Curated Papers > Recent high-impact research in "Synthetic Biology" (IF≥30, last 5 years)

Sulfur metabolites in the pelagic ocean.

Literature Information

DOI	10.1038/s41579-019-0250-1
PMID	31485034
Journal	Nature reviews. Microbiology
Impact Factor	103.3
JCR Quartile	Q1
Publication Year	2019
Times Cited	61
Keywords	sulfur metabolites, marine microorganisms, organic sulfur compounds, ecological links
Literature Type	Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review
ISSN	1740-1526
Pages	665-678
Issue	17(11)
Authors	Mary Ann Moran, Bryndan P Durham

TL;DR

This review highlights the significant role of organic sulfur compounds released by marine phytoplankton in facilitating nutrient cycling and interactions among marine microorganisms, particularly bacteria and archaea. By examining the mechanisms of sulfur metabolite release and uptake, the study underscores their ecological importance in supporting microbial communities and contributing to Earth's biogeochemical processes.

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sulfur metabolites · marine microorganisms · organic sulfur compounds · ecological links

Abstract

Marine microorganisms play crucial roles in Earth's element cycles through the production and consumption of organic matter. One of the elements whose fate is governed by microbial activities is sulfur, an essential constituent of biomass and a crucial player in climate processes. With sulfur already being well studied in the ocean in its inorganic forms, organic sulfur compounds are emerging as important chemical links between marine phytoplankton and bacteria. The high concentration of inorganic sulfur in seawater, which can readily be reduced by phytoplankton, provides a freely available source of sulfur for biomolecule synthesis. Mechanisms such as exudation and cell lysis release these phytoplankton-derived sulfur metabolites into seawater, from which they are rapidly assimilated by marine bacteria and archaea. Energy-limited bacteria use scavenged sulfur metabolites as substrates or for the synthesis of vitamins, cofactors, signalling compounds and antibiotics. In this Review, we examine the current knowledge of sulfur metabolites released into and taken up from the marine dissolved organic matter pool by microorganisms, and the ecological links facilitated by their diversity in structures, oxidation states and chemistry.

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Primary Questions Addressed

1. What are the specific roles of different sulfur metabolites in the interactions between marine phytoplankton and bacteria?
2. How do the structures and oxidation states of sulfur metabolites influence their ecological functions in the pelagic ocean?
3. In what ways do sulfur metabolites contribute to the overall productivity and nutrient cycling in marine ecosystems?
4. What are the implications of sulfur metabolite dynamics for understanding climate processes in the ocean?
5. How do variations in environmental conditions affect the production and assimilation of sulfur metabolites by marine microorganisms?

Key Findings

1. Research Background and Objectives: The research focuses on the crucial roles of marine microorganisms in the elemental cycles of the ocean, particularly emphasizing sulfur. As an essential component of biomass and an integral player in climate regulation, understanding the dynamics of sulfur in marine ecosystems is vital. While inorganic sulfur has been extensively studied, organic sulfur compounds are gaining attention due to their emerging importance as intermediaries between marine phytoplankton and bacteria. The objective of this review is to synthesize current knowledge on the production, release, and uptake of sulfur metabolites in the pelagic ocean and to explore the ecological implications of their chemical diversity.

2. Main Methods and Findings: The review compiles and analyzes existing literature on sulfur metabolites, focusing on their dynamics in the marine dissolved organic matter pool. It highlights mechanisms such as phytoplankton exudation and cell lysis that contribute to the release of organic sulfur compounds into seawater. The findings indicate that these metabolites are rapidly assimilated by marine bacteria and archaea, which utilize them as substrates for energy or for synthesizing essential biomolecules, including vitamins, cofactors, signaling compounds, and antibiotics. The review also discusses the variability in sulfur metabolites concerning their structures, oxidation states, and chemical properties, underscoring the complexity of interactions within marine microbial communities.

3. Core Conclusions: The review concludes that organic sulfur metabolites are pivotal in facilitating interactions between phytoplankton and bacteria in the pelagic ocean. These metabolites serve as crucial substrates for various microbial processes, influencing nutrient cycling and energy flow in marine ecosystems. The diversity and rapid turnover of these compounds highlight their significance in maintaining ecological balance and supporting microbial life in nutrient-limited environments.

