucidating the diversity of yet-to-be cultured microbes in anaerobic digestion processes, and the cultivation of uncultured organisms is of great interest with regard to gaining insights into the function of these organisms. In addition, recent advances have been made in the development of microbial fuel cells as an alternative, direct energy-yielding treatment system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Narihiro
- Bio-Measurement Research Group, Institute for Biological Resources and Functions, National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology (AIST), AIST Tsukuba Central 6, Ibaraki 305-8566, Japan
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Shimoyama T, Rajashekhara E, Ohmori D, Kosaka T, Watanabe K. MmcBC in Pelotomaculum thermopropionicum represents a novel group of prokaryotic fumarases. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2007; 270:207-13. [PMID: 17319878 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2007.00665.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The overall amino-acid sequence of MmcBC in Pelotomaculum thermopropionicum was substantially homologous (33%) to fumarase A in Escherichia coli, although its possible subunit structure was different from known fumarases and it lacked the fumarate-lyase signature sequence. Here, MmcBC in E. coli is expressed and characterized. The purified enzyme catalyzed reversible conversion of fumarate to L-malate at an optimum temperature of 70 degrees C. Its molecular size was 64.2 kDa, indicating that it consisted of one MmcB and one MmcC. EPR spectra revealed that it had an oxygen-sensitive [4Fe-4S] cluster. We propose that MmcBC represents a novel group of prokaryotic fumarases.
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Rhee MS, Kim JW, Qian Y, Ingram LO, Shanmugam KT. Development of plasmid vector and electroporation condition for gene transfer in sporogenic lactic acid bacterium, Bacillus coagulans. Plasmid 2007; 58:13-22. [PMID: 17215040 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2006.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2006] [Revised: 11/16/2006] [Accepted: 11/20/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bacillus coagulans is a sporogenic lactic acid bacterium that ferments glucose and xylose, major components of plant biomass, a potential feedstock for cellulosic ethanol. The temperature and pH for optimum rate of growth of B. coagulans (50 to 55 degrees C, pH 5.0) are very similar to that of commercially developed fungal cellulases (50 degrees C; pH 4.8). Due to this match, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of cellulose to products by B. coagulans is expected to require less cellulase than needed if the SSF is conducted at a sub-optimal temperature, such as 30 degrees C, the optimum for yeast, the main biocatalyst used by the ethanol industry. To fully exploit B. coagulans as a platform organism, we have developed an electroporation method to transfer plasmid DNA into this genetically recalcitrant bacterium. We also constructed a B. coagulans/E. coli shuttle vector, plasmid pMSR10 that contains the rep region from a native plasmid (pMSR0) present in B. coagulans strain P4-102B. The native plasmid, pMSR0 (6823bp), has 9 ORFs, and replicates by rolling-circle mode of replication. Plasmid pNW33N, developed for Geobacillus stearothermophilus, was also transformed into this host and stably maintained while several other Bacillus/Escherichia coli shuttle vector plasmids were not transformed into B. coagulans. The transformation efficiency of B. coagulans strain P4-102B using the plasmids pNW33N or pMSR10 was about 1.5x10(16) per mole of DNA. The availability of shuttle vectors and an electroporation method is expected to aid in genetic and metabolic engineering of B. coagulans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mun Su Rhee
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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