scholarly journals “Methanoplasmatales,” Thermoplasmatales-Related Archaea in Termite Guts and Other Environments, Are the Seventh Order of Methanogens

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (23) ◽  
pp. 8245-8253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Paul ◽  
James O. Nonoh ◽  
Lena Mikulski ◽  
Andreas Brune

ABSTRACTTheEuryarchaeotacomprise both methanogenic and nonmethanogenic orders and many lineages of uncultivated archaea with unknown properties. One of these deep-branching lineages, distantly related to theThermoplasmatales, has been discovered in various environments, including marine habitats, soil, and also the intestinal tracts of termites and mammals. By comparative phylogenetic analysis, we connected this lineage of 16S rRNA genes to a large clade of unknownmcrAgene sequences, a functional marker for methanogenesis, obtained from the same habitats. The identical topologies of 16S rRNA andmcrAgene trees and the perfect congruence of all branches, including several novel groups that we obtained from the guts of termites and cockroaches, strongly suggested that they stem from the same microorganisms. This was further corroborated by two highly enriched cultures of closely related methanogens from the guts of a higher termite (Cubitermes ugandensis) and a millipede (Anadenobolussp.), which represented one of the arthropod-specific clusters in the respective trees. Numerous other pairs of habitat-specific sequence clusters were obtained from the guts of other termites and cockroaches but were also found in previously published data sets from the intestinal tracts of mammals (e.g., rumen cluster C) and other environments. Together with the recently describedMethanomassiliicoccus luminyensisisolated from human feces, which falls into rice cluster III, the results of our study strongly support the idea that the entire clade of “unculturedThermoplasmatales” in fact represents the seventh order of methanogenic archaea, for which the provisional name “Methanoplasmatales” is proposed.

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 604-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Wilkins ◽  
Xiao-Ying Lu ◽  
Zhiyong Shen ◽  
Jiapeng Chen ◽  
Patrick K. H. Lee

ABSTRACTMethanogenic archaea play a key role in biogas-producing anaerobic digestion and yet remain poorly taxonomically characterized. This is in part due to the limitations of low-throughput Sanger sequencing of a single (16S rRNA) gene, which in the past may have undersampled methanogen diversity. In this study, archaeal communities from three sludge digesters in Hong Kong and one wastewater digester in China were examined using high-throughput pyrosequencing of the methyl coenzyme M reductase (mcrA) and 16S rRNA genes.Methanobacteriales,Methanomicrobiales, andMethanosarcinaleswere detected in each digester, indicating that both hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogenesis was occurring. Two sludge digesters had similar community structures, likely due to their similar design and feedstock. Taxonomic classification of themcrAgenes suggested that these digesters were dominated by acetoclastic methanogens, particularlyMethanosarcinales, while the other digesters were dominated by hydrogenotrophicMethanomicrobiales. The proposed euryarchaeotal orderMethanomassiliicoccalesand the uncultured WSA2 group were detected with the 16S rRNA gene, and potentialmcrAgenes for these groups were identified. 16S rRNA gene sequencing also recovered several crenarchaeotal groups potentially involved in the initial anaerobic digestion processes. Overall, the two genes produced different taxonomic profiles for the digesters, while greater methanogen richness was detected using themcrAgene, supporting the use of this functional gene as a complement to the 16S rRNA gene to better assess methanogen diversity. A significant positive correlation was detected between methane production and the abundance ofmcrAtranscripts in digesters treating sludge and wastewater samples, supporting themcrAgene as a biomarker for methane yield.


