Hydrogen sensing, hydrogen regulation, and hydrogenotaxis in methanogenic Archaea
Abstract
Methanogens are the only organisms on Earth that reduce carbon dioxide to methane (CH4) and are key players in the global carbon cycle. In the environment, methanogens are predominately found growing in syntrophic interaction with bacterial partners where the bacterium produces hydrogen (H2) through fermentative metabolism; H2 is the primary substrate for methanogenesis. These syntrophic consortia of Bacteria and Archaea grow as biofilm aggregates. While much is known about biofilm formation in Bacteria, relatively little is known about this process in methanogens. We propose to study biofilm formation in the model methanogen Methanococcus maripaludis. Preliminary work suggests that biofilm formation in this organism is H2-dependent. We will employ a random mutagenesis approach to identify the suite of genes that are essential to biofilm formation in methanogens. Additionally, we will test the hypothesis that the H2 dependence of biofilm formation is due to a chemotactic, or hydrogenotactic, response. This will be the first genetic characterization of biofilm formation in a member of the methanogens. It will also be the first study to examine the role of hydrogenotaxis in biofilm formation in any organism.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910024
Entities
People
- Kyle C Costa
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Minnesota