Abstract
Little is known about how lithoautotrophic primary production is connected to microbial organotrophic consumption in hydrothermal systems. Using a multifaceted approach, we analysed the structure and metabolic capabilities within a biofilm growing on the surface of a black smoker chimney in the Loki's Castle vent field. Imaging revealed the presence of rod-shaped Bacteroidetes growing as ectobionts on long, sheathed microbial filaments (> 100 μm) affiliated with the Sulfurovum genus within Epsilonproteobacteria. The filaments were composed of a thick (> 200 nm) stable polysaccharide, representing a substantial fraction of organic carbon produced by primary production. An integrated -omics approach enabled us to assess the metabolic potential and in situ metabolism of individual taxonomic and morphological groups identified by imaging. Specifically, we provide evidence that organotrophic Bacteroidetes attach to and glide along the surface of Sulfurovum filaments utilizing organic polymers produced by the lithoautotrophic Sulfurovum. Furthermore, in situ expression of acetyl-CoA synthetase by Sulfurovum suggested the ability to assimilate acetate, indicating recycling of organic matter in the biofilm. This study expands our understanding of the lifestyles of Epsilonproteobacteria in hydrothermal vents, their metabolic properties and co-operative interactions in deep-sea hydrothermal vent food webs.
Highlights
1.1 BackgroundIn recent years an awareness and need for sustainability, ecological friendly actions and health have grown
The results revealed a generally higher frequency of proteases compared to carbohydrate-active enzymes in the Arctic Mid-OceanRidge (AMOR) hydrothermal vent environments (Table 3)
The results presented in this project have increased the understanding of the function and interaction within microbial communities in deep-sea hydrothermal systems
Summary
1.1 BackgroundIn recent years an awareness and need for sustainability, ecological friendly actions and health have grown. With increasing population size and global industrialization there is an expanding demand of food, water, energy, healthcare and new materials produced by environmentally beneficial applications.. Biotechnology is defined as the technical application of living organisms, systems and processes as well as their metabolic products.. Biotechnology is defined as the technical application of living organisms, systems and processes as well as their metabolic products.3 This technology has wide-spread application in various branches of major industrial areas including health care, food, non-food and the environment. Amino acids, organic acids, detergents and bio-catalysts are produced in chemical industry, whereas the environmental industry uses microbial products for bioremediation and production of bioenergy (Demain and Adrio 2008). The global market, estimated to $3.3 billion in OECD
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