2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (14) ◽  
pp. 5009-5017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Pizzetti ◽  
Bernhard M. Fuchs ◽  
Gunnar Gerdts ◽  
Antje Wichels ◽  
Karen H. Wiltshire ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTMembers of the bacterial phylumPlanctomycetesare reported in marine water samples worldwide, but quantitative information is scarce. Here we investigated the phylogenetic diversity, abundance, and distribution ofPlanctomycetesin surface waters off the German North Sea island Helgoland during different seasons by 16S rRNA gene analysis and catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescencein situhybridization (CARD-FISH). GenerallyPlanctomycetesare more abundant in samples collected in summer and autumn than in samples collected in winter and spring. Statistical analysis revealed thatPlanctomycetesabundance was correlated to theCentralesdiatom bloom in spring 2007. The analysis of size-fractionated seawater samples and of macroaggregates showed that ∼90% of thePlanctomycetesreside in the >3-μm size fraction. Comparative sequence analysis of 184 almost full-length 16S rRNA genes revealed three dominant clades. The clades, namedPlanctomyces-related group A, unculturedPlanctomycetesgroup B, andPirellula-related group D, were monitored by CARD-FISH using newly developed oligonucleotide probes. All three clades showed recurrent abundance patterns during two annual sampling campaigns. UnculturedPlanctomycetesgroup B was most abundant in autumn samples, whilePlanctomyces-related group A was present in high numbers only during late autumn and winter. The levels ofPirellula-related group D were more constant throughout the year, with elevated counts in summer. Our analyses suggest that the seasonal succession of thePlanctomycetesis correlated with algal blooms. We hypothesize that the niche partitioning of the different clades might be caused by their algal substrates.


2009 ◽  
Vol 71-73 ◽  
pp. 97-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.M. Siebert ◽  
Thore Rohwerder ◽  
Wolfgang Sand ◽  
M. Strzodka ◽  
K.P. Stahmann

The largest lignite mining area in Europe is located 150 km southeast of Berlin. Acidic lakes exist in this area, known to be caused by marcasite oxidation. Thirty-two samples from the open-pit brown coal-mine Jaenschwalde were analyzed for microorganisms. Cell numbers determined after separation from sand particles revealed concentrations of 102 to 107 microorganisms per g sample. In samples exposed to the air within an hour, up to 4x107 cells were counted. Measurement of metabolic activity by microcalorimetry showed for such samples up to 50 µW per g sand, whereas in heap samples (with low moisture) low or even no activity was measurable. DNA extraction was successful for 28 samples. In 26 samples microbial 16S rRNA genes were amplified by PCR. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and At. thiooxidans specific amplificates were detected by nested PCR in 23 and 10 cases, respectively. A specific signal indicating Leptospirillum ferrooxidans was obtained with nine samples. Random samples were sequenced and showed 96 to 99 % identity with published data of all three species. Surprisingly, in four samples archaeal 16S rRNA genes were amplified by PCR. Sequencing of two samples showed 99 % identity with unidentified or uncultured archaea found in NCBI-databases. Molecular biology results for At. ferrooxidans as well as for At. thiooxidans were supported by successful isolations of pure cultures in 23 cases. Cultivation of the archaea failed so far. These data indicate that iron- and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms occur at these sites in large numbers. If in addition the evidence for archaea can become verified, a screening for hot spots as the sites of their occurrence would become interesting.


2014 ◽  
Vol 64 (Pt_7) ◽  
pp. 2274-2279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheol Su Park ◽  
Kyudong Han ◽  
Tae-Young Ahn

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, pale-pink pigmented bacterial strain, designated TF8T, was isolated from leaf mould in Cheonan, Republic of Korea. Its taxonomic position was determined through a polyphasic approach. Optimal growth occurred on R2A agar without NaCl supplementation, at 25–28 °C and at pH 6.0–7.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TF8T belongs to the genus Mucilaginibacter in the family Sphingobacteriaceae . The sequence similarity between 16S rRNA genes of strain TF8T and the type strains of other species of the genus Mucilaginibacter ranged from 92.1 to 94.7 %. The closest relatives of strain TF8T were Mucilaginibacter lutimaris BR-3T (94.7 %), M. soli R9-65T (94.5 %), M. litoreus BR-18T (94.5 %), M. rigui WPCB133T (94.0 %) and M. daejeonensis Jip 10T (93.8 %). The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (33.0 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c; 24.8 %) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c; 13.0 %). The major polar lipids of TF8T were phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified aminophospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 46.2 mol%. On the basis of the data presented here, strain TF8T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter , for which the name Mucilaginibacter koreensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TF8T ( = KACC 17468T = JCM 19323T).


