Validating the Cyc2 Neutrophilic Iron Oxidation Pathway Using Meta-omics of Zetaproteobacteria Iron Mats at Marine Hydrothermal Vents
Abstract
Iron oxides are important components of our soil, water supplies, and ecosystems, as they sequester nutrients, carbon, and metals. Microorganisms can form iron oxides, but it is unclear whether this is a significant mechanism in the environment. Unlike other major microbial energy metabolisms, there is no marker gene for iron oxidation, hindering our ability to track these microbes. Here, we investigate a promising possible iron oxidation gene, cyc2 , in iron-rich hydrothermal vents, where iron-oxidizing microbes dominate. We pieced together diverse Zetaproteobacteria genomes, compared these genomes, and analyzed expression of cyc2 and other hypothetical iron oxidation genes. We show that cyc2 is widespread among iron oxidizers and is highly expressed and potentially regulated, making it a good marker for the capacity for iron oxidation and potentially a marker for activity. These findings will help us understand and potentially quantify the impacts of neutrophilic iron oxidizers in a wide variety of marine and terrestrial environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Feb 11, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1128/msystems.00553-19
Entities
People
- Brian T. Glazer
- Clara S Chan
- David A. Butterfield
- Jason B. Sylvan
- Sean M McAllister
- Shawn W Polson
Organizations
- Delaware Space Grant Consortium
- Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean
- National Institutes of Health
- National Science Foundation
- Office of Naval Research
- Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory
- University of Delaware
- University of Hawaiʻi System
- University of Washington