Anaerobic bacterial degradation of protein and lipid macromolecules in subarctic marine sediment

Claus Pelikan, Kenneth Wasmund*, Clemens Glombitza, Bela Hausmann, Craig W. Herbold, Mathias Flieder, Alexander Loy

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    46 Citations (Scopus)
    15 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Microorganisms in marine sediments play major roles in marine biogeochemical cycles by mineralizing substantial quantities of organic matter from decaying cells. Proteins and lipids are abundant components of necromass, yet the taxonomic identities of microorganisms that actively degrade them remain poorly resolved. Here, we revealed identities, trophic interactions, and genomic features of bacteria that degraded 13C-labeled proteins and lipids in cold anoxic microcosms containing sulfidic subarctic marine sediment. Supplemented proteins and lipids were rapidly fermented to various volatile fatty acids within 5 days. DNA-stable isotope probing (SIP) suggested Psychrilyobacter atlanticus was an important primary degrader of proteins, and Psychromonas members were important primary degraders of both proteins and lipids. Closely related Psychromonas populations, as represented by distinct 16S rRNA gene variants, differentially utilized either proteins or lipids. DNA-SIP also showed 13C-labeling of various Deltaproteobacteria within 10 days, indicating trophic transfer of carbon to putative sulfate-reducers. Metagenome-assembled genomes revealed the primary hydrolyzers encoded secreted peptidases or lipases, and enzymes for catabolism of protein or lipid degradation products. Psychromonas species are prevalent in diverse marine sediments, suggesting they are important players in organic carbon processing in situ. Together, this study provides new insights into the identities, functions, and genomes of bacteria that actively degrade abundant necromass macromolecules in the seafloor.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalISME Journal
    Volume15
    Issue3
    Pages (from-to)833-847
    Number of pages15
    ISSN1751-7362
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Anaerobic bacterial degradation of protein and lipid macromolecules in subarctic marine sediment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this