scholarly journals Genetic Evidence for Two Carbon Fixation Pathways (the Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle and the Reverse Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle) in Symbiotic and Free-Living Bacteria

mSphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxim Rubin-Blum ◽  
Nicole Dubilier ◽  
Manuel Kleiner
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Electron Flow ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid ◽  
Heterodisulfide Reductase ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizer ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizing

ABSTRACT Very few bacteria are able to fix carbon via both the reverse tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) and the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycles, such as symbiotic, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria that are the sole carbon source for the marine tubeworm Riftia pachyptila, the fastest-growing invertebrate. To date, the coexistence of these two carbon fixation pathways had not been found in a cultured bacterium and could thus not be studied in detail. Moreover, it was not clear if these two pathways were encoded in the same symbiont individual, or if two symbiont populations, each with one of the pathways, coexisted within tubeworms. With comparative genomics, we show that Thioflavicoccus mobilis, a cultured, free-living gammaproteobacterial sulfur oxidizer, possesses the genes for both carbon fixation pathways. Here, we also show that both the CBB and rTCA pathways are likely encoded in the genome of the sulfur-oxidizing symbiont of the tubeworm Escarpia laminata from deep-sea asphalt volcanoes in the Gulf of Mexico. Finally, we provide genomic and transcriptomic data suggesting a potential electron flow toward the rTCA cycle carboxylase 2-oxoglutarate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, via a rare variant of NADH dehydrogenase/heterodisulfide reductase in the E. laminata symbiont. This electron-bifurcating complex, together with NAD(P)+ transhydrogenase and Na+ translocating Rnf membrane complexes, may improve the efficiency of the rTCA cycle in both the symbiotic and the free-living sulfur oxidizer. IMPORTANCE Primary production on Earth is dependent on autotrophic carbon fixation, which leads to the incorporation of carbon dioxide into biomass. Multiple metabolic pathways have been described for autotrophic carbon fixation, but most autotrophic organisms were assumed to have the genes for only one of these pathways. Our finding of a cultivable bacterium with two carbon fixation pathways in its genome, the rTCA and the CBB cycle, opens the possibility to study the potential benefits of having these two pathways and the interplay between them. Additionally, this will allow the investigation of the unusual and potentially very efficient mechanism of electron flow that could drive the rTCA cycle in these autotrophs. Such studies will deepen our understanding of carbon fixation pathways and could provide new avenues for optimizing carbon fixation in biotechnological applications.

scholarly journals Genetic evidence for two carbon fixation pathways in symbiotic and free-living bacteria: The Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle and the reverse tricarboxylic acid cycle

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxim Rubin-Blum ◽  
Nicole Dubilier ◽  
Manuel Kleiner
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Electron Flow ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid ◽  
Riftia Pachyptila ◽  
Heterodisulfide Reductase ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizer ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizing

AbstractVery few bacteria are able to fix carbon via both the reverse tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) and the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycles, such as symbiotic, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria that are the sole carbon source for the marine tubeworm Riftia pachyptila, the fastest growing invertebrate. To date, this co-existence of two carbon fixation pathways had not been found in a cultured bacterium and could thus not be studied in detail. Moreover, it was not clear if these two pathways were encoded in the same symbiont individual, or if two symbiont populations, each with one of the pathways, co-existed within tubeworms. With comparative genomics, we show that Thioflavicoccus mobilis, a cultured, free-living gammaproteobacterial sulfur oxidizer, possesses the genes for both carbon fixation pathways. Here, we also show that both the CBB and rTCA pathways are likely encoded in the genome of the sulfur-oxidizing symbiont of the tubeworm Escarpia laminata from deep-sea asphalt volcanoes in the Gulf of Mexico. Finally, we provide genomic and transcriptomic data suggesting a potential electron flow towards the rTCA cycle carboxylase 2-oxoglutarate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, via a rare variant of NADH dehydrogenase/heterodisulfide reductase. This electron bifurcating complex, together with NAD(P)+ transhydrogenase and Na+ translocating Rnf membrane complexes may improve the efficiency of the rTCA cycle in both the symbiotic and the free-living sulfur oxidizer.ImportancePrimary production on Earth is dependent on autotrophic carbon fixation, which leads to the incorporation of carbon dioxide into biomass. Multiple metabolic pathways have been described for autotrophic carbon fixation, but most autotrophic organisms were assumed to have the genes for only one of these pathways. Our finding of a cultivable bacterium with two carbon fixation pathways in its genome opens the possibility to study the potential benefits of having two pathways and the interplay between these pathways. Additionally, this will allow the investigation of the unusual, and potentially very efficient mechanism of electron flow that could drive the rTCA cycle in these autotrophs. Such studies will deepen our understanding of carbon fixation pathways and could provide new avenues for optimizing carbon fixation in biotechnological applications.

