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Wissink M, Glodowska M, van der Kolk MR, Jetten MSM, Welte CU. Probing Denitrifying Anaerobic Methane Oxidation via Antimicrobial Intervention: Implications for Innovative Wastewater Management. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:6250-6257. [PMID: 38551595 PMCID: PMC11008094 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Methane emissions present a significant environmental challenge in both natural and engineered aquatic environments. Denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (N-DAMO) has the potential for application in wastewater treatment plants. However, our understanding of the N-DAMO process is primarily based on studies conducted on environmental samples or enrichment cultures using metagenomic approaches. To gain deeper insights into N-DAMO, we used antimicrobial compounds to study the function and physiology of 'Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens' and 'Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera' in N-DAMO enrichment cultures. We explored the effects of inhibitors and antibiotics and investigated the potential application of N-DAMO in wastewater contaminated with ammonium and heavy metals. Our results showed that 'Ca. M. nitroreducens' was susceptible to puromycin and 2-bromoethanesulfonate, while the novel methanogen inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol had no effect on N-DAMO. Furthermore, 'Ca. M. oxyfera' was shown to be susceptible to the particulate methane monooxygenase inhibitor 1,7-octadiyne and a bacteria-suppressing antibiotic cocktail. The N-DAMO activity was not affected by ammonium concentrations below 10 mM. Finally, the N-DAMO community appeared to be remarkably resistant to lead (Pb) but susceptible to nickel (Ni) and cadmium (Cd). This study provides insights into microbial functions in N-DAMO communities, facilitating further investigation of their application in methanogenic, nitrogen-polluted water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn Wissink
- Department
of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental
Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martyna Glodowska
- Department
of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental
Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marnix R. van der Kolk
- Synthetic
Organic Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S. M. Jetten
- Department
of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental
Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U. Welte
- Department
of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental
Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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2
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Egas RA, Kurth JM, Boeren S, Sousa DZ, Welte CU, Sánchez-Andrea I. A novel mechanism for dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium in Acididesulfobacillus acetoxydans. mSystems 2024; 9:e0096723. [PMID: 38323850 PMCID: PMC10949509 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00967-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The biological route of nitrate reduction has important implications for the bioavailability of nitrogen within ecosystems. Nitrate reduction via nitrite, either to ammonium (ammonification) or to nitrous oxide or dinitrogen (denitrification), determines whether nitrogen is retained within the system or lost as a gas. The acidophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium (aSRB) Acididesulfobacillus acetoxydans can perform dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). While encoding a Nar-type nitrate reductase, A. acetoxydans lacks recognized nitrite reductase genes. In this study, A. acetoxydans was cultivated under conditions conducive to DNRA. During cultivations, we monitored the production of potential nitrogen intermediates (nitrate, nitrite, nitric oxide, hydroxylamine, and ammonium). Resting cell experiments were performed with nitrate, nitrite, and hydroxylamine to confirm their reduction to ammonium, and formed intermediates were tracked. To identify the enzymes involved in DNRA, comparative transcriptomics and proteomics were performed with A. acetoxydans growing under nitrate- and sulfate-reducing conditions. Nitrite is likely reduced to ammonia by the previously undescribed nitrite reductase activity of the NADH-linked sulfite reductase AsrABC, or by a putatively ferredoxin-dependent homolog of the nitrite reductase NirA (DEACI_1836), or both. We identified enzymes and intermediates not previously associated with DNRA and nitrosative stress in aSRB. This increases our knowledge about the metabolism of this type of bacteria and helps the interpretation of (meta)genome data from various ecosystems on their DNRA potential and the nitrogen cycle.IMPORTANCENitrogen is crucial to any ecosystem, and its bioavailability depends on microbial nitrogen-transforming reactions. Over the recent years, various new nitrogen-transforming reactions and pathways have been identified, expanding our view on the nitrogen cycle and metabolic versatility. In this study, we elucidate a novel mechanism employed by Acididesulfobacillus acetoxydans, an acidophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium, to reduce nitrate to ammonium. This finding underscores the diverse physiological nature of dissimilatory reduction to ammonium (DNRA). A. acetoxydans was isolated from acid mine drainage, an extremely acidic environment where nitrogen metabolism is poorly studied. Our findings will contribute to understanding DNRA potential and variations in extremely acidic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinier A. Egas
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Julia M. Kurth
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Microcosm Earth Centre, Philipps-Universität Marburg & Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sjef Boeren
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Diana Z. Sousa
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Centre for Living Technologies, Alliance TU/e, WUR, UU, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U. Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Irene Sánchez-Andrea
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Sciences for Sustainability, IE University, Segovia, Spain
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3
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Ouboter HT, Mesman R, Sleutels T, Postma J, Wissink M, Jetten MSM, Ter Heijne A, Berben T, Welte CU. Mechanisms of extracellular electron transfer in anaerobic methanotrophic archaea. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1477. [PMID: 38368447 PMCID: PMC10874420 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45758-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Anaerobic methanotrophic (ANME) archaea are environmentally important, uncultivated microorganisms that oxidize the potent greenhouse gas methane. During methane oxidation, ANME archaea engage in extracellular electron transfer (EET) with other microbes, metal oxides, and electrodes through unclear mechanisms. Here, we cultivate ANME-2d archaea ('Ca. Methanoperedens') in bioelectrochemical systems and observe strong methane-dependent current (91-93% of total current) associated with high enrichment of 'Ca. Methanoperedens' on the anode (up to 82% of the community), as determined by metagenomics and transmission electron microscopy. Electrochemical and metatranscriptomic analyses suggest that the EET mechanism is similar at various electrode potentials, with the possible involvement of an uncharacterized short-range electron transport protein complex and OmcZ nanowires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen T Ouboter
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Mesman
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Sleutels
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911, MA, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle Postma
- Department of General Instrumentation, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn Wissink
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek Ter Heijne
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Berben
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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4
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Müller MC, Lemaire ON, Kurth JM, Welte CU, Wagner T. Differences in regulation mechanisms of glutamine synthetases from methanogenic archaea unveiled by structural investigations. Commun Biol 2024; 7:111. [PMID: 38243071 PMCID: PMC10799026 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05726-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamine synthetases (GS) catalyze the ATP-dependent ammonium assimilation, the initial step of nitrogen acquisition that must be under tight control to fit cellular needs. While their catalytic mechanisms and regulations are well-characterized in bacteria and eukaryotes, only limited knowledge exists in archaea. Here, we solved two archaeal GS structures and unveiled unexpected differences in their regulatory mechanisms. GS from Methanothermococcus thermolithotrophicus is inactive in its resting state and switched on by 2-oxoglutarate, a sensor of cellular nitrogen deficiency. The enzyme activation overlays remarkably well with the reported cellular concentration for 2-oxoglutarate. Its binding to an allosteric pocket reconfigures the active site through long-range conformational changes. The homolog from Methermicoccus shengliensis does not harbor the 2-oxoglutarate binding motif and, consequently, is 2-oxoglutarate insensitive. Instead, it is directly feedback-inhibited through glutamine recognition by the catalytic Asp50'-loop, a mechanism common to bacterial homologs, but absent in M. thermolithotrophicus due to residue substitution. Analyses of residue conservation in archaeal GS suggest that both regulations are widespread and not mutually exclusive. While the effectors and their binding sites are surprisingly different, the molecular mechanisms underlying their mode of action on GS activity operate on the same molecular determinants in the active site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Caroline Müller
- Microbial Metabolism Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Olivier N Lemaire
- Microbial Metabolism Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Julia M Kurth
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Microcosm Earth Center, Philipps-University Marburg and Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 4, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tristan Wagner
- Microbial Metabolism Research Group, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany.