2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 1684-1691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baozhan Wang ◽  
Yan Zheng ◽  
Rong Huang ◽  
Xue Zhou ◽  
Dongmei Wang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAll cultivated ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) within theNitrososphaeracluster (former soil group 1.1b) are neutrophilic. Molecular surveys also indicate the existence ofNitrososphaera-like phylotypes in acidic soil, but their ecological roles are poorly understood. In this study, we present molecular evidence for the chemolithoautotrophic growth ofNitrososphaera-like AOA in an acidic soil with pH 4.92 using DNA-based stable isotope probing (SIP). Soil microcosm incubations demonstrated that nitrification was stimulated by urea fertilization and accompanied by a significant increase in the abundance of AOA rather than ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). Real-time PCR analysis ofamoAgenes as a function of the buoyant density of the DNA gradient following the ultracentrifugation of the total DNA extracted from SIP microcosms indicated a substantial growth of soil AOA during nitrification. Pyrosequencing of the total 16S rRNA genes in the “heavy” DNA fractions suggested that archaeal communities were labeled to a much greater extent than soil AOB. Acetylene inhibition further showed that13CO2assimilation by nitrifying communities depended solely on ammonia oxidation activity, suggesting a chemolithoautotrophic lifestyle. Phylogenetic analysis of both13C-labeledamoAand 16S rRNA genes revealed that most of the active AOA were phylogenetically closely related to the neutrophilic strainsNitrososphaera viennensisEN76 and JG1 within theNitrososphaeracluster. Our results provide strong evidence for the adaptive growth ofNitrososphaera-like AOA in acidic soil, suggesting a greater metabolic versatility of soil AOA than previously appreciated.


2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (17) ◽  
pp. 5282-5291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Broszat ◽  
Heiko Nacke ◽  
Ronja Blasi ◽  
Christina Siebe ◽  
Johannes Huebner ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWastewater contains large amounts of pharmaceuticals, pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance determinants. Only a little is known about the dissemination of resistance determinants and changes in soil microbial communities affected by wastewater irrigation. Community DNAs from Mezquital Valley soils under irrigation with untreated wastewater for 0 to 100 years were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR for the presence ofsulgenes, encoding resistance to sulfonamides. Amplicon sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes from community DNAs from soils irrigated for 0, 8, 10, 85, and 100 years was performed and revealed a 14% increase of the relative abundance ofProteobacteriain rainy season soils and a 26.7% increase in dry season soils for soils irrigated for 100 years with wastewater. In particular,Gammaproteobacteria, including potential pathogens, such asPseudomonas,Stenotrophomonas, andAcinetobacterspp., were found in wastewater-irrigated fields. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of 96 isolates from soils irrigated with wastewater for 100 years (48 from dry and 48 from rainy season soils) revealed that 46% were affiliated with theGammaproteobacteria(mainly potentially pathogenicStenotrophomonasstrains) and 50% with theBacilli, whereas all 96 isolates from rain-fed soils (48 from dry and 48 from rainy season soils) were affiliated with theBacilli. Up to six types of antibiotic resistance were found in isolates from wastewater-irrigated soils; sulfamethoxazole resistance was the most abundant (33.3% of the isolates), followed by oxacillin resistance (21.9% of the isolates). In summary, we detected an increase of potentially harmful bacteria and a larger incidence of resistance determinants in wastewater-irrigated soils, which might result in health risks for farm workers and consumers of wastewater-irrigated crops.


2006 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 353-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suwat Saengkerdsub ◽  
Robin C. Anderson ◽  
Heather H. Wilkinson ◽  
Woo-Kyun Kim ◽  
David J. Nisbet ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT By using molecular methods for the identification and quantification of methanogenic archaea in adult chicken ceca, 16S rRNA genes of 11 different phylotypes, 10 of which were 99% similar to Methanobrevibacter woesei, were found. Methanogen populations, as assessed by cultivation, and the 16S rRNA copy number were between 6.38 and 8.23 cells/g (wet weight) and 5.50 and 7.19 log10/g (wet weight), respectively.


