A Metagenome-Based Investigation of Gene Relationships for Non-Substrate-Associated Microbial phosphorus cycling in the water column of streams and rivers

• Erick S. LeBrun ^[1] ; Ryan S. King ^[1] ; Jeffrey A. Back ^[1] ; Sanghoon Kang ^[1]
  1. [1] Baylor University

     Baylor University

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Microbial ecology, ISSN-e 1432-184X, ISSN 0095-3628, Vol. 76, Nº. 4, 2018, págs. 856-865
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Phosphorus (P) is a nutrient of primary importance in all living systems, and it is especially important in streams and rivers which are sensitive to anthropogenic P inputs and eutrophication. Microbes are accepted as the primary mineralizers and solubilizers of P improving bioavailability for organisms at all trophic levels. Here, we use a genomics approach with metagenome sequencing of 24 temperate streams and rivers representing a total P (TP) gradient to identify relationships between functional genes, functional gene groupings, P, and organisms within the P biogeochemical cycle. Combining information from network analyses, functional groupings, and system P levels, we have constructed a System Relational Overview of Gene Groupings (SROGG) which is a cohesive system level representation of P cycle gene and nutrient relationships. Using SROGG analysis in concert with other statistical approaches, we found that the compositional makeup of P cycle genes is strongly correlated to environmental P whereas absolute abundance of P genes shows no significant correlation to environmental P. We also found orthophosphate (PO43−) to be the dominant factor correlating with system P cycle gene composition with little evidence of a strong organic phosphorous correlation present even in more oligotrophic streams.