Genomic and enzymatic evidence of acetogenesis by anaerobic methanotrophic archaea

Shanshan Yang, Yongxin Lv, Xipeng Liu, Yinzhao Wang, Qilian Fan, Zhifeng Yang, Nico Boon, Fengping Wang, Xiang Xiao and Yu Zhang ()
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Shanshan Yang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yongxin Lv: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Xipeng Liu: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yinzhao Wang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Qilian Fan: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Zhifeng Yang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Nico Boon: Ghent University
Fengping Wang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Xiang Xiao: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yu Zhang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) mediated by anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) is the primary process that provides energy to cold seep ecosystems by converting methane into inorganic carbon. Notably, cold seep ecosystems are dominated by highly divergent heterotrophic microorganisms. The role of the AOM process in supporting heterotrophic population remains unknown. We investigate the acetogenic capacity of ANME-2a in a simulated cold seep ecosystem using high-pressure biotechnology, where both AOM activity and acetate production are detected. The production of acetate from methane is confirmed by isotope-labeling experiments. A complete archaeal acetogenesis pathway is identified in the ANME-2a genome, and apparent acetogenic activity of the key enzymes ADP-forming acetate-CoA ligase and acetyl-CoA synthetase is demonstrated. Here, we propose a modified model of carbon cycling in cold seeps: during AOM process, methane can be converted into organic carbon, such as acetate, which further fuels the heterotrophic community in the ecosystem.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17860-8

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