2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 7550-7554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeppe L. Nielsen ◽  
Andreas Schramm ◽  
Anne E. Bernhard ◽  
Gerrit J. van den Engh ◽  
David A. Stahl

ABSTRACT A flow cytometry method was developed for rapid screening and recovery of cloned DNA containing common sequence motifs. This approach, termed fluorescence-activated cell sorting-assisted cloning, was used to recover sequences affiliated with a unique lineage within the Bacteroidetes not abundant in a clone library of environmental 16S rRNA genes.


2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 915-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Y. Merkel ◽  
Julie A. Huber ◽  
Nikolay A. Chernyh ◽  
Elizaveta A. Bonch-Osmolovskaya ◽  
Alexander V. Lebedinsky

ABSTRACTThe anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is carried out by a globally distributed group of uncultivatedEuryarchaeota, the anaerobic methanotrophic arachaea (ANME). In this work, we used G+C analysis of 16S rRNA genes to identify a putatively thermophilic ANME group and applied newly designed primers to study its distribution in low-temperature diffuse vent fluids from deep-sea hydrothermal vents. We found that the G+C content of the 16S rRNA genes (PGC) is significantly higher in the ANME-1GBa group than in other ANME groups. Based on the positive correlation between thePGCand optimal growth temperatures (Topt) of archaea, we hypothesize that the ANME-1GBa group is adapted to thrive at high temperatures. We designed specific 16S rRNA gene-targeted primers for the ANME-1 cluster to detect all phylogenetic groups within this cluster, including the deeply branching ANME-1GBa group. The primers were successfully tested bothin silicoand in experiments with sediment samples where ANME-1 phylotypes had previously been detected. The primers were further used to screen for the ANME-1 microorganisms in diffuse vent fluid samples from deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean, and sequences belonging to the ANME-1 cluster were detected in four individual vents. Phylotypes belonging to the ANME-1GBa group dominated in clone libraries from three of these vents. Our findings provide evidence of existence of a putatively extremely thermophilic group of methanotrophic archaea that occur in geographically and geologically distinct marine hydrothermal habitats.


2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (12) ◽  
pp. 4200-4208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Collins ◽  
Brenna A. LaBarre ◽  
Brian S. Wong Won ◽  
Monica V. Shah ◽  
Steven Heng ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTMicrobial consortia confer important benefits to animal and plant hosts, and model associations are necessary to examine these types of host/microbe interactions. The accessory nidamental gland (ANG) is a female reproductive organ found among cephalopod mollusks that contains a consortium of bacteria, the exact function of which is unknown. To begin to understand the role of this organ, the bacterial consortium was characterized in the Hawaiian bobtail squid,Euprymna scolopes, a well-studied model organism for symbiosis research. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of the ANG revealed dense bacterial assemblages of rod- and coccus-shaped cells segregated by morphology into separate, epithelium-lined tubules. The host epithelium was morphologically heterogeneous, containing ciliated and nonciliated cells with various brush border thicknesses. Hemocytes of the host's innate immune system were also found in close proximity to the bacteria within the tubules. A census of 16S rRNA genes suggested thatRhodobacterales, Rhizobiales, andVerrucomicrobiabacteria were prevalent, with members of the genusPhaeobacterdominating the consortium. Analysis of 454-shotgun sequencing data confirmed the presence of members of these taxa and revealed members of a fourth,Flavobacteriaof theBacteroidetesphylum. 16S rRNA fluorescentin situhybridization (FISH) revealed that many ANG tubules were dominated by members of specific taxa, namely,Rhodobacterales,Verrucomicrobia, orCytophaga-Flavobacteria-Bacteroidetes, suggesting symbiont partitioning to specific host tubules. In addition, FISH revealed that bacteria, includingPhaeobacterspecies from the ANG, are likely deposited into the jelly coat of freshly laid eggs. This report establishes the ANG of the invertebrateE. scolopesas a model to examine interactions between a bacterial consortium and its host.


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