Showing papers by "John B. Waterbury published in 2020"

Abundant nitrite-oxidizing metalloenzymes in the mesopelagic zone of the tropical Pacific Ocean

Abstract: Numerous biogeochemical reactions occur within the oceans’ major oxygen minimum zones, but less attention has been paid to the open ocean extremities of these zones. Here we report measurements on oxygen minimum zone waters from the Eastern to the Central Tropical North Pacific, which we analysed using metaproteomic techniques to discern the microbial functions present and their influence on biogeochemical cycling. We found nitrite oxidoreductase—an iron-rich enzyme from Nitrospina bacteria—to be one of the most abundant microbial proteins present in the mesopelagic zone, with over 60 billion molecules per litre. Estimated reaction rates imply that this enzyme is undersaturated and that its high abundance provides a latent mesopelagic catalytic capacity to rapidly oxidize nitrite derived from episodic fluxes of degrading sinking organic matter. In addition, given the enzyme’s intensive iron demand, its high abundance represents a previously unrecognized microbial reservoir within suboxic mesopelagic zones. Nitrite oxidoreductase may also contribute to other reactions involving nitrogen and redox-sensitive metals. We suggest that the abundance and extent of nitrite oxidoreductase may increase with continued deoxygenation in the oceans, and result in increased mesopelagic demand for iron and other potential changes to marine biogeochemical cycles. Continued deoxygenation of the oceans will probably lead to enhanced demand for iron, as implied by the abundance of an iron-rich enzyme in the mesopelagic waters of the Pacific.

Mechanisms and heterogeneity of mineral use by natural colonies of the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium

Abstract: The keystone marine nitrogen fixer Trichodesmium thrives in high dust environments, and while experimental observations suggest that Trichodesmium colonies can access the essential nutrient iron from dust particles, it is not known the extent to which this occurs in the field. Here we demonstrate that Trichodesmium colonies actively process mineral particles in nature with direct molecular impacts. Microscopy and synchrotron-based imaging demonstrated heterogeneous associations with particles consistent with iron oxide and iron silicate minerals. Metaproteomic analysis of individual colonies revealed enrichment of biogeochemically-relevant proteins including photosynthesis proteins and metalloproteins containing iron, nickel, copper and zinc when particles were present. The iron-storage protein ferritin was particularly enriched implying accumulation of particle-derived iron, and multiple iron acquisition pathways including Fe(II), Fe(III), and Fe-siderophore transporters were engaged, including evidence of superoxide-driven particle dissolution. While the particles clearly provided iron, there was also evidence that the concentrated metals had toxic effects. The molecular mechanisms allowing Trichodesmium to interact with particulate minerals are fundamental to its success and global impact on nitrogen biogeochemistry, and may contribute to the leaching of particulate trace metals with implications for global iron and carbon cycling.