The <i>Thermosynechococcus</i> Genus: Wide Environmental Distribution, but a Highly Conserved Genomic Core

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  • Prondzinsky Paula
    Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology
  • Berkemer Sarah J.
    Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science, University Leipzig Competence Center for Scalable Data Services and Solutions
  • Ward Lewis M.
    Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University
  • McGlynn Shawn E.
    Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology

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  • The Thermosynechococcus Genus : Wide Environmental Distribution, but a Highly Conserved Genomic Core

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Abstract

<p>Cyanobacteria thrive in diverse environments. However, questions remain about possible growth limitations in ancient environmental conditions. As a single genus, the Thermosynechococcus are cosmopolitan and live in chemically diverse habitats. To understand the genetic basis for this, we compared the protein coding component of Thermosynechococcus genomes. Supplementing the known genetic diversity of Thermosynechococcus, we report draft metagenome-assembled genomes of two Thermosynechococcus recovered from ferrous carbonate hot springs in Japan. We find that as a genus, Thermosynechococcus is genomically conserved, having a small pan-genome with few accessory genes per individual strain as well as few genes that are unique to the genus. Furthermore, by comparing orthologous protein groups, including an analysis of genes encoding proteins with an iron related function (uptake, storage or utilization), no clear differences in genetic content, or adaptive mechanisms could be detected between genus members, despite the range of environments they inhabit. Overall, our results highlight a seemingly innate ability for Thermosynechococcus to inhabit diverse habitats without having undergone substantial genomic adaptation to accommodate this. The finding of Thermosynechococcus in both hot and high iron environments without adaptation recognizable from the perspective of the proteome has implications for understanding the basis of thermophily within this clade, and also for understanding the possible genetic basis for high iron tolerance in cyanobacteria on early Earth. The conserved core genome may be indicative of an allopatric lifestyle—or reduced genetic complexity of hot spring habitats relative to other environments.</p>

Journal

  • Microbes and Environments

    Microbes and Environments 36 (2), n/a-, 2021

    Japanese Society of Microbial Ecology / Japanese Society of Soil Microbiology / Taiwan Society of Microbial Ecology / Japanese Society of Plant Microbe Interactions / Japanese Society for Extremophiles

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