scholarly journals Horizontal acquisition of a patchwork Calvin cycle by symbiotic and free-living Campylobacterota (formerly Epsilonproteobacteria)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrien Assié ◽  
Nikolaus Leisch ◽  
Dimitri V. Meier ◽  
Harald Gruber-Vodicka ◽  
Halina E. Tegetmeyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Calvin Cycle ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizing ◽  
Reductive Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Horizontal Acquisition

AbstractAlthough the majority of known autotrophs use the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle for carbon fixation, all currently described autotrophs from the Campylobacterota (previously Epsilonproteobacteria) use the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle (rTCA) instead. We discovered campylobacterotal epibionts (“Candidatus Thiobarba”) of deep-sea mussels that have acquired a complete CBB cycle and lost key genes of the rTCA cycle. Intriguingly, the phylogenies of campylobacterotal CBB genes suggest they were acquired in multiple transfers from Gammaproteobacteria closely related to sulfur-oxidizing endosymbionts associated with the mussels, as well as from Betaproteobacteria. We hypothesize that “Ca. Thiobarba” switched from the rTCA to a fully functional CBB cycle during its evolution, by acquiring genes from multiple sources, including co-occurring symbionts. We also found key CBB cycle genes in free-living Campylobacterota, suggesting that the CBB cycle may be more widespread in this phylum than previously known. Metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics confirmed high expression of CBB cycle genes in mussel-associated “Ca. Thiobarba”. Direct stable isotope fingerprinting showed that “Ca. Thiobarba” has typical CBB signatures, additional evidence that it uses this cycle for carbon fixation. Our discovery calls into question current assumptions about the distribution of carbon fixation pathways across the tree of life, and the interpretation of stable isotope measurements in the environment.

scholarly journals Horizontal acquisition of a patchwork Calvin cycle by symbiotic and free-living Campylobacterota (formerly Epsilonproteobacteria)

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrien Assié ◽  
Nikolaus Leisch ◽  
Dimitri V. Meier ◽  
Harald Gruber-Vodicka ◽  
Halina E. Tegetmeyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Calvin Cycle ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizing ◽  
Reductive Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Horizontal Acquisition

Abstract Most autotrophs use the Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle for carbon fixation. In contrast, all currently described autotrophs from the Campylobacterota (previously Epsilonproteobacteria) use the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle (rTCA) instead. We discovered campylobacterotal epibionts (“Candidatus Thiobarba”) of deep-sea mussels that have acquired a complete CBB cycle and may have lost most key genes of the rTCA cycle. Intriguingly, the phylogenies of campylobacterotal CBB cycle genes suggest they were acquired in multiple transfers from Gammaproteobacteria closely related to sulfur-oxidizing endosymbionts associated with the mussels, as well as from Betaproteobacteria. We hypothesize that “Ca. Thiobarba” switched from the rTCA cycle to a fully functional CBB cycle during its evolution, by acquiring genes from multiple sources, including co-occurring symbionts. We also found key CBB cycle genes in free-living Campylobacterota, suggesting that the CBB cycle may be more widespread in this phylum than previously known. Metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics confirmed high expression of CBB cycle genes in mussel-associated “Ca. Thiobarba”. Direct stable isotope fingerprinting showed that “Ca. Thiobarba” has typical CBB signatures, suggesting that it uses this cycle for carbon fixation. Our discovery calls into question current assumptions about the distribution of carbon fixation pathways in microbial lineages, and the interpretation of stable isotope measurements in the environment.

scholarly journals Acquisition of a Novel Sulfur-Oxidizing Symbiont in the Gutless Marine WormInanidrilus exumae