4. Research Significance and Impact: This research enhances our understanding of sulfur cycling in marine ecosystems, revealing the intricate relationships between primary producers and microbial heterotrophs. By emphasizing the role of organic sulfur compounds, the study suggests that more attention should be paid to these metabolites in future oceanographic research. The insights gained may have broader implications for understanding climate processes and the resilience of marine ecosystems amidst changing environmental conditions. Additionally, this knowledge could inform strategies for managing marine resources and addressing issues related to ocean health and climate change.

Literatures Citing This Work

1. Ectoine from Bacterial and Algal Origin Is a Compatible Solute in Microalgae. - Simona Fenizia;Kathleen Thume;Marino Wirgenings;Georg Pohnert - Marine drugs (2020)
2. Mixotrophy in marine picocyanobacteria: use of organic compounds by Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus. - M C Muñoz-Marín;G Gómez-Baena;A López-Lozano;J A Moreno-Cabezuelo;J Díez;J M García-Fernández - The ISME journal (2020)
3. Sulfonium Acids Loaded onto an Unusual Thiotemplate Assembly Line Construct the Cyclopropanol Warhead of a Burkholderia Virulence Factor. - Felix Trottmann;Keishi Ishida;Jakob Franke;Aleksa Stanišić;Mie Ishida-Ito;Hajo Kries;Georg Pohnert;Christian Hertweck - Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English) (2020)
4. Single-cell bacterial transcription measurements reveal the importance of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) hotspots in ocean sulfur cycling. - Cherry Gao;Vicente I Fernandez;Kang Soo Lee;Simona Fenizia;Georg Pohnert;Justin R Seymour;Jean-Baptiste Raina;Roman Stocker - Nature communications (2020)
5. Two radical-dependent mechanisms for anaerobic degradation of the globally abundant organosulfur compound dihydroxypropanesulfonate. - Jiayi Liu;Yifeng Wei;Lianyun Lin;Lin Teng;Jinyu Yin;Qiang Lu;Jiawei Chen;Yuchun Zheng;Yaxin Li;Runyao Xu;Weixiang Zhai;Yangping Liu;Yanhong Liu;Peng Cao;Ee Lui Ang;Huimin Zhao;Zhiguang Yuchi;Yan Zhang - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2020)
6. Depth-Dependent Variables Shape Community Structure and Functionality in the Prince Edward Islands. - Boitumelo Sandra Phoma;Thulani Peter Makhalanyane - Microbial ecology (2021)
7. Bacteria are important dimethylsulfoniopropionate producers in marine aphotic and high-pressure environments. - Yanfen Zheng;Jinyan Wang;Shun Zhou;Yunhui Zhang;Ji Liu;Chun-Xu Xue;Beth T Williams;Xiuxiu Zhao;Li Zhao;Xiao-Yu Zhu;Chuang Sun;Hong-Hai Zhang;Tian Xiao;Gui-Peng Yang;Jonathan D Todd;Xiao-Hua Zhang - Nature communications (2020)
8. Reduction of alternative electron acceptors drives biofilm formation in Shewanella algae. - Alberto J Martín-Rodríguez;José A Reyes-Darias;David Martín-Mora;José M González;Tino Krell;Ute Römling - NPJ biofilms and microbiomes (2021)
9. Dynamic Allocation of Carbon Storage and Nutrient-Dependent Exudation in a Revised Genome-Scale Model of Prochlorococcus. - Shany Ofaim;Snorre Sulheim;Eivind Almaas;Daniel Sher;Daniel Segrè - Frontiers in genetics (2021)
10. Marine Community Metabolomes Carry Fingerprints of Phytoplankton Community Composition. - Katherine R Heal;Bryndan P Durham;Angela K Boysen;Laura T Carlson;Wei Qin;François Ribalet;Angelicque E White;Randelle M Bundy;E Virginia Armbrust;Anitra E Ingalls - mSystems (2021)

... (51 more literatures)

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