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5
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Rogowska-van der Molen MA, Berasategui-Lopez A, Coolen S, Jansen RS, Welte CU. Microbial degradation of plant toxins. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2988-3010. [PMID: 37718389 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Plants produce a variety of secondary metabolites in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Although they have many functions, a subclass of toxic secondary metabolites mainly serve plants as deterring agents against herbivores, insects, or pathogens. Microorganisms present in divergent ecological niches, such as soil, water, or insect and rumen gut systems have been found capable of detoxifying these metabolites. As a result of detoxification, microbes gain growth nutrients and benefit their herbivory host via detoxifying symbiosis. Here, we review current knowledge on microbial degradation of toxic alkaloids, glucosinolates, terpenes, and polyphenols with an emphasis on the genes and enzymes involved in breakdown pathways. We highlight that the insect-associated microbes might find application in biotechnology and become targets for an alternative microbial pest control strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda A Rogowska-van der Molen
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Aileen Berasategui-Lopez
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Section Ecology and Evolution, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Silvia Coolen
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert S Jansen
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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6
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Pelsma KAJ, van Helmond NAGM, Lenstra WK, Röckmann T, Jetten MSM, Slomp CP, Welte CU. Anaerobic methanotrophy is stimulated by graphene oxide in a brackish urban canal sediment. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:3104-3115. [PMID: 37679859 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities are influencing aquatic environments through increased chemical pollution and thus are greatly affecting the biogeochemical cycling of elements. This has increased greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, from lakes, wetlands, and canals. Most of the methane produced in anoxic sediments is converted into carbon dioxide by methanotrophs before it reaches the atmosphere. Anaerobic oxidation of methane requires an electron acceptor such as sulphate, nitrate, or metal oxides. Here, we explore the anaerobic methanotrophy in sediments of three urban canals in Amsterdam, covering a gradient from freshwater to brackish conditions. Biogeochemical analysis showed the presence of a shallow sulphate-methane transition zone in sediments of the most brackish canal, suggesting that sulphate could be a relevant electron acceptor for anaerobic methanotrophy in this setting. However, sediment incubations amended with sulphate or iron oxides (ferrihydrite) did not lead to detectable rates of methanotrophy. Despite the presence of known nitrate-dependent anaerobic methanotrophs (Methanoperedenaceae), no nitrate-driven methanotrophy was observed in any of the investigated sediments either. Interestingly, graphene oxide stimulated anaerobic methanotrophy in incubations of brackish canal sediment, possibly catalysed by anaerobic methanotrophs of the ANME-2a/b clade. We propose that natural organic matter serving as electron acceptor drives anaerobic methanotrophy in brackish sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen A J Pelsma
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Niels A G M van Helmond
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wytze K Lenstra
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Röckmann
- Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Sahin S, Lemaire ON, Belhamri M, Kurth JM, Welte CU, Wagner T, Milton RD. Bioelectrocatalytic CO 2 Reduction by Mo-Dependent Formylmethanofuran Dehydrogenase. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202311981. [PMID: 37712590 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202311981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Massive efforts are invested in developing innovative CO2 -sequestration strategies to counter climate change and transform CO2 into higher-value products. CO2 -capture by reduction is a chemical challenge, and attention is turned toward biological systems that selectively and efficiently catalyse this reaction under mild conditions and in aqueous solvents. While a few reports have evaluated the effectiveness of isolated bacterial formate dehydrogenases as catalysts for the reversible electrochemical reduction of CO2 , it is imperative to explore other enzymes among the natural reservoir of potential models that might exhibit higher turnover rates or preferential directionality for the reductive reaction. Here, we present electroenzymatic catalysis of formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase, a CO2 -reducing-and-fixing biomachinery isolated from a thermophilic methanogen, which was deposited on a graphite rod electrode to enable direct electron transfer for electroenzymatic CO2 reduction. The gas is reduced with a high Faradaic efficiency (109±1 %), where a low affinity for formate prevents its electrochemical reoxidation and favours formate accumulation. These properties make the enzyme an excellent tool for electroenzymatic CO2 -fixation and inspiration for protein engineering that would be beneficial for biotechnological purposes to convert the greenhouse gas into stable formate that can subsequently be safely stored, transported, and used for power generation without energy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selmihan Sahin
- University of Geneva, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Sciences II, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Suleyman Demirel University, Cunur, 32260, Isparta, Turkiye
| | - Olivier N Lemaire
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Mélissa Belhamri
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Julia M Kurth
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Microcosm Earth Center - Philipps-Universität Marburg & Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 4, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tristan Wagner
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Ross D Milton
- University of Geneva, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Sciences II, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
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Pelsma KAJ, Verhagen DAM, Dean JF, Jetten MSM, Welte CU. Methanotrophic potential of Dutch canal wall biofilms is driven by Methylomonadaceae. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad110. [PMID: 37698884 PMCID: PMC10561707 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Global urbanization of waterways over the past millennium has influenced microbial communities in these aquatic ecosystems. Increased nutrient inputs have turned most urban waters into net sources of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Here, canal walls of five Dutch cities were studied for their biofilm CH4 oxidation potential, alongside field observations of water chemistry, and CO2 and CH4 emissions. Three cities showed canal wall biofilms with relatively high biological CH4 oxidation potential up to 0.48 mmol gDW-1 d-1, whereas the other two cities showed no oxidation potential. Salinity was identified as the main driver of biofilm bacterial community composition. Crenothrix and Methyloglobulus methanotrophs were observed in CH4-oxidizing biofilms. We show that microbial oxidation in canal biofilms is widespread and is likely driven by the same taxa found across cities with distinctly different canal water chemistry. The oxidation potential of the biofilms was not correlated with the amount of CH4 emitted but was related to the presence or absence of methanotrophs in the biofilms. This was controlled by whether there was enough CH4 present to sustain a methanotrophic community. These results demonstrate that canal wall biofilms can directly contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse gases from urban canals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen A J Pelsma
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Daniël A M Verhagen
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joshua F Dean
- School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, United Kingdom
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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9
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Ouboter HT, Arshad A, Berger S, Saucedo Sanchez JG, Op den Camp HJM, Jetten MSM, Welte CU, Kurth JM. Acetate and Acetyl-CoA Metabolism of ANME-2 Anaerobic Archaeal Methanotrophs. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0036723. [PMID: 37272802 PMCID: PMC10304654 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00367-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) and acetate ligase (ACD) are widespread among microorganisms, including archaea, and play an important role in their carbon metabolism, although only a few of these enzymes have been characterized. Anaerobic methanotrophs (ANMEs) have been reported to convert methane anaerobically into CO2, polyhydroxyalkanoate, and acetate. Furthermore, it has been suggested that they might be able to use acetate for anabolism or aceticlastic methanogenesis. To better understand the potential acetate metabolism of ANMEs, we characterized an ACS from ANME-2a as well as an ACS and an ACD from ANME-2d. The conversion of acetate into acetyl-CoA (Vmax of 8.4 μmol mg-1 min-1 and Km of 0.7 mM acetate) by the monomeric 73.8-kDa ACS enzyme from ANME-2a was more favorable than the formation of acetate from acetyl-CoA (Vmax of 0.4 μmol mg-1 min-1 and Km of 0.2 mM acetyl-CoA). The monomeric 73.4-kDa ACS enzyme from ANME-2d had similar Vmax values for both directions (Vmax,acetate of 0.9 μmol mg-1 min-1 versus Vmax,acetyl-CoA of 0.3 μmol mg-1 min-1). The heterotetrameric ACD enzyme from ANME-2d was active solely in the acetate-producing direction. Batch incubations of an enrichment culture dominated by ANME-2d fed with 13C2-labeled acetate produced 3 μmol of [13C]methane in 7 days, suggesting that this anaerobic methanotroph might have the potential to reverse its metabolism and perform aceticlastic methanogenesis using ACS to activate acetate albeit at low rates (2 nmol g [dry weight]-1 min-1). Together, these results show that ANMEs may have the potential to use acetate for assimilation as well as to use part of the surplus acetate for methane production. IMPORTANCE Acetyl-CoA plays a key role in carbon metabolism and is found at the junction of many anabolic and catabolic reactions. This work describes the biochemical properties of ACS and ACD enzymes from ANME-2 archaea. This adds to our knowledge of archaeal ACS and ACD enzymes, only a few of which have been characterized to date. Furthermore, we validated the in situ activity of ACS in ANME-2d, showing the conversion of acetate into methane by an enrichment culture dominated by ANME-2d.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen T. Ouboter
- Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Microbiology Cluster, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Arslan Arshad
- Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Microbiology Cluster, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Berger
- Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Microbiology Cluster, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jesus Gerardo Saucedo Sanchez
- Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Microbiology Cluster, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Huub J. M. Op den Camp
- Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Microbiology Cluster, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Mike S. M. Jetten
- Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Microbiology Cluster, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U. Welte
- Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Microbiology Cluster, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Julia M. Kurth
- Radboud Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Microbiology Cluster, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Microcosm Earth Center, Philipps-Universität Marburg and Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
