Catabolism and interactions of uncultured organisms shaped by eco-thermodynamics in methanogenic bioprocesses
- Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States); National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba (Japan); University of Oklahoma
- Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States); National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba (Japan)
- Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba (Japan)
- City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon (Hong Kong)
- Imperial College, London (United Kingdom)
- Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States)
We currently understand the carbon cycle in methanogenic environments as trophic interactions revolving around interspecies H2 transfer between organotrophs and methanogens. However, many H2-generating processes are thermodynamically sensitive to H2 accumulation and can be inhibited by high H2 concentrations produced by other metabolisms. To uncover how anaerobes combat this H2 conflict in situ, we employ metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to revisit a model ecosystem that has inspired many foundational discoveries in anaerobic ecology – methanogenic bioreactors. Through analysis of 15 anaerobic digesters, we recover 1343 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and corresponding gene expression profiles for diverse uncultured lineages spanning 66 phyla and reconstruct their individual metabolic capacities. We discover that diverse uncultured organotrophic populations can drive H2-sensitive degradation through (i) metabolic coupling with concurrent H2-tolerant catabolism, (ii) unprecedented shifts from H2 generation to CO2-reducing formate transfer and cytochrome/pili-mediated direct interspecies electron transfer for avoiding thermodynamic conflict, and (iii) integration of low-concentration O2 as an ancillary thermodynamics-enhancing electron sink. Archaeal populations in situ support the above processes through novel metabolisms distinct from conventional methanogenesis – high-affinity H2 oxidation driven by methyl-reducing methanogenesis and concomitant uptake of formate, electrons, and acetate from HS metabolism by Methanothrix. In total, synthesis of omics analyses and eco-thermodynamics reveals overlooked metabolic behavior and interactions of uncultured organisms that address a central issue in methanogenic carbon cycling, thermodynamic conflict among diverse concurrent metabolic processes.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division
- Grant/Contract Number:
- FG02-96ER20214
- OSTI ID:
- 1644640
- Journal Information:
- Microbiome, Journal Name: Microbiome Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 8; ISSN 2049-2618
- Publisher:
- BioMed CentralCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Syntrophus conductive pili demonstrate that common hydrogen-donating syntrophs can have a direct electron transfer option
Methanogens: Syntrophic Metabolism [Reference Work Chapter]
Methanogens: Syntrophic Metabolism
Journal Article
·
Wed Jan 01 19:00:00 EST 2020
· The ISME Journal
·
OSTI ID:1604770
Methanogens: Syntrophic Metabolism [Reference Work Chapter]
Other
·
Wed Mar 14 00:00:00 EDT 2018
·
OSTI ID:1604970
Methanogens: Syntrophic Metabolism
Other
·
Wed Mar 14 00:00:00 EDT 2018
·
OSTI ID:1774023