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Bacterial dual phototrophy was demystified.

¹Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.

Trends in Microbiology

|February 23, 2023

Summary

This study provides physiological proof of dual phototrophy in Alpine bacteria, utilizing bacteriochlorophyll and rhodopsin. It also highlights the ecological significance of heat as a phototrophic byproduct.

Keywords:

bacteriochlorophyll extreme environments heat production light-harvesting phototrophic bacteria xanthorhodopsin

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Biochemistry
Environmental Science

Background:

Genomic data suggested bacteria could perform dual phototrophy using bacteriochlorophyll and rhodopsin.
Physiological evidence for this dual capability remained elusive for over a decade.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide direct physiological proof of dual phototrophy in bacteria.
To highlight the ecological role of heat as a byproduct of phototrophy.

Main Methods:

Investigated an Alpine psychrophilic bacterium.
Focused on bacteriochlorophyll and rhodopsin-based energy metabolism.

Main Results:

Kopejtka et al. successfully demonstrated physiological evidence for dual phototrophy.
Identified heat as a significant, previously overlooked phototrophic byproduct.

Conclusions:

Direct physiological evidence confirms dual phototrophy in certain bacteria.
The production of heat by phototrophic bacteria has ecological implications.