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Rios-Miguel AB, Jhm van Bergen T, Zillien C, Mj Ragas A, van Zelm R, Sm Jetten M, Jan Hendriks A, Welte CU. Predicting and improving the microbial removal of organic micropollutants during wastewater treatment: A review. Chemosphere 2023; 333:138908. [PMID: 37187378 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Organic micropollutants (OMPs) consist of widely used chemicals such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides that can persist in surface and groundwaters at low concentrations (ng/L to μg/L) for a long time. The presence of OMPs in water can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and threaten the quality of drinking water sources. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) rely on microorganisms to remove major nutrients from water, but their effectiveness at removing OMPs varies. Low removal efficiency might be the result of low concentrations, inherent stable chemical structures of OMPs, or suboptimal conditions in WWTPs. In this review, we discuss these factors, with special emphasis on the ongoing adaptation of microorganisms to degrade OMPs. Finally, recommendations are drawn to improve the prediction of OMP removal in WWTPs and to optimize the design of new microbial treatment strategies. OMP removal seems to be concentration-, compound-, and process-dependent, which poses a great complexity to develop accurate prediction models and effective microbial processes targeting all OMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B Rios-Miguel
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Tamara Jhm van Bergen
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Caterina Zillien
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ad Mj Ragas
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rosalie van Zelm
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mike Sm Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - A Jan Hendriks
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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11
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Glodowska M, Ma Y, Smith G, Kappler A, Jetten M, Welte CU. Nitrate leaching and its implication for Fe and As mobility in a Southeast Asian aquifer. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad025. [PMID: 36918194 PMCID: PMC10038221 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The drinking water quality in Southeast Asia is at risk due to arsenic (As) groundwater contamination. Intensive use of fertilizers may lead to nitrate (NO3-) leaching into aquifers, yet very little is known about its effect on iron (Fe) and As mobility in water. We ran a set of microcosm experiments using aquifer sediment from Vietnam supplemented with 15NO3- and 13CH4. To assess the effect of nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (N-DAMO) we also inoculated the sediment with two different N-DAMO enrichment cultures. We found that native microorganisms and both N-DAMO enrichments could efficiently consume all NO3- in 5 days. However, CH4 oxidation was observed only in the inoculated microcosms, suggesting that the native microbial community did not perform N-DAMO. In uninoculated microcosms, NO3- was preferentially used over Fe(III) as an electron acceptor and consequently inhibited Fe(III) reduction and As mobilization. The addition of N-DAMO enrichment cultures led to Fe(III) reduction and stimulated As and Mn release into the water. The archaeal community in all treatments was dominated by Ca. Methanoperedens while the bacterial community consisted of various denitrifiers. Our results suggest that input of N fertilizers to the aquifer decreases As mobility and that CH4 cannot serve as an electron donor for NO3- reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Glodowska
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, 6525, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Yinxiao Ma
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, 6525, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Garrett Smith
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, 6525, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Andreas Kappler
- Geomicrobiology, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mike Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, 6525, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, 6525, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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12
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Han P, Rios-Miguel AB, Tang X, Yu Y, Zhou LJ, Hou L, Liu M, Sun D, Jetten MSM, Welte CU, Men Y, Lücker S. Benzimidazole fungicide biotransformation by comammox Nitrospira bacteria: Transformation pathways and associated proteomic responses. J Hazard Mater 2023; 445:130558. [PMID: 36495641 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Benzimidazole fungicides are frequently detected in aquatic environments and pose a serious health risk. Here, we investigated the metabolic capacity of the recently discovered complete ammonia-oxidizing (comammox) Nitrospira inopinata and kreftii to transform a representative set of benzimidazole fungicides (i.e., benzimidazole, albendazole, carbendazim, fuberidazole, and thiabendazole). Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea, as well as the canonical nitrite-oxidizing Nitrospira exhibited no or minor biotransformation activity towards all the five benzimidazole fungicides. In contrast, the investigated comammox bacteria actively transformed all the five benzimidazole fungicides, except for thiabendazole. The identified transformation products indicated hydroxylation, S-oxidation, and glycosylation as the major biotransformation pathways of benzimidazole fungicides. We speculated that these reactions were catalyzed by comammox-specific ammonia monooxygenase, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, and glycosylases, respectively. Interestingly, the exposure to albendazole enhanced the expression of the antibiotic resistance gene acrB of Nitrospira inopinata, suggesting that some benzimidazole fungicides could act as environmental stressors that trigger cellular defense mechanisms. Altogether, this study demonstrated the distinct substrate specificity of comammox bacteria towards benzimidazole fungicides and implies their significant roles in the biotransformation of these fungicides in nitrifying environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Han
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China; State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China; Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China.
| | - Ana B Rios-Miguel
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Xiufeng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yaochun Yu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
| | - Li-Jun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Lijun Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China; Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China; Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Dongyao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China; School of Geography Science and Geomatics Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Yujie Men
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, United States.
| | - Sebastian Lücker
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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13
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Legierse A, Struik Q, Smith G, Echeveste Medrano MJ, Weideveld S, van Dijk G, Smolders AJP, Jetten M, Veraart AJ, Welte CU, Glodowska M. Nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (N-DAMO) as a bioremediation strategy for waters affected by agricultural runoff. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2023; 370:fnad041. [PMID: 37170064 PMCID: PMC10214460 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnad041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Agricultural drainage ditches are subjected to high anthropogenic nitrogen input, leading to eutrophication and greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (N-DAMO) could be a promising remediation strategy to remove methane (CH4) and nitrate (NO3-) simultaneously. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the potential of N-DAMO to remove excess NO3- and decrease CH4 release from agricultural drainage ditches. Microcosm experiments were conducted using sediment and surface water collected from three different sites: a sandy-clay ditch (SCD), a freshwater-fed peatland ditch (FPD), and a brackish peatland ditch (BPD). The microcosms were inoculated with an N-DAMO enrichment culture dominated by Candidatus Methanoperedens and Candidatus Methylomirabilis and supplemented with 13CH4 and 15NO3-. A significant decrease in CH4 and NO3- concentration was only observed in the BPD sediment. In freshwater sediments (FPD and SCD), the effect of N-DAMO inoculation on CH4 and NO3- removal was negligible, likely because N-DAMO microorganisms were outcompeted by heterotrophic denitrifiers consuming NO3- much faster. Overall, our results suggest that bioaugmentation with N-DAMO might be a potential strategy for decreasing NO3- concentrations and CH4 emission in brackish ecosystems with increasing agricultural activities where the native microbial community is incapable of efficient denitrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Legierse
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Quinten Struik
- Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Garrett Smith
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Gijs van Dijk
- Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
- B-WARE Research Centre, Nijmegen 6525 ED, The Netherlands
| | - Alfons J P Smolders
- Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
- B-WARE Research Centre, Nijmegen 6525 ED, The Netherlands
| | - Mike Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies J Veraart
- Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Martyna Glodowska
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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14
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Rios-Miguel AB, Smith GJ, Cremers G, van Alen T, Jetten MS, Op den Camp HJ, Welte CU. Microbial paracetamol degradation involves a high diversity of novel amidase enzyme candidates. Water Res X 2022; 16:100152. [PMID: 36042984 PMCID: PMC9420511 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2022.100152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals are relatively new to nature and often not completely removed in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Consequently, these micropollutants end up in water bodies all around the world posing a great environmental risk. One exception to this recalcitrant conversion is paracetamol, whose full degradation has been linked to several microorganisms. However, the genes and corresponding proteins involved in microbial paracetamol degradation are still elusive. In order to improve our knowledge of the microbial paracetamol degradation pathway, we inoculated a bioreactor with sludge of a hospital WWTP (Pharmafilter, Delft, NL) and fed it with paracetamol as the sole carbon source. Paracetamol was fully degraded without any lag phase and the enriched microbial community was investigated by metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses, which demonstrated that the microbial community was very diverse. Dilution and plating on paracetamol-amended agar plates yielded two Pseudomonas sp. isolates: a fast-growing Pseudomonas sp. that degraded 200 mg/L of paracetamol in approximately 10 h while excreting 4-aminophenol, and a slow-growing Pseudomonas sp. that degraded paracetamol without obvious intermediates in more than 90 days. Each Pseudomonas sp. contained a different highly-expressed amidase (31% identity to each other). These amidase genes were not detected in the bioreactor metagenome suggesting that other as-yet uncharacterized amidases may be responsible for the first biodegradation step of paracetamol. Uncharacterized deaminase genes and genes encoding dioxygenase enzymes involved in the catabolism of aromatic compounds and amino acids were the most likely candidates responsible for the degradation of paracetamol intermediates based on their high expression levels in the bioreactor metagenome and the Pseudomonas spp. genomes. Furthermore, cross-feeding between different community members might have occurred to efficiently degrade paracetamol and its intermediates in the bioreactor. This study increases our knowledge about the ongoing microbial evolution towards biodegradation of pharmaceuticals and points to a large diversity of (amidase) enzymes that are likely involved in paracetamol metabolism in WWTPs.
