Anaerobic Degradation of Non-Methane Alkanes by “ Candidatus Methanoliparia” in Hydrocarbon Seeps of the Gulf of Mexico

• DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01814-19
• Publication Date: 2019-08-19T09:31:11Z
• Authors: Rafael Laso-Pérez; Cedric Hahn; Daan M. van Vliet; Halina E. Tegetmeyer; Florence Schubotz; Nadine T. Smit; Thomas Pape; Heiko Sahling; Gerhard Bohrmann; Antje Boetius; Katrin Knittel; Gunter Wegener
• Keywords: Candidatus; Alkane; Methanogen

Crude oil and gases in the seabed provide an important energy source for subsurface microorganisms. We investigated role of archaea anaerobic degradation non-methane alkanes deep-sea seeps from Gulf Mexico. identified microscopically ethane short-chain alkane oxidizers "Candidatus Argoarchaeum" Syntrophoarchaeum" forming consortia with bacteria. Moreover, we found that sediments contain large numbers cells archaeal clade Methanoliparia," which was previously proposed to perform methanogenic degradation. "Ca. Methanoliparia" occurred abundantly as single attached droplets without apparent bacterial or partners. Metagenome-assembled genomes encode a complete methanogenesis pathway including canonical methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) but also highly divergent MCR related those alkane-degrading pathways oxidation long-chain alkyl units. Its metabolic genomic potential its global detection hydrocarbon reservoirs suggest is degrader environments, producing methane by disproportionation organism.IