Uncovering novel functions of the enigmatic, abundant, and active Anaerolineae in a salt marsh ecosystem
ABSTRACT Anaerolineae, particularly uncultured representatives, are one of the most abundant microbial groups in coastal salt marshes, dominating the belowground rhizosphere, where over half of plant biomass production occurs. However, this class generally remains poorly understood, particularly in...
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American Society for Microbiology
2025-01-01
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| Series: | mSystems |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msystems.01162-24 |
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| author | Paige E. Payne Loren N. Knobbe Patricia Chanton Julian Zaugg Behzad Mortazavi Olivia U. Mason |
| author_facet | Paige E. Payne Loren N. Knobbe Patricia Chanton Julian Zaugg Behzad Mortazavi Olivia U. Mason |
| author_sort | Paige E. Payne |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Anaerolineae, particularly uncultured representatives, are one of the most abundant microbial groups in coastal salt marshes, dominating the belowground rhizosphere, where over half of plant biomass production occurs. However, this class generally remains poorly understood, particularly in a salt marsh context. Here, novel Anaerolineae metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were generated from the salt marsh rhizosphere representing Anaerolineales, Promineifilales, JAAYZQ01, B4-G1, JAFGEY01, UCB3, and Caldilineales orders. Metagenome and metatranscriptome reads were mapped to annotated MAGs, revealing nearly all Anaerolineae encoded and transcribed genes required for oxidation of carbon compounds ranging from simple sugars to complex polysaccharides, fermentation, and carbon fixation. Furthermore, the majority of Anaerolineae expressed genes involved in anaerobic and aerobic respiration and secondary metabolite production. The data revealed that the belowground salt marsh Anaerolineae in the rhizosphere are important players in carbon cycling, including degradation of simple carbon compounds and more recalcitrant plant material, such as cellulose, using a diversity of electron acceptors and represent an unexplored reservoir of novel secondary metabolites.IMPORTANCEGiven that coastal salt marshes are recognized as biogeochemical hotspots, it is fundamentally important to understand the functional role of the microbiome in this ecosystem. In particular, Anaerolineae are abundant members of the salt marsh rhizosphere and have been identified as core microbes, suggesting they play an important functional role. Yet, little is known about the metabolic pathways encoded and expressed in this abundant salt marsh clade. Using an ‘omics-based approach, we determined that Anaerolineae are capable of oxidizing a range of carbon compounds, including simple sugars to complex carbon compounds, while also encoding fermentation and carbon fixation. Surprisingly, Anaerolineae encoded and transcribed genes involved in aerobic respiration, which was unexpected given the reduced nature of the salt marsh rhizosphere. Finally, the majority of Anaerolineae appear to be involved in secondary metabolite production, suggesting that this group represents an unexplored reservoir of novel and important secondary metabolites. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e03a3a9835e845669a9ff4ddbd35e22b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2379-5077 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | American Society for Microbiology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | mSystems |
| spelling | doaj-art-e03a3a9835e845669a9ff4ddbd35e22b2025-01-21T14:00:28ZengAmerican Society for MicrobiologymSystems2379-50772025-01-0110110.1128/msystems.01162-24Uncovering novel functions of the enigmatic, abundant, and active Anaerolineae in a salt marsh ecosystemPaige E. Payne0Loren N. Knobbe1Patricia Chanton2Julian Zaugg3Behzad Mortazavi4Olivia U. Mason5Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USADepartment of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USADepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USAAustralian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, AustraliaDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USADepartment of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USAABSTRACT Anaerolineae, particularly uncultured representatives, are one of the most abundant microbial groups in coastal salt marshes, dominating the belowground rhizosphere, where over half of plant biomass production occurs. However, this class generally remains poorly understood, particularly in a salt marsh context. Here, novel Anaerolineae metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were generated from the salt marsh rhizosphere representing Anaerolineales, Promineifilales, JAAYZQ01, B4-G1, JAFGEY01, UCB3, and Caldilineales orders. Metagenome and metatranscriptome reads were mapped to annotated MAGs, revealing nearly all Anaerolineae encoded and transcribed genes required for oxidation of carbon compounds ranging from simple sugars to complex polysaccharides, fermentation, and carbon fixation. Furthermore, the majority of Anaerolineae expressed genes involved in anaerobic and aerobic respiration and secondary metabolite production. The data revealed that the belowground salt marsh Anaerolineae in the rhizosphere are important players in carbon cycling, including degradation of simple carbon compounds and more recalcitrant plant material, such as cellulose, using a diversity of electron acceptors and represent an unexplored reservoir of novel secondary metabolites.IMPORTANCEGiven that coastal salt marshes are recognized as biogeochemical hotspots, it is fundamentally important to understand the functional role of the microbiome in this ecosystem. In particular, Anaerolineae are abundant members of the salt marsh rhizosphere and have been identified as core microbes, suggesting they play an important functional role. Yet, little is known about the metabolic pathways encoded and expressed in this abundant salt marsh clade. Using an ‘omics-based approach, we determined that Anaerolineae are capable of oxidizing a range of carbon compounds, including simple sugars to complex carbon compounds, while also encoding fermentation and carbon fixation. Surprisingly, Anaerolineae encoded and transcribed genes involved in aerobic respiration, which was unexpected given the reduced nature of the salt marsh rhizosphere. Finally, the majority of Anaerolineae appear to be involved in secondary metabolite production, suggesting that this group represents an unexplored reservoir of novel and important secondary metabolites.https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msystems.01162-24salt marsh microbial ecologymetagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencingmetagenome-assembled genomesmicrobial ecologyJuncusSpartina/Sporobolus |
| spellingShingle | Paige E. Payne Loren N. Knobbe Patricia Chanton Julian Zaugg Behzad Mortazavi Olivia U. Mason Uncovering novel functions of the enigmatic, abundant, and active Anaerolineae in a salt marsh ecosystem mSystems salt marsh microbial ecology metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing metagenome-assembled genomes microbial ecology Juncus Spartina/Sporobolus |
| title | Uncovering novel functions of the enigmatic, abundant, and active Anaerolineae in a salt marsh ecosystem |
| title_full | Uncovering novel functions of the enigmatic, abundant, and active Anaerolineae in a salt marsh ecosystem |
| title_fullStr | Uncovering novel functions of the enigmatic, abundant, and active Anaerolineae in a salt marsh ecosystem |
| title_full_unstemmed | Uncovering novel functions of the enigmatic, abundant, and active Anaerolineae in a salt marsh ecosystem |
| title_short | Uncovering novel functions of the enigmatic, abundant, and active Anaerolineae in a salt marsh ecosystem |
| title_sort | uncovering novel functions of the enigmatic abundant and active anaerolineae in a salt marsh ecosystem |
| topic | salt marsh microbial ecology metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing metagenome-assembled genomes microbial ecology Juncus Spartina/Sporobolus |
| url | https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/msystems.01162-24 |
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