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Genomic Description of '

Lily Momper1, Heidi S Aronson2, Jan P Amend2,3

  • 1Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|September 14, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Researchers discovered a new bacterial lineage, "Candidatus Abyssubacteria," in deep subsurface environments. These microbes are widespread and possess versatile metabolisms crucial for Earth's carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Geochemistry
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • The deep subsurface biosphere hosts a vast microbial biomass and plays a critical role in global biogeochemical cycles.
  • Understanding the survival strategies and ecological roles of subterranean microbial communities is essential for comprehending Earth's systems.
  • Novel microbial lineages are continually being discovered in deep subsurface environments, expanding our knowledge of microbial diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the first full genomic sequences of a novel bacterial lineage, 'Candidatus Abyssubacteria,' from the candidate phylum Hydrogenedentes.
  • To investigate the distribution and potential metabolic capabilities of this newly identified bacterial lineage in subsurface environments.
  • To elucidate the ecological significance of 'Candidatus Abyssubacteria' in subsurface biogeochemical cycling.
Keywords:
AbyssubacteriaHydrogenedentesmetagenomicsmicrobial dark mattersubsurface biosphere

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Main Methods:

  • Metagenomic sequencing of fluids collected 1.5 kilometers below the surface at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF).
  • Phylogenomic analyses to determine the taxonomic placement of the novel bacterial lineage.
  • Reconstruction of two high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) for 'Candidatus Abyssubacteria'.
  • Metabolic reconstruction based on genomic data to infer physiological capabilities.

Main Results:

  • The first full genomic sequences of 'Candidatus Abyssubacteria' were obtained, revealing a novel bacterial lineage within the candidate phylum Hydrogenedentes.
  • A global survey indicated that members of this lineage are widely distributed in both marine and terrestrial subsurface environments.
  • Metabolic reconstruction suggested versatile capabilities, including nitrogen reduction, sulfite oxidation, sulfate reduction, and homoacetogenesis.
  • The findings provide the first insight into the metabolic potential of these cosmopolitan subsurface bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • 'Candidatus Abyssubacteria' represents a newly described bacterial lineage with a significant presence in deep subsurface ecosystems.
  • These bacteria possess versatile metabolic pathways, suggesting their involvement in key geochemical processes such as sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon cycling.
  • The discovery highlights the adaptation of these microbes to the dark, anoxic conditions of the subsurface biosphere and their importance in its functioning.