Insights into microbial involvement in desert varnish formation retrieved from metagenomic analysis

Environmental Microbiology Reports
Naama Lang-YonaBettina Weber

Abstract

Desert varnishes are dark rock coatings observed in arid environments and might resemble Mn-rich coatings found on Martian rocks. Their formation mechanism is not fully understood and the possible microbial involvement is under debate. In this study, we applied DNA metagenomic Shotgun sequencing of varnish and surrounding soil to evaluate the composition of the microbial community and its potential metabolic function. We found that the α diversity was lower in varnish compared to soil samples (p value < 0.05), suggesting distinct populations with significantly higher abundance of Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria within the varnish. Additionally, we observed increased levels of transition metal metabolic processes in varnish compared to soil samples. Nevertheless, potentially relevant enzymes for varnish formation were detected at low to insignificant levels in both niches, indicating no current direct microbial involvement in Mn oxidation. This finding is supported by quantitative genomic analysis, elemental analysis, fluorescence imaging and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. We thus conclude that the distinct microbial communities detected in desert varnish originate from settled Aeolian microbes, which c...Continue Reading

References

Jun 17, 1999·FEBS Letters·C Höfer, D Schlosser
Aug 30, 2001·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·C A Francis, B M Tebo
Apr 1, 2005·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Samuel M WebbBradley M Tebo
Feb 8, 2006·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·K R KuhlmanR L Crawford
Jun 15, 2007·Environmental Microbiology·Anna A Gorbushina
Sep 11, 1981·Science·R I Dorn, T M Oberlander
Jul 30, 1954·Science·C B Hunt
Aug 12, 2009·Astrobiology·David KrinsleyBarry DiGregorio
Sep 26, 2009·Accounts of Chemical Research·Thomas G SpiroBradley M Tebo
Apr 11, 2012·Molecular Ecology·Shadi ShokrallaMehrdad Hajibabaei
Jul 3, 2013·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Cristina N ButterfieldBradley M Tebo
Oct 1, 1983·Microbial Ecology·S Taylor-GeorgeJ B Adams
Feb 5, 2014·Biochemistry. Biokhimii︠a︡·A G Gabdulkhakov, M V Dontsova
Mar 24, 2016·Environmental Science & Technology·Yinon MazarYinon Rudich

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 16, 2019·FEMS Microbiology Ecology·Alfonso EspositoEngy Ahmed
Jun 30, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Valeria C Culotta, Asia S Wildeman
Jun 24, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Usha F LingappaWoodward W Fischer

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.