Adaptability as the key to success for the ubiquitous marine nitrite oxidizer Nitrococcus

Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) have conventionally been regarded as a highly specialized functional group responsible for the production of nitrate in the environment. However, recent culture-based studies suggest that they have the capacity to lead alternative lifestyles, but direct environmental...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science advances 2017-11, Vol.3 (11), p.e1700807-e1700807
Main Authors: Füssel, Jessika, Lücker, Sebastian, Yilmaz, Pelin, Nowka, Boris, van Kessel, Maartje A H J, Bourceau, Patric, Hach, Philipp F, Littmann, Sten, Berg, Jasmine, Spieck, Eva, Daims, Holger, Kuypers, Marcel M M, Lam, Phyllis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ectothiorhodospiraceae - classification
Ectothiorhodospiraceae - genetics
Ectothiorhodospiraceae - metabolism
Environmental Studies
Metagenomics
Nitrates - chemistry
Nitrates - metabolism
Nitrites - chemistry
Nitrogen Cycle
Oceans and Seas
Oxidation-Reduction
Phylogeny
SciAdv r-articles
Sulfides - chemistry
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Summary:Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) have conventionally been regarded as a highly specialized functional group responsible for the production of nitrate in the environment. However, recent culture-based studies suggest that they have the capacity to lead alternative lifestyles, but direct environmental evidence for the contribution of marine nitrite oxidizers to other processes has been lacking to date. We report on the alternative biogeochemical functions, worldwide distribution, and sometimes high abundance of the marine NOB . These largely overlooked bacteria are capable of not only oxidizing nitrite but also reducing nitrate and producing nitrous oxide, an ozone-depleting agent and greenhouse gas. Furthermore, can aerobically oxidize sulfide, thereby also engaging in the sulfur cycle. In the currently fast-changing global oceans, these findings highlight the potential functional switches these ubiquitous bacteria can perform in various biogeochemical cycles, each with distinct or even contrasting consequences.
ISSN:2375-2548
2375-2548
DOI:10.1126/sciadv.1700807