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Bergin ◽  
C. Wentrup ◽  
N. Brewig ◽  
A. Blazejak ◽  
C. Erséus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Gene Sequence ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequence ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizer ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizing ◽  
Specific Association

ABSTRACTGutless phallodrilines are marine annelid worms without a mouth or gut, which live in an obligate association with multiple bacterial endosymbionts that supply them with nutrition. In this study, we discovered an unusual symbiont community in the gutless phallodrilineInanidrilus exumaethat differs markedly from the microbiomes of all 22 of the other host species examined. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and fluorescencein situhybridization revealed thatI. exumaeharbors cooccurring gamma-, alpha-, and deltaproteobacterial symbionts, while all other known host species harbor gamma- and either alpha- or deltaproteobacterial symbionts. Surprisingly, the primary chemoautotrophic sulfur oxidizer “CandidatusThiosymbion” that occurs in all other gutless phallodriline hosts does not appear to be present inI. exumae. Instead,I. exumaeharbors a bacterial endosymbiont that resembles “Ca. Thiosymbion” morphologically and metabolically but originates from a novel lineage within the classGammaproteobacteria. This endosymbiont, named Gamma 4 symbiont here, had a 16S rRNA gene sequence that differed by at least 7% from those of other free-living and symbiotic bacteria and by 10% from that of “Ca. Thiosymbion.” Sulfur globules in the Gamma 4 symbiont cells, as well as the presence of genes characteristic for autotrophy (cbbL) and sulfur oxidation (aprA), indicate that this symbiont is a chemoautotrophic sulfur oxidizer. Our results suggest that a novel lineage of free-living bacteria was able to establish a stable and specific association withI. exumaeand appears to have displaced the “Ca. Thiosymbion” symbionts originally associated with these hosts.IMPORTANCEAll 22 gutless marine phallodriline species examined to date live in a highly specific association with endosymbiotic, chemoautotrophic sulfur oxidizers called “Ca. Thiosymbion.” These symbionts evolved from a single common ancestor and represent the ancestral trait for this host group. They are transmitted vertically and assumed to be in transition to becoming obligate endosymbionts. It is therefore surprising that despite this ancient, evolutionary relationship between phallodriline hosts and “Ca. Thiosymbion,” these symbionts are apparently no longer present inInanidrilus exumae. They appear to have been displaced by a novel lineage of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria only very distantly related to “Ca. Thiosymbion.” Thus, this study highlights the remarkable plasticity of both animals and bacteria in establishing beneficial associations: the phallodriline hosts were able to acquire and maintain symbionts from two very different lineages of bacteria, while sulfur-oxidizing bacteria from two very distantly related lineages were able to independently establish symbiotic relationships with phallodriline hosts.

scholarly journals Stochastic Variation in Expression of the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Produces Persister Cells

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliza A. Zalis ◽  
Austin S. Nuxoll ◽  
Sylvie Manuse ◽  
Geremy Clair ◽  
Lauren C. Radlinski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Persister Cells ◽  
Stochastic Variation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Atp Levels

ABSTRACT Chronic bacterial infections are difficult to eradicate, though they are caused primarily by drug-susceptible pathogens. Antibiotic-tolerant persisters largely account for this paradox. In spite of their significance in the recalcitrance of chronic infections, the mechanism of persister formation is poorly understood. We previously reported that a decrease in ATP levels leads to drug tolerance in Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. We reasoned that stochastic fluctuation in the expression of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes can produce cells with low energy levels. S. aureus knockouts in glutamate dehydrogenase, 2-oxoketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinyl coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase, and fumarase have low ATP levels and exhibit increased tolerance of fluoroquinolone, aminoglycoside, and β-lactam antibiotics. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis of TCA genes shows a broad Gaussian distribution in a population, with differences of over 3 orders of magnitude in the levels of expression between individual cells. Sorted cells with low levels of TCA enzyme expression have an increased tolerance of antibiotic treatment. These findings suggest that fluctuations in the levels of expression of energy-generating components serve as a mechanism of persister formation. IMPORTANCE Persister cells are rare phenotypic variants that are able to survive antibiotic treatment. Unlike resistant bacteria, which have specific mechanisms to prevent antibiotics from binding to their targets, persisters evade antibiotic killing by entering a tolerant nongrowing state. Persisters have been implicated in chronic infections in multiple species, and growing evidence suggests that persister cells are responsible for many cases of antibiotic treatment failure. New antibiotic treatment strategies aim to kill tolerant persister cells more effectively, but the mechanism of tolerance has remained unclear until now.

