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This content will become publicly available on January 21, 2026

Title: Uncovering novel functions of the enigmatic, abundant, and active Anaerolineae in a salt marsh ecosystem
ABSTRACT Anaerolineae, particularly uncultured representatives, are one of the most abundant microbial groups in coastal salt marshes, dominating the belowground rhizosphere, where over half of plant biomass production occurs. However, this class generally remains poorly understood, particularly in a salt marsh context. Here, novelAnaerolineaemetagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were generated from the salt marsh rhizosphere representingAnaerolineales,Promineifilales, JAAYZQ01, B4-G1, JAFGEY01, UCB3, andCaldilinealesorders. Metagenome and metatranscriptome reads were mapped to annotated MAGs, revealing nearly allAnaerolineaeencoded and transcribed genes required for oxidation of carbon compounds ranging from simple sugars to complex polysaccharides, fermentation, and carbon fixation. Furthermore, the majority ofAnaerolineaeexpressed genes involved in anaerobic and aerobic respiration and secondary metabolite production. The data revealed that the belowground salt marshAnaerolineaein the rhizosphere are important players in carbon cycling, including degradation of simple carbon compounds and more recalcitrant plant material, such as cellulose, using a diversity of electron acceptors and represent an unexplored reservoir of novel secondary metabolites.IMPORTANCEGiven that coastal salt marshes are recognized as biogeochemical hotspots, it is fundamentally important to understand the functional role of the microbiome in this ecosystem. In particular,Anaerolineaeare abundant members of the salt marsh rhizosphere and have been identified as core microbes, suggesting they play an important functional role. Yet, little is known about the metabolic pathways encoded and expressed in this abundant salt marsh clade. Using an ‘omics-based approach, we determined thatAnaerolineaeare capable of oxidizing a range of carbon compounds, including simple sugars to complex carbon compounds, while also encoding fermentation and carbon fixation. Surprisingly,Anaerolineaeencoded and transcribed genes involved in aerobic respiration, which was unexpected given the reduced nature of the salt marsh rhizosphere. Finally, the majority ofAnaerolineaeappear to be involved in secondary metabolite production, suggesting that this group represents an unexplored reservoir of novel and important secondary metabolites.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2342607
PAR ID:
10569651
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ;
Editor(s):
Wilkins, Laetitia_G E
Publisher / Repository:
ASM Journals
Date Published:
Journal Name:
mSystems
Volume:
10
Issue:
1
ISSN:
2379-5077
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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