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Key Words
- 4-AP, 4-aminophenol
- APAP, N-acetyl-p-aminophenol or paracetamol
- Amidase evolution
- Deaminase
- Dioxygenase
- GAC, granular activated carbon
- HGT, horizontal gene transfer
- HQ, hydroquinone
- HRT, hydraulic retention time
- MAG, metagenome-assembled genome
- MBR, membrane bioreactor
- Metagenomics
- Mobile genetic elements
- Pfast, Pseudomonas sp. isolate growing fast on APAP as sole carbon source
- Pseudomonas
- Pslow, Pseudomonas sp. isolate growing slow on APAP as sole carbon source
- SRT, solid retention time
- TPM, transcripts per million
- WWTP, wastewater treatment plant
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B. Rios-Miguel
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Garrett J. Smith
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Geert Cremers
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Theo van Alen
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Mike S.M. Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, the Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Huub J.M. Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U. Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, the Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen 6525 AJ, the Netherlands
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15
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Coolen S, van der Molen MR, Welte CU. The secret life of insect-associated microbes and how they shape insect-plant interactions. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2022; 98:6643329. [PMID: 35830517 PMCID: PMC9409087 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects are associated with a plethora of different microbes of which we are only starting to understand their role in shaping insect–plant interactions. Besides directly benefitting from symbiotic microbial metabolism, insects obtain and transmit microbes within their environment, making them ideal vectors and potential beneficiaries of plant diseases and microbes that alter plant defenses. To prevent damage, plants elicit stress-specific defenses to ward off insects and their microbiota. However, both insects and microbes harbor a wealth of adaptations that allow them to circumvent effective plant defense activation. In the past decades, it has become apparent that the enormous diversity and metabolic potential of insect-associated microbes may play a far more important role in shaping insect–plant interactions than previously anticipated. The latter may have implications for the development of sustainable pest control strategies. Therefore, this review sheds light on the current knowledge on multitrophic insect–microbe–plant interactions in a rapidly expanding field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Coolen
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Magda Rogowska- van der Molen
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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16
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Ouboter HT, Berben T, Berger S, Jetten MSM, Sleutels T, Ter Heijne A, Welte CU. Methane-Dependent Extracellular Electron Transfer at the Bioanode by the Anaerobic Archaeal Methanotroph " Candidatus Methanoperedens". Front Microbiol 2022; 13:820989. [PMID: 35495668 PMCID: PMC9039326 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.820989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaerobic methanotrophic (ANME) archaea have recently been reported to be capable of using insoluble extracellular electron acceptors via extracellular electron transfer (EET). In this study, we investigated EET by a microbial community dominated by "Candidatus Methanoperedens" archaea at the anode of a bioelectrochemical system (BES) poised at 0 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode (SHE), in this way measuring current as a direct proxy of EET by this community. After inoculation of the BES, the maximum current density was 274 mA m-2 (stable current up to 39 mA m-2). Concomitant conversion of 13CH4 into 13CO2 demonstrated that current production was methane-dependent, with 38% of the current attributed directly to methane supply. Based on the current production and methane uptake in a closed system, the Coulombic efficiency was about 17%. Polarization curves demonstrated that the current was limited by microbial activity at potentials above 0 V. The metatranscriptome of the inoculum was mined for the expression of c-type cytochromes potentially used for EET, which led to the identification of several multiheme c-type cytochrome-encoding genes among the most abundant transcripts in "Ca. Methanoperedens." Our study provides strong indications of EET in ANME archaea and describes a system in which ANME-mediated EET can be investigated under laboratory conditions, which provides new research opportunities for mechanistic studies and possibly the generation of axenic ANME cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heleen T Ouboter
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tom Berben
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Berger
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tom Sleutels
- Wetsus, European Center of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, Netherlands.,Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Cornelia U Welte
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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17
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Dalcin Martins P, Echeveste Medrano MJ, Arshad A, Kurth JM, Ouboter HT, Op den Camp HJM, Jetten MSM, Welte CU. Unraveling Nitrogen, Sulfur, and Carbon Metabolic Pathways and Microbial Community Transcriptional Responses to Substrate Deprivation and Toxicity Stresses in a Bioreactor Mimicking Anoxic Brackish Coastal Sediment Conditions. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:798906. [PMID: 35283857 PMCID: PMC8906906 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.798906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial communities are key drivers of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycling in coastal ecosystems, where they are subjected to dynamic shifts in substrate availability and exposure to toxic compounds. However, how these shifts affect microbial interactions and function is poorly understood. Unraveling such microbial community responses is key to understand their environmental distribution and resilience under current and future disturbances. Here, we used metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to investigate microbial community structure and transcriptional responses to prolonged ammonium deprivation, and sulfide and nitric oxide toxicity stresses in a controlled bioreactor system mimicking coastal sediment conditions. Ca. Nitrobium versatile, identified in this study as a sulfide-oxidizing denitrifier, became a rare community member upon ammonium removal. The ANaerobic Methanotroph (ANME) Ca. Methanoperedens nitroreducens showed remarkable resilience to both experimental conditions, dominating transcriptional activity of dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). During the ammonium removal experiment, increased DNRA was unable to sustain anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) activity. After ammonium was reintroduced, a novel anaerobic bacterial methanotroph species that we have named Ca. Methylomirabilis tolerans outcompeted Ca. Methylomirabilis lanthanidiphila, while the anammox Ca. Kuenenia stuttgartiensis outcompeted Ca. Scalindua rubra. At the end of the sulfide and nitric oxide experiment, a gammaproteobacterium affiliated to the family Thiohalobacteraceae was enriched and dominated transcriptional activity of sulfide:quinone oxidoreductases. Our results indicate that some community members could be more resilient to the tested experimental conditions than others, and that some community functions such as methane and sulfur oxidation coupled to denitrification can remain stable despite large shifts in microbial community structure. Further studies on complex bioreactor enrichments are required to elucidate coastal ecosystem responses to future disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Arslan Arshad
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Julia M Kurth
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Heleen T Ouboter
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, RIBES, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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18
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Abstract
Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas significantly contributing to the climate warming we are currently facing. Microorganisms play an important role in the global CH4 cycle that is controlled by the balance between anaerobic production via methanogenesis and CH4 removal via methanotrophic oxidation. Research in recent decades advanced our understanding of CH4 oxidation, which until 1976 was believed to be a strictly aerobic process. Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled to sulfate reduction is now known to be an important sink of CH4 in marine ecosystems. Furthermore, in 2006 it was discovered that anaerobic CH4 oxidation can also be coupled to nitrate reduction (N-DAMO), demonstrating that AOM may be much more versatile than previously thought and linked to other electron acceptors. In consequence, an increasing number of studies in recent years showed or suggested that alternative electron acceptors can be used in the AOM process including FeIII, MnIV, AsV, CrVI, SeVI, SbV, VV, and BrV. In addition, humic substances as well as biochar and perchlorate (ClO4-) were suggested to mediate AOM. Anaerobic methanotrophic archaea, the so-called ANME archaea, are key players in the AOM process, yet we are still lacking deeper understanding of their metabolism, electron acceptor preferences and their interaction with other microbial community members. It is still not clear whether ANME archaea can oxidize CH4 and reduce metallic electron acceptors independently or via electron transfer to syntrophic partners, interspecies electron transfer, nanowires or conductive pili. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the current state of knowledge about ANME archaea, focusing on their physiology, metabolic flexibility and potential to use various electron acceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Glodowska
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Julia M Kurth
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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19
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Pelsma KAJ, In 't Zandt MH, Op den Camp HJM, Jetten MSM, Dean JF, Welte CU. Amsterdam urban canals contain novel niches for methane-cycling microorganisms. Environ Microbiol 2021; 24:82-97. [PMID: 34863018 PMCID: PMC9299808 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Urbanised environments have been identified as hotspots of anthropogenic methane emissions. Especially urban aquatic ecosystems are increasingly recognised as important sources of methane. However, the microbiology behind these emissions remains unexplored. Here, we applied microcosm incubations and molecular analyses to investigate the methane‐cycling community of the Amsterdam canal system in the Netherlands. The sediment methanogenic communities were dominated by Methanoregulaceae and Methanosaetaceae, with co‐occurring methanotrophic Methanoperedenaceae and Methylomirabilaceae indicating the potential for anaerobic methane oxidation. Methane was readily produced after substrate amendment, suggesting an active but substrate‐limited methanogenic community. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the sediment revealed a high relative abundance of Thermodesulfovibrionia. Canal wall biofilms showed the highest initial methanotrophic potential under oxic conditions compared to the sediment. During prolonged incubations the maximum methanotrophic rate increased to 8.08 mmol gDW−1 d−1 that was concomitant with an enrichment of Methylomonadaceae bacteria. Metagenomic analysis of the canal wall biofilm lead to the recovery of a single methanotroph metagenome‐assembled genome. Taxonomic analysis showed that this methanotroph belongs to the genus Methyloglobulus. Our results underline the importance of previously unidentified and specialised environmental niches at the nexus of the natural and human‐impacted carbon cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen A J Pelsma