scholarly journals Metabolomics of Escherichia coli Treated with the Antimicrobial Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Molecule CORM-3 Reveals Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle as Major Target

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra M. Carvalho ◽  
Joana Marques ◽  
Carlos C. Romão ◽  
Lígia M. Saraiva
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Glutamate Synthase ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Iron Sulfur

ABSTRACT In the last decade, carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs) have been shown to act against several pathogens and to be promising antimicrobials. However, the understanding of the mode of action and reactivity of these compounds on bacterial cells is still deficient. In this work, we used a metabolomics approach to probe the toxicity of the ruthenium(II) complex Ru(CO)3Cl(glycinate) (CORM-3) on Escherichia coli. By resorting to 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and enzymatic activities, we show that CORM-3-treated E. coli accumulates larger amounts of glycolytic intermediates, independently of the oxygen growth conditions. The work provides several evidences that CORM-3 inhibits glutamate synthesis and the iron-sulfur enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and that the glycolysis pathway is triggered in order to establish an energy and redox homeostasis balance. Accordingly, supplementation of the growth medium with fumarate, α-ketoglutarate, glutamate, and amino acids cancels the toxicity of CORM-3. Importantly, inhibition of the iron-sulfur enzymes glutamate synthase, aconitase, and fumarase is only observed for compounds that liberate carbon monoxide. Altogether, this work reveals that the antimicrobial action of CORM-3 results from intracellular glutamate deficiency and inhibition of nitrogen and TCA cycles.

scholarly journals Abiotic and biotic processes that drive carboxylation and decarboxylation reactions

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (5) ◽  
pp. 609-615
Author(s):  
Cody S. Sheik ◽  
H. James Cleaves ◽  
Kristin Johnson-Finn ◽  
Donato Giovannelli ◽  
Thomas L. Kieft ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Prebiotic Chemistry ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Planetary Evolution ◽  
Broad Overview

Abstract Carboxylation and decarboxylation are two fundamental classes of reactions that impact the cycling of carbon in and on Earth’s crust. These reactions play important roles in both long-term (primarily abiotic) and short-term (primarily biotic) carbon cycling. Long-term cycling is important in the subsurface and at subduction zones where organic carbon is decomposed and outgassed or recycled back to the mantle. Short-term reactions are driven by biology and have the ability to rapidly convert CO2 to biomass and vice versa. For instance, carboxylation is a critical reaction in primary production and metabolic pathways like photosynthesis in which sunlight provides energy to drive carbon fixation, whereas decarboxylation is a critical reaction in metabolic pathways like respiration and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Early life and prebiotic chemistry on Earth likely relied heavily upon the abiotic synthesis of carboxylic acids. Over time, life has diversified (de)carboxylation reactions and incorporated them into many facets of cellular metabolism. Here we present a broad overview of the importance of carboxylation and decarboxylation reactions from both abiotic and biotic perspectives to highlight the importance of these reactions and compounds to planetary evolution.

scholarly journals Blocks in Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle of Salmonella enterica Cause Global Perturbation of Carbon Storage, Motility, and Host-Pathogen Interaction

mSphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janina Noster ◽  
Nicole Hansmeier ◽  
Marcus Persicke ◽  
Tzu-Chiao Chao ◽  
Rainer Kurre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Glycogen Synthesis ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Carbon Fluxes ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acid Cycle ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium

