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Genomic adaptations in information processing underpin trophic strategy in a whole-ecosystem nutrient enrichment
Jordan G Okie1, Amisha T Poret-Peterson2, Zarraz Mp Lee3
1School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, United States.
Elife
|January 29, 2020
Summary
Genomic traits influence microbial community responses to nutrient enrichment. Higher genome size and gene counts were observed in fertilized conditions, reflecting trade-offs in information processing costs and rates.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Genomics
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Universal genomic traits impact biochemical information processing, affecting metabolism and reproduction.
- Nutrient availability influences microbial community structure and function.
- Oligotrophic environments favor lower information-processing costs, while copiotrophic conditions favor higher processing rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of genomic traits in mediating planktonic microbial community responses to nutrient enrichment.
- To conduct one of the first whole-ecosystem experiments with replicated metagenomic assessment.
Main Methods:
- Whole-ecosystem experiment involving nutrient enrichment in a phosphorus-deficient pond.
- Replicated metagenomic assessment of microbial communities.
- Analysis of genomic traits including genome size, GC content, tRNA and rRNA gene counts, and codon usage bias.
Main Results:
- Fertilized treatments showed higher mean bacterial genome size, GC content, tRNA genes, and rRNA genes compared to unfertilized controls.
- Observed changes align with predictions that oligotrophy favors lower information-processing costs and copiotrophy favors higher processing rates.
- Contrasting changes in trait variances indicated differential mediation of community assembly under varying nutrient conditions.
Conclusions:
- Trade-offs in information-processing genomic traits significantly influence microbial community assembly.
- These traits are fine-tuned to an organism's growth and trophic strategy, impacting metabolism, energy, and nutrient requirements.
Keywords:
GC contentcodon usage biasecologygenome sizemetagenomicsphosphorous fertilizationrRNA operon copy numberMore Related Videos
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