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, Utrecht, 3584 CS, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel H In 't Zandt
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, Utrecht, 3584 CS, The Netherlands
| | - Huub J M Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, Utrecht, 3584 CS, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Joshua F Dean
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GP, UK
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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20
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Dalcin Martins P, de Jong A, Lenstra WK, van Helmond NAGM, Slomp CP, Jetten MSM, Welte CU, Rasigraf O. Enrichment of novel Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes, and Krumholzibacteria in an oxygen-limited methane- and iron-fed bioreactor inoculated with Bothnian Sea sediments. Microbiologyopen 2021; 10:e1175. [PMID: 33650794 PMCID: PMC7914226 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial methane oxidation is a major biofilter preventing larger emissions of this powerful greenhouse gas from marine coastal areas into the atmosphere. In these zones, various electron acceptors such as sulfate, metal oxides, nitrate, or oxygen can be used. However, the key microbial players and mechanisms of methane oxidation are poorly understood. In this study, we inoculated a bioreactor with methane‐ and iron‐rich sediments from the Bothnian Sea to investigate microbial methane and iron cycling under low oxygen concentrations. Using metagenomics, we investigated shifts in microbial community composition after approximately 2.5 years of bioreactor operation. Marker genes for methane and iron cycling, as well as respiratory and fermentative metabolism, were identified and used to infer putative microbial metabolism. Metagenome‐assembled genomes representing novel Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes, and Krumholzibacteria were recovered and revealed a potential for methane oxidation, organic matter degradation, and iron cycling, respectively. This work brings new hypotheses on the identity and metabolic versatility of microorganisms that may be members of such functional guilds in coastal marine sediments and highlights that microorganisms potentially composing the methane biofilter in these sediments may be more diverse than previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Dalcin Martins
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology (SIAM), Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anniek de Jong
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wytze K Lenstra
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Niels A G M van Helmond
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline P Slomp
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology (SIAM), Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology (SIAM), Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Olivia Rasigraf
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Centre (NESSC), Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Geomicrobiology, German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Potsdam, Germany
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21
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Rios‐Miguel AB, Jetten MSM, Welte CU. Effect of concentration and hydraulic reaction time on the removal of pharmaceutical compounds in a membrane bioreactor inoculated with activated sludge. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:1707-1721. [PMID: 34132479 PMCID: PMC8313272 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals are often not fully removed in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and are thus being detected at trace levels in water bodies all over the world posing a risk to numerous organisms. These organic micropollutants (OMPs) reach WWTPs at concentrations sometimes too low to serve as growth substrate for microorganisms; thus, co-metabolism is thought to be the main conversion mechanism. In this study, the microbial removal of six pharmaceuticals was investigated in a membrane bioreactor at increasing concentrations (4-800 nM) of the compounds and using three different hydraulic retention times (HRT; 1, 3.5 and 5 days). The bioreactor was inoculated with activated sludge from a municipal WWTP and fed with ammonium, acetate and methanol as main growth substrates to mimic co-metabolism. Each pharmaceutical had a different average removal efficiency: acetaminophen (100%) > fluoxetine (50%) > metoprolol (25%) > diclofenac (20%) > metformin (15%) > carbamazepine (10%). Higher pharmaceutical influent concentrations proportionally increased the removal rate of each compound, but surprisingly not the removal percentage. Furthermore, only metformin removal improved to 80-100% when HRT or biomass concentration was increased. Microbial community changes were followed with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing in response to the increment of pharmaceutical concentration: Nitrospirae and Planctomycetes 16S rRNA relative gene abundance decreased, whereas Acidobacteria and Bacteroidetes increased. Remarkably, the Dokdonella genus, previously implicated in acetaminophen metabolism, showed a 30-fold increase in abundance at the highest concentration of pharmaceuticals applied. Taken together, these results suggest that the incomplete removal of most pharmaceutical compounds in WWTPs is dependent on neither concentration nor reaction time. Accordingly, we propose a chemical equilibrium or a growth substrate limitation as the responsible mechanisms of the incomplete removal. Finally, Dokdonella could be the main acetaminophen degrader under activated sludge conditions, and non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals might still be toxic to relevant WWTP bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B. Rios‐Miguel
- Department of MicrobiologyInstitute for Water and Wetland ResearchRadboud UniversityHeyendaalseweg 135Nijmegen6525 AJThe Netherlands
| | - Mike S. M. Jetten
- Department of MicrobiologyInstitute for Water and Wetland ResearchRadboud UniversityHeyendaalseweg 135Nijmegen6525 AJThe Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic MicrobiologyRadboud UniversityHeyendaalseweg 135Nijmegen6525 AJThe Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U. Welte
- Department of MicrobiologyInstitute for Water and Wetland ResearchRadboud UniversityHeyendaalseweg 135Nijmegen6525 AJThe Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic MicrobiologyRadboud UniversityHeyendaalseweg 135Nijmegen6525 AJThe Netherlands
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22
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Berger S, Shaw DR, Berben T, Ouboter HT, In 't Zandt MH, Frank J, Reimann J, Jetten MSM, Welte CU. Current production by non-methanotrophic bacteria enriched from an anaerobic methane-oxidizing microbial community. Biofilm 2021; 3:100054. [PMID: 34308332 PMCID: PMC8258643 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2021.100054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the externalization of electrons as part of respiratory metabolic processes has been discovered in many different bacteria and some archaea. Microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) plays an important role in many anoxic natural or engineered ecosystems. In this study, an anaerobic methane-converting microbial community was investigated with regard to its potential to perform EET. At this point, it is not well-known if or how EET confers a competitive advantage to certain species in methane-converting communities. EET was investigated in a two-chamber electrochemical system, sparged with methane and with an applied potential of +400 mV versus standard hydrogen electrode. A biofilm developed on the working electrode and stable low-density current was produced, confirming that EET indeed did occur. The appearance and presence of redox centers at −140 to −160 mV and at −230 mV in the biofilm was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry scans. Metagenomic analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization of the biofilm showed that the anaerobic methanotroph ‘Candidatus Methanoperedens BLZ2’ was a significant member of the biofilm community, but its relative abundance did not increase compared to the inoculum. On the contrary, the relative abundance of other members of the microbial community significantly increased (up to 720-fold, 7.2% of mapped reads), placing these microorganisms among the dominant species in the bioanode community. This group included Zoogloea sp., Dechloromonas sp., two members of the Bacteroidetes phylum, and the spirochete Leptonema sp. Genes encoding proteins putatively involved in EET were identified in Zoogloea sp., Dechloromonas sp. and one member of the Bacteroidetes phylum. We suggest that instead of methane, alternative carbon sources such as acetate were the substrate for EET. Hence, EET in a methane-driven chemolithoautotrophic microbial community seems a complex process in which interactions within the microbial community are driving extracellular electron transfer to the electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Berger
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - D R Shaw
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - T Berben
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - H T Ouboter
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M H In 't Zandt
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - J Frank
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - J Reimann
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M S M Jetten
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - C U Welte
- Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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23
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Welte CU, de Graaf R, Dalcin Martins P, Jansen RS, Jetten MSM, Kurth JM. A novel methoxydotrophic metabolism discovered in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:4017-4033. [PMID: 33913565 PMCID: PMC8359953 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Methoxylated aromatic compounds (MACs) are important components of lignin found in significant amounts in the subsurface. Recently, the methanogenic archaeon Methermicoccus shengliensis was shown to be able to use a variety of MACs during methoxydotrophic growth. After a molecular survey, we found that the hyperthermophilic non‐methanogenic archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus also encodes genes for a bacterial‐like demethoxylation system. In this study, we performed growth and metabolite analysis, and used transcriptomics to investigate the response of A. fulgidus during growth on MACs in comparison to growth on lactate. We observed that A. fulgidus converts MACs to their hydroxylated derivatives with CO2 as the main product and sulfate as electron acceptor. Furthermore, we could show that MACs improve the growth of A. fulgidus in the presence of organic substrates such as lactate. We also found evidence that other archaea such as Bathyarchaeota, Lokiarchaeota, Verstraetearchaeota, Korarchaeota, Helarchaeota and Nezhaarchaeota encode a demethoxylation system. In summary, we here describe the first non‐methanogenic archaeon with the ability to grow on MACs indicating that methoxydotrophic archaea might play a so far underestimated role in the global carbon cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, Utrecht, 3584 CS, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Rob de Graaf
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Paula Dalcin Martins
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Robert S Jansen
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, Utrecht, 3584 CS, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Julia M Kurth
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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24