ABSTRACT The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is a central metabolic hub in most cells. Virulence functions of bacterial pathogens such as facultative intracellular Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) are closely connected to cellular metabolism. During systematic analyses of mutant strains with defects in the TCA cycle, a strain deficient in all fumarase isoforms (ΔfumABC) elicited a unique metabolic profile. Alongside fumarate, S. Typhimurium ΔfumABC accumulates intermediates of the glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway. Analyses by metabolomics and proteomics revealed that fumarate accumulation redirects carbon fluxes toward glycogen synthesis due to high (p)ppGpp levels. In addition, we observed reduced abundance of CheY, leading to altered motility and increased phagocytosis of S. Typhimurium by macrophages. Deletion of glycogen synthase restored normal carbon fluxes and phagocytosis and partially restored levels of CheY. We propose that utilization of accumulated fumarate as carbon source induces a status similar to exponential- to stationary-growth-phase transition by switching from preferred carbon sources to fumarate, which increases (p)ppGpp levels and thereby glycogen synthesis. Thus, we observed a new form of interplay between metabolism of S. Typhimurium and cellular functions and virulence. IMPORTANCE We performed perturbation analyses of the tricarboxylic acid cycle of the gastrointestinal pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The defect of fumarase activity led to accumulation of fumarate but also resulted in a global alteration of carbon fluxes, leading to increased storage of glycogen. Gross alterations were observed in proteome and metabolome compositions of fumarase-deficient Salmonella. In turn, these changes were linked to aberrant motility patterns of the mutant strain and resulted in highly increased phagocytic uptake by macrophages. Our findings indicate that basic cellular functions and specific virulence functions in Salmonella critically depend on the proper function of the primary metabolism.

scholarly journals A Dysfunctional Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Enhances Fitness of Staphylococcus epidermidis During β-Lactam Stress

mBio ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinai Chittezham Thomas ◽  
Lauren C. Kinkead ◽  
Ashley Janssen ◽  
Carolyn R. Schaeffer ◽  
Keith M. Woods ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Citric Acid ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Citric Acid Cycle ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Tca Cycle ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acid Cycle

ABSTRACT A recent controversial hypothesis suggested that the bactericidal action of antibiotics is due to the generation of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS), a process requiring the citric acid cycle (tricarboxylic acid [TCA] cycle). To test this hypothesis, we assessed the ability of oxacillin to induce ROS production and cell death in Staphylococcus epidermidis strain 1457 and an isogenic citric acid cycle mutant. Our results confirm a contributory role for TCA-dependent ROS in enhancing susceptibility of S. epidermidis toward β-lactam antibiotics and also revealed a propensity for clinical isolates to accumulate TCA cycle dysfunctions presumably as a way to tolerate these antibiotics. The increased protection from β-lactam antibiotics could result from pleiotropic effects of a dysfunctional TCA cycle, including increased resistance to oxidative stress, reduced susceptibility to autolysis, and a more positively charged cell surface. IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus epidermidis, a normal inhabitant of the human skin microflora, is the most common cause of indwelling medical device infections. In the present study, we analyzed 126 clinical S. epidermidis isolates and discovered that tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle dysfunctions are relatively common in the clinical environment. We determined that a dysfunctional TCA cycle enables S. epidermidis to resist oxidative stress and alter its cell surface properties, making it less susceptible to β-lactam antibiotics.

scholarly journals Systems-informed genome mining for electroautotrophic microbial production

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Abel ◽  
Jacob M. Hilzinger ◽  
Adam P. Arkin ◽  
Douglas S. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Microbial Respiration ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Genome Mining ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid ◽  
Nitrate Respiration ◽  
Fixation Rate ◽  
Acid Cycle ◽  
Carbon Molecules ◽  
Reductive Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle

AbstractMicrobial electrosynthesis (MES) systems can store renewable energy and CO2 in many-carbon molecules inaccessible to abiotic electrochemistry. Here, we develop a multiphysics model to investigate the fundamental and practical limits of MES enabled by direct electron uptake and we identify organisms in which this biotechnological CO2-fixation strategy can be realized. Systematic model comparisons of microbial respiration and carbon fixation strategies revealed that, under aerobic conditions, the CO2 fixation rate is limited to <6 μmol/cm2/hr by O2 mass transport despite efficient electron utilization. In contrast, anaerobic nitrate respiration enables CO2 fixation rates >50 μmol/cm2/hr for microbes using the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle. Phylogenetic analysis, validated by recapitulating experimental demonstrations of electroautotrophy, uncovered multiple probable electroautotrophic organisms and a significant number of genetically tractable strains that require heterologous expression of <5 proteins to gain electroautotrophic function. The model and analysis presented here will guide microbial engineering and reactor design for practical MES systems.

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