RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Genomes of Thaumarchaeota from deep sea sediments reveal specific adaptations of three independently evolved lineages
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2020.06.24.168906
DO 10.1101/2020.06.24.168906
A1 Kerou, Melina
A1 Ponce-Toledo, Rafael I.
A1 Zhao, Rui
A1 Abby, Sophie S.
A1 Hirai, Miho
A1 Nomaki, Hidetaka
A1 Takaki, Yoshihiro
A1 Nunoura, Takuro
A1 Jørgensen, Steffen L.
A1 Schleper, Christa
YR 2020
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/06/24/2020.06.24.168906.abstract
AB Marine sediments represent a vast habitat for complex microbiomes. Among these, ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) of the phylum Thaumarchaeota are one of the most common, yet little explored inhabitants, that seem extraordinarily well adapted to the harsh conditions of the subsurface biosphere. We present 11 metagenome-assembled genomes of the most abundant AOA clades from sediment cores obtained from the Atlantic Mid-Ocean ridge flanks and Pacific abyssal plains. Their phylogenomic placement reveals three independently evolved clades within the order Ca. Nitrosopumilales, of which no cultured representative is known yet. In addition to the gene sets for ammonia oxidation and carbon fixation known from other AOA, all genomes encode an extended capacity for the conversion of fermentation products that can be channeled into the central carbon metabolism, as well as uptake of amino acids probably for protein maintenance or as an ammonia source. Two lineages encode an additional (V-type) ATPase and a large repertoire of gene repair systems that may allow to overcome challenges of high hydrostatic pressure. We suggest that the adaptive radiation of AOA into marine sediments occurred more than once in evolution and resulted in three distinct lineages with particular adaptations to this extremely energy limiting and high-pressure environment.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.