Comparative genomic analysis reveals metabolic flexibility of Woesearchaeota

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 5281 - 14
• Main Authors: Huang, Wen-Cong, Liu, Yang, Zhang, Xinxu, Zhang, Cui-Jing, Zou, Dayu, Zheng, Shiling, Xu, Wei, Luo, Zhuhua, Liu, Fanghua, Li, Meng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 06.09.2021; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 45/22; 45/23; 631/158/855; 631/326/26/2142; 631/326/26/2526; Amino Acid Sequence; Anaerobiosis - genetics; Archaea; Archaea - classification; Archaea - enzymology; Archaea - genetics; Archaeal Proteins - genetics; Archaeal Proteins - metabolism; Biological Evolution; Biology; Datasets; Fermentation; Gene sequencing; Genome, Archaeal; Genomes; Genomic analysis; Heterotrophic Processes - genetics; Heterotrophs; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hydrogenase; Hydrogenase - genetics; Hydrogenase - metabolism; Metabolism; Metagenome; Microorganisms; multidisciplinary; Phylogeny; RNA, Archaeal - genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics; rRNA 16S; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sequence Alignment; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; Subgroups
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25565-9

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. The biology of the archaeal phylum Woesearchaeota is poorly understood due to the lack of cultured isolates. Here, the authors analyze datasets of Woesearchaeota 16 S rRNA gene sequences and metagenome-assembled genomes to infer global distribution patterns, ecological preferences and metabolic capabilities.