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Rios Miguel AB, Jetten MS, Welte CU. The role of mobile genetic elements in organic micropollutant degradation during biological wastewater treatment. Water Res X 2020; 9:100065. [PMID: 32984801 PMCID: PMC7494797 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2020.100065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are crucial for producing clean effluents from polluting sources such as hospitals, industries, and municipalities. In recent decades, many new organic compounds have ended up in surface waters in concentrations that, while very low, cause (chronic) toxicity to countless organisms. These organic micropollutants (OMPs) are usually quite recalcitrant and not sufficiently removed during wastewater treatment. Microbial degradation plays a pivotal role in OMP conversion. Microorganisms can adapt their metabolism to the use of novel molecules via mutations and rearrangements of existing genes in new clusters. Many catabolic genes have been found adjacent to mobile genetic elements (MGEs), which provide a stable scaffold to host new catabolic pathways and spread these genes in the microbial community. These mobile systems could be engineered to enhance OMP degradation in WWTPs, and this review aims to summarize and better understand the role that MGEs might play in the degradation and wastewater treatment process. Available data about the presence of catabolic MGEs in WWTPs are reviewed, and current methods used to identify and measure MGEs in environmental samples are critically evaluated. Finally, examples of how these MGEs could be used to improve micropollutant degradation in WWTPs are outlined. In the near future, advances in the use of MGEs will hopefully enable us to apply selective augmentation strategies to improve OMP conversion in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B. Rios Miguel
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525, AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mike S.M. Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525, AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525, AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U. Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525, AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525, AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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25
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Berger S, Cabrera-Orefice A, Jetten MSM, Brandt U, Welte CU. Investigation of central energy metabolism-related protein complexes of ANME-2d methanotrophic archaea by complexome profiling. Biochim Biophys Acta Bioenerg 2020; 1862:148308. [PMID: 33002447 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2020.148308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The anaerobic oxidation of methane is important for mitigating emissions of this potent greenhouse gas to the atmosphere and is mediated by anaerobic methanotrophic archaea. In a 'Candidatus Methanoperedens BLZ2' enrichment culture used in this study, methane is oxidized to CO2 with nitrate being the terminal electron acceptor of an anaerobic respiratory chain. Energy conservation mechanisms of anaerobic methanotrophs have mostly been studied at metagenomic level and hardly any protein data is available at this point. To close this gap, we used complexome profiling to investigate the presence and subunit composition of protein complexes involved in energy conservation processes. All enzyme complexes and their subunit composition involved in reverse methanogenesis were identified. The membrane-bound enzymes of the respiratory chain, such as F420H2:quinone oxidoreductase, membrane-bound heterodisulfide reductase, nitrate reductases and Rieske cytochrome bc1 complex were all detected. Additional or putative subunits such as an octaheme subunit as part of the Rieske cytochrome bc1 complex were discovered that will be interesting targets for future studies. Furthermore, several soluble proteins were identified, which are potentially involved in oxidation of reduced ferredoxin produced during reverse methanogenesis leading to formation of small organic molecules. Taken together these findings provide an updated, refined picture of the energy metabolism of the environmentally important group of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Berger
- Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Alfredo Cabrera-Orefice
- Molecular Bioenergetics Group, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert-Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Ulrich Brandt
- Molecular Bioenergetics Group, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert-Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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in 't Zandt MH, Frank J, Yilmaz P, Cremers G, Jetten MSM, Welte CU. Long-term enriched methanogenic communities from thermokarst lake sediments show species-specific responses to warming. FEMS Microbes 2020; 1:xtaa008. [PMID: 37333957 PMCID: PMC10117432 DOI: 10.1093/femsmc/xtaa008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Thermokarst lakes are large potential greenhouse gas (GHG) sources in a changing Arctic. In a warming world, an increase in both organic matter availability and temperature is expected to boost methanogenesis and potentially alter the microbial community that controls GHG fluxes. These community shifts are, however, challenging to detect by resolution-limited 16S rRNA gene-based approaches. Here, we applied full metagenome sequencing on long-term thermokarst lake sediment enrichments on acetate and trimethylamine at 4°C and 10°C to unravel species-specific responses to the most likely Arctic climate change scenario. Substrate amendment was used to mimic the increased organic carbon availability upon permafrost thaw. By performing de novo assembly, we reconstructed five high-quality and five medium-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) that represented 59% of the aligned metagenome reads. Seven bacterial MAGs belonged to anaerobic fermentative bacteria. Within the Archaea, the enrichment of methanogenic Methanosaetaceae/Methanotrichaceae under acetate amendment and Methanosarcinaceae under trimethylamine (TMA) amendment was not unexpected. Surprisingly, we observed temperature-specific methanogenic (sub)species responses with TMA amendment. These highlighted distinct and potentially functional climate-induced shifts could not be revealed with 16S rRNA gene-based analyses. Unraveling these temperature- and nutrient-controlled species-level responses is essential to better comprehend the mechanisms that underlie GHG production from Arctic lakes in a warming world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel H in 't Zandt
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Frank
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Polen Yilmaz
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Geert Cremers
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Centre, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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27
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Kurth JM, Op den Camp HJM, Welte CU. Several ways one goal-methanogenesis from unconventional substrates. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:6839-6854. [PMID: 32542472 PMCID: PMC7374477 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10724-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas on earth. It is produced by methanogenic archaea, which play an important role in the global carbon cycle. Three main methanogenesis pathways are known: in the hydrogenotrophic pathway H2 and carbon dioxide are used for methane production, whereas in the methylotrophic pathway small methylated carbon compounds like methanol and methylated amines are used. In the aceticlastic pathway, acetate is disproportionated to methane and carbon dioxide. However, next to these conventional substrates, further methanogenic substrates and pathways have been discovered. Several phylogenetically distinct methanogenic lineages (Methanosphaera, Methanimicrococcus, Methanomassiliicoccus, Methanonatronarchaeum) have evolved hydrogen-dependent methylotrophic methanogenesis without the ability to perform either hydrogenotrophic or methylotrophic methanogenesis. Genome analysis of the deep branching Methanonatronarchaeum revealed an interesting membrane-bound hydrogenase complex affiliated with the hardly described class 4 g of multisubunit hydrogenases possibly providing reducing equivalents for anabolism. Furthermore, methylated sulfur compounds such as methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, and methylmercaptopropionate were described to be converted into adapted methylotrophic methanogenesis pathways of Methanosarcinales strains. Moreover, recently it has been shown that the methanogen Methermicoccus shengliensis can use methoxylated aromatic compounds in methanogenesis. Also, tertiary amines like choline (N,N,N-trimethylethanolamine) or betaine (N,N,N-trimethylglycine) have been described as substrates for methane production in Methanococcoides and Methanolobus strains. This review article will provide in-depth information on genome-guided metabolic reconstructions, physiology, and biochemistry of these unusual methanogenesis pathways. Key points • Newly discovered methanogenic substrates and pathways are reviewed for the first time. • The review provides an in-depth analysis of unusual methanogenesis pathways. • The hydrogenase complex of the deep branching Methanonatronarchaeum is analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Kurth
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Huub J M Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. .,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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28
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Kurth JM, Smit NT, Berger S, Schouten S, Jetten MSM, Welte CU. Anaerobic methanotrophic archaea of the ANME-2d clade feature lipid composition that differs from other ANME archaea. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 95:5509572. [PMID: 31150548 PMCID: PMC6581649 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiz082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is a microbial process present in marine and freshwater environments. AOM is important for reducing the emission of the second most important greenhouse gas methane. In marine environments anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) are involved in sulfate-reducing AOM. In contrast, Ca. Methanoperedens of the ANME-2d cluster carries out nitrate AOM in freshwater ecosystems. Despite the importance of those organisms for AOM in non-marine environments little is known about their lipid composition or carbon sources. To close this gap, we analysed the lipid composition of ANME-2d archaea and found that they mainly synthesise archaeol and hydroxyarchaeol as well as different (hydroxy-) glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers, albeit in much lower amounts. Abundant lipid headgroups were dihexose, monomethyl-phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl hexose. Moreover, a monopentose was detected as a lipid headgroup that is rare among microorganisms. Batch incubations with 13C labelled bicarbonate and methane showed that methane is the main carbon source of ANME-2d archaea varying from ANME-1 archaea that primarily assimilate dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). ANME-2d archaea also assimilate DIC, but to a lower extent than methane. The lipid characterisation and analysis of the carbon source of Ca. Methanoperedens facilitates distinction between ANME-2d and other ANMEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Kurth
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nadine T Smit
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Organic Biogeochemistry and Utrecht University, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg (Texel), The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Berger
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Schouten
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Organic Biogeochemistry and Utrecht University, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg (Texel), The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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29
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In 't Zandt MH, Liebner S, Welte CU. Roles of Thermokarst Lakes in a Warming World. Trends Microbiol 2020; 28:769-779. [PMID: 32362540 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Permafrost covers a quarter of the northern hemisphere land surface and contains twice the amount of carbon that is currently present in the atmosphere. Future climate change is expected to reduce its near-surface cover by over 90% by the end of the 21st century, leading to thermokarst lake formation. Thermokarst lakes are point sources of carbon dioxide and methane which release long-term carbon stocks into the atmosphere, thereby initiating a positive climate feedback potentially contributing up to a 0.39°C rise of surface air temperatures by 2300. This review describes the potential role of thermokarst lakes in a warming world and the microbial mechanisms that underlie their contributions to the global greenhouse gas budget.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel H In 't Zandt
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Susanne Liebner
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section 3.7 Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany; University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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30
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van den Bosch TJM, Niemi O, Welte CU. Single gene enables plant pathogenic Pectobacterium to overcome host-specific chemical defence. Mol Plant Pathol 2020; 21:349-359. [PMID: 31872947 PMCID: PMC7036374 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Plants of the Brassicales order, including Arabidopsis and many common vegetables, produce toxic isothiocyanates to defend themselves against pathogens. Despite this defence, plant pathogenic microorganisms like Pectobacterium cause large yield losses in fields and during storage of crops. The bacterial gene saxA was previously found to encode isothiocyanate hydrolase that degrades isothiocyanates in vitro. Here we demonstrate in planta that saxA is a virulence factor that can overcome the chemical defence system of Brassicales plants. Analysis of the distribution of saxA genes in Pectobacterium suggests that saxA from three different phylogenetic origins are present within this genus. Deletion of saxA genes representing two of the most common classes from P. odoriferum and P. versatile resulted in significantly reduced virulence on Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica oleracea. Furthermore, expressing saxA from a plasmid in a potato-specific P. parmentieri strain that does not naturally harbour this gene significantly increased the ability of the strain to macerate Arabidopsis. These findings suggest that a single gene may have a significant role in defining the host range of a plant pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tijs J. M. van den Bosch
- Department of MicrobiologyInstitute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud UniversityNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Outi Niemi
- Viikki Plant Science CentreFaculty of Biological and Environmental SciencesUniversity of HelsinkiFinland
| | - Cornelia U. Welte
- Department of MicrobiologyInstitute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud UniversityNijmegenNetherlands
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31
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van den Bosch TJM, Welte CU. The Microbial Diversity of Cabbage Pest Delia radicum Across Multiple Life Stages. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:315. [PMID: 32174906 PMCID: PMC7056704 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The cabbage root fly Delia radicum is a worldwide pest that causes yield losses of many common cabbage crops. The bacteria associated with D. radicum are suggested to influence the pest status of their host. In this study, we characterized insect-associated bacteria of D. radicum across multiple life stages and of their diet plant (turnip, Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) by sequencing the V3–V4 region of 16S rRNA genes using the Illumina MiSeq platform. In total, over 1.2M paired-end reads were obtained, identifying 1006 bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in samples obtained from the eggs, larvae, pupae and adults of D. radicum, as well as turnips that were either fresh or infested with D. radicum larvae. The microbial community in D. radicum was dominated by Wolbachia, a common endosymbiont of arthropods which we found in all of the investigated insect samples, with the pupal stage having the highest relative abundance. Moderate amounts of Firmicutes were found only in adult D. radicum flies, but not in previous life stages. Actinobacteria were mostly found on the eggs and on the skin of fresh plants on which the eggs were deposited. These plants also harbored a large amount of Pseudomonas. The bacterial diversity of the healthy turnip was low, whereas the microbial community of decaying turnips that were heavily infested by D. radicum larvae and showing symptoms of advanced soft rot was characterized by a high bacterial diversity. Taken together, this work provides insights into the bacterial communities associated with the cabbage pest D. radicum and its associated disease symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tijs J M van den Bosch
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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32
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Abstract
The majority of microbial communities consist of hundreds to thousands of species, creating a massive network of organisms competing for available resources within an ecosystem. In natural microbial communities, it appears that many microbial species have highly redundant metabolisms and seemingly are capable of utilizing the same substrates. This is paradoxical, as theory indicates that species requiring a common resource should outcompete one another. To better understand why microbial species can coexist, we developed metabolic overlap (MO) as a new metric to survey the functional redundancy of microbial communities at the genome scale across a wide variety of ecosystems. Using metagenome-assembled genomes, we surveyed nearly 1,000 studies across nine ecosystem types. We found the highest MO in extreme (i.e., low pH/high temperature) and aquatic environments, while the lowest MO was observed in communities associated with animal hosts, the built/engineered environment, and soil. In addition, different metabolism subcategories were explored for their degree of MO. For instance, overlap in nitrogen metabolism was among the lowest in animal and engineered ecosystems, while species from the built environment had the highest overlap. Together, we present a metric that utilizes whole genome information to explore overlapping niches of microbes. This provides a detailed picture of potential metabolic competition and cooperation between species present in an ecosystem, indicates the main substrate types sustaining the community, and serves as a valuable tool to generate hypotheses for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R Hester
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Lücker
- Department of Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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33
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Kröninger L, Steiniger F, Berger S, Kraus S, Welte CU, Deppenmeier U. Energy conservation in the gut microbeMethanomassiliicoccus luminyensisis based on membrane‐bound ferredoxin oxidation coupled to heterodisulfide reduction. FEBS J 2019; 286:3831-3843. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.14948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lena Kröninger
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Fabian Steiniger
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Stefanie Berger
- Department of Microbiology IWWR Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Kraus
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| | - Cornelia U. Welte
- Department of Microbiology IWWR Radboud University Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Uwe Deppenmeier
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology University of Bonn Bonn Germany
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34
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de Jong AEE, In 't Zandt MH, Meisel OH, Jetten MSM, Dean JF, Rasigraf O, Welte CU. Increases in temperature and nutrient availability positively affect methane-cycling microorganisms in Arctic thermokarst lake sediments. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:4314-4327. [PMID: 29968310 PMCID: PMC6334529 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Arctic permafrost soils store large amounts of organic matter that is sensitive to temperature increases and subsequent microbial degradation to methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Here, we studied methanogenic and methanotrophic activity and community composition in thermokarst lake sediments from Utqiag˙vik (formerly Barrow), Alaska. This experiment was carried out under in situ temperature conditions (4°C) and the IPCC 2013 Arctic climate change scenario (10°C) after addition of methanogenic and methanotrophic substrates for nearly a year. Trimethylamine (TMA) amendment with warming showed highest maximum CH4production rates, being 30% higher at 10°C than at 4°C. Maximum methanotrophic rates increased by up to 57% at 10°C compared to 4°C. 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated high relative abundance of Methanosarcinaceae in TMA amended incubations, and for methanotrophic incubations Methylococcaeae were highly enriched. Anaerobic methanotrophic activity with nitrite or nitrate as electron acceptor was not detected. This study indicates that the methane cycling microbial community can adapt to temperature increases and that their activity is highly dependent on substrate availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniek E E de Jong
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel H In 't Zandt
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ove H Meisel
- Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joshua F Dean
- Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Olivia Rasigraf
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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35
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In 't Zandt MH, van den Bosch TJM, Rijkers R, van Kessel MAHJ, Jetten MSM, Welte CU. Co-cultivation of the strictly anaerobic methanogen Methanosarcina barkeri with aerobic methanotrophs in an oxygen-limited membrane bioreactor. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:5685-5694. [PMID: 29725720 PMCID: PMC5999129 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9038-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Wetlands contribute to 30% of global methane emissions due to an imbalance between microbial methane production and consumption. Methanogenesis and methanotrophy have mainly been studied separately, and little is known about their potential interactions in aquatic environments. To mimic the interaction between methane producers and oxidizers in the environment, we co-cultivated the methanogenic archaeon Methanosarcina barkeri with aerobic Methylocystaceae methanotrophs in an oxygen-limited bioreactor using acetate as methanogenic substrate. Methane, acetate, dissolved oxygen, available nitrogen, pH, temperature, and cell density were monitored to follow system stability and activity. Stable reactor operation was achieved for two consecutive periods of 2 months. Fluorescence in situ hybridization micrographs indicated close association between both groups of microorganisms. This association suggests that the methanotrophs profit from direct access to the methane that is produced from acetate, while methanogens are protected by the concomitant oxygen consumption of the methanotrophs. This proof of principle study can be used to set up systems to study their responses to environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel H In 't Zandt
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tijs J M van den Bosch
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud Rijkers
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Maartje A H J van Kessel
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth System Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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36
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Arshad A, Dalcin Martins P, Frank J, Jetten MSM, Op den Camp HJM, Welte CU. Mimicking microbial interactions under nitrate-reducing conditions in an anoxic bioreactor: enrichment of novel Nitrospirae bacteria distantly related to Thermodesulfovibrio. Environ Microbiol 2017; 19:4965-4977. [PMID: 29105249 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Microorganisms are main drivers of the sulfur, nitrogen and carbon biogeochemical cycles. These elemental cycles are interconnected by the activity of different guilds in sediments or wastewater treatment systems. Here, we investigated a nitrate-reducing microbial community in a laboratory-scale bioreactor model that closely mimicked estuary or brackish sediment conditions. The bioreactor simultaneously consumed sulfide, methane and ammonium at the expense of nitrate. Ammonium oxidation occurred solely by the activity of anammox bacteria identified as Candidatus Scalindua brodae and Ca. Kuenenia stuttgartiensis. Fifty-three percent of methane oxidation was catalyzed by archaea affiliated to Ca. Methanoperedens and 47% by Ca. Methylomirabilis bacteria. Sulfide oxidation was mainly shared between two proteobacterial groups. Interestingly, competition for nitrate did not lead to exclusion of one particular group. Metagenomic analysis showed that the most abundant taxonomic group was distantly related to Thermodesulfovibrio sp. (87-89% 16S rRNA gene identity, 52-54% average amino acid identity), representing a new family within the Nitrospirae phylum. A high quality draft genome of the new species was recovered, and analysis showed high metabolic versatility. Related microbial groups are found in diverse environments with sulfur, nitrogen and methane cycling, indicating that these novel Nitrospirae bacteria might contribute to biogeochemical cycling in natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arslan Arshad
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jeroen Frank
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute for Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute for Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth Systems Science Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Huub J M Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute for Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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37
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In 't Zandt MH, Beckmann S, Rijkers R, Jetten MSM, Manefield M, Welte CU. Nutrient and acetate amendment leads to acetoclastic methane production and microbial community change in a non-producing Australian coal well. Microb Biotechnol 2017; 11:626-638. [PMID: 28925579 PMCID: PMC6011947 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Coal mining is responsible for 11% of total anthropogenic methane emission thereby contributing considerably to climate change. Attempts to harvest coalbed methane for energy production are challenged by relatively low methane concentrations. In this study, we investigated whether nutrient and acetate amendment of a non-producing sub-bituminous coal well could transform the system to a methane source. We tracked cell counts, methane production, acetate concentration and geochemical parameters for 25 months in one amended and one unamended coal well in Australia. Additionally, the microbial community was analysed with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing at 17 and 25 months after amendment and complemented by metagenome sequencing at 25 months. We found that cell numbers increased rapidly from 3.0 × 104 cells ml-1 to 9.9 × 107 in the first 7 months after amendment. However, acetate depletion with concomitant methane production started only after 12-19 months. The microbial community was dominated by complex organic compound degraders (Anaerolineaceae, Rhodocyclaceae and Geobacter spp.), acetoclastic methanogens (Methanothrix spp.) and fungi (Agaricomycetes). Even though the microbial community had the functional potential to convert coal to methane, we observed no indication that coal was actually converted within the time frame of the study. Our results suggest that even though nutrient and acetate amendment stimulated relevant microbial species, it is not a sustainable way to transform non-producing coal wells into bioenergy factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel H In 't Zandt
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth Systems Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabrina Beckmann
- School of Chemical Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, High Street, 2052, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ruud Rijkers
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Earth Systems Science Center, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mike Manefield
- School of Chemical Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, High Street, 2052, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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38
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia U Welte
- Radboud University, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Department of Microbiology, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands. Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525AJ Nijmegen, Netherlands.
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39
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van den Bosch TJM, Welte CU. Detoxifying symbionts in agriculturally important pest insects. Microb Biotechnol 2016; 10:531-540. [PMID: 27943632 PMCID: PMC5404199 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Pest insects lead to excessive agricultural and therefore economical losses on crops worldwide. These insects have to withstand toxic molecules that are inherent to plant defences, as well as those that are produced and introduced by humans in the form of insecticides. In recent years, research on insect–microbe symbioses has recognized that microbial symbionts may play a role protecting against these toxins, leading to a form of defensive symbiosis between the pest insect and different types of microorganisms that we term detoxifying symbioses. In this minireview, we will highlight well‐characterized and emerging insect model systems of detoxifying symbioses and assess how the microorganisms influence the host's success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tijs J M van den Bosch
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525, AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525, AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Welte CU, Rasigraf O, Vaksmaa A, Versantvoort W, Arshad A, Op den Camp HJM, Jetten MSM, Lüke C, Reimann J. Nitrate- and nitrite-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane. Environ Microbiol Rep 2016; 8:941-955. [PMID: 27753265 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Microbial methane oxidation is an important process to reduce the emission of the greenhouse gas methane. Anaerobic microorganisms couple the oxidation of methane to the reduction of sulfate, nitrate and nitrite, and possibly oxidized iron and manganese minerals. In this article, we review the recent finding of the intriguing nitrate- and nitrite-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). Nitrate-dependent AOM is catalyzed by anaerobic archaea belonging to the ANME-2d clade closely related to Methanosarcina methanogens. They were named 'Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens' and use reverse methanogenesis with the key enzyme methyl-coenzyme M (methyl-CoM) reductase for methane activation. Their major end product is nitrite which can be taken up by nitrite-dependent methanotrophs. Nitrite-dependent AOM is performed by the NC10 bacterium 'Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera' that probably utilizes an intra-aerobic pathway through the dismutation of NO to N2 and O2 for aerobic methane activation by methane monooxygenase, yet being a strictly anaerobic microbe. Environmental distribution, physiological and biochemical aspects are discussed in this article as well as the cooperation of the microorganisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Olivia Rasigraf
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth Systems Science Center, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Annika Vaksmaa
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter Versantvoort
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Arslan Arshad
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Huub J M Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Earth Systems Science Center, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Lüke
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
| | - Joachim Reimann
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, AJ, 6525, The Netherlands
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Arshad A, Speth DR, de Graaf RM, Op den Camp HJM, Jetten MSM, Welte CU. A Metagenomics-Based Metabolic Model of Nitrate-Dependent Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane by Methanoperedens-Like Archaea. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1423. [PMID: 26733968 PMCID: PMC4683180 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Methane oxidation is an important process to mitigate the emission of the greenhouse gas methane and further exacerbating of climate forcing. Both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms have been reported to catalyze methane oxidation with only a few possible electron acceptors. Recently, new microorganisms were identified that could couple the oxidation of methane to nitrate or nitrite reduction. Here we investigated such an enrichment culture at the (meta) genomic level to establish a metabolic model of nitrate-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (nitrate-AOM). Nitrate-AOM is catalyzed by an archaeon closely related to (reverse) methanogens that belongs to the ANME-2d clade, tentatively named Methanoperedens nitroreducens. Methane may be activated by methyl-CoM reductase and subsequently undergo full oxidation to carbon dioxide via reverse methanogenesis. All enzymes of this pathway were present and expressed in the investigated culture. The genome of the archaeal enrichment culture encoded a variety of enzymes involved in an electron transport chain similar to those found in Methanosarcina species with additional features not previously found in methane-converting archaea. Nitrate reduction to nitrite seems to be located in the pseudoperiplasm and may be catalyzed by an unusual Nar-like protein complex. A small part of the resulting nitrite is reduced to ammonium which may be catalyzed by a Nrf-type nitrite reductase. One of the key questions is how electrons from cytoplasmically located reverse methanogenesis reach the nitrate reductase in the pseudoperiplasm. Electron transport in M. nitroreducens probably involves cofactor F420 in the cytoplasm, quinones in the cytoplasmic membrane and cytochrome c in the pseudoperiplasm. The membrane-bound electron transport chain includes F420H2 dehydrogenase and an unusual Rieske/cytochrome b complex. Based on genome and transcriptome studies a tentative model of how central energy metabolism of nitrate-AOM could work is presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arslan Arshad
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Daan R Speth
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rob M de Graaf
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Huub J M Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Mike S M Jetten
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Cornelia U Welte
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Welte CU, de Graaf RM, van den Bosch TJM, Op den Camp HJM, van Dam NM, Jetten MSM. Plasmids from the gut microbiome of cabbage root fly larvae encode SaxA that catalyses the conversion of the plant toxin 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate. Environ Microbiol 2015; 18:1379-90. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia U. Welte
- Department of Microbiology; Radboud University; Heyendaalseweg 135 6525 AJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Rob M. de Graaf
- Department of Microbiology; Radboud University; Heyendaalseweg 135 6525 AJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Tijs J. M. van den Bosch
- Department of Microbiology; Radboud University; Heyendaalseweg 135 6525 AJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Huub J. M. Op den Camp
- Department of Microbiology; Radboud University; Heyendaalseweg 135 6525 AJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Nicole M. van Dam
- Molecular Interaction Ecology; IWWR; Radboud University; Heyendaalseweg 135 6525 AJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
- Molecular Interaction Ecology; German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig; Deutscher Platz 5e 04103 Leipzig Germany
- Institute of Ecology; Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Dornburger-Str. 159 07743 Jena Germany
| | - Mike S. M. Jetten
- Department of Microbiology; Radboud University; Heyendaalseweg 135 6525 AJ Nijmegen The Netherlands
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Welte CU, Jetten MSM. Fortunate those that are starting now. Environ Microbiol Rep 2015; 7:23-25. [PMID: 25721596 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia U Welte
- Soehngen Institute of Anaerobic Microbiology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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