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Deciphering the Microbial Taxonomy and Functionality of Two Diverse Mangrove Ecosystems and Their Potential Abilities
Shuilin Liao1,2, Yayu Wang2,3, Huan Liu2
1BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
Msystems
|October 28, 2020
Summary
Microbial communities in Chinese mangroves differ between pristine and polluted sites, impacting nutrient cycling and bioactive compound production. This research reveals distinct microbial functions and antibiotic resistance genes, offering resources for discovering new medicines.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Environmental Microbiology
- Metagenomics
Background:
- Mangrove ecosystems harbor unique microbial communities with potential for novel bioactive compounds.
- Understanding microbial taxonomic and functional shifts is crucial, especially comparing pristine versus anthropogenic environments.
- Limited knowledge exists on the biogeochemical implications of mangrove microbiomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microbial taxonomic and functional shifts in pristine and anthropogenic mangrove ecosystems in southern China.
- To explore the potential for bioactive compound production within these microbiomes.
- To identify differences in microbial gene capacity and antibiotic resistance between the two environments.
Main Methods:
- Deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing was employed to construct a comprehensive gene catalogue.
- Bioinformatic analyses were used to identify differentially enriched taxa and functional genes.
- Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) were identified and novel microbial genomes were reconstructed.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in bacterial and archaeal taxa were observed between pristine (Guangxi) and anthropogenic (Shenzhen) mangroves.
- Shenzhen mangroves showed higher abundance of *Nitrospira* and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (nitrogen metabolism), while Guangxi mangroves had more sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogens (sulfur metabolism and methanogenesis).
- Numerous BGCs were identified, including novel *Acidobacteria* genomes, and 67,278 unique genes associated with antibiotic resistance were found.
Conclusions:
- Mangrove microbiomes exhibit distinct taxonomic and functional profiles shaped by environmental conditions.
- The identified BGCs represent a valuable resource for discovering novel bioactive compounds with potential clinical applications.
- The prevalence of multidrug-resistant genes highlights the persistence of antibiotic resistance in mangrove environments.
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