Comparative genomic analysis reveals metabolic flexibility of Woesearchaeota.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 34489402.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-021-25565-9 and PMC identifier 8421398.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
The archaeal phylum Woesearchaeota, within the DPANN superphylum, includes phylogenetically diverse microorganisms that inhabit various environments. Their biology is poorly understood due to the lack of cultured isolates. Here, we analyze datasets of Woesearchaeota 16S rRNA gene sequences and metagenome-assembled genomes to infer global distribution patterns, ecological preferences and metabolic capabilities. Phylogenomic analyses indicate that the phylum can be classified into ten subgroups, termed A-J. While a symbiotic lifestyle is predicted for most, some members of subgroup J might be host-independent. The genomes of several Woesearchaeota, including subgroup J, encode putative [FeFe] hydrogenases (known to be important for fermentation in other organisms), suggesting that these archaea might be anaerobic fermentative heterotrophs.
Medical subject headings
- Archaea
- Archaeal Proteins
- Genome, Archaeal
- Hydrogenase
- RNA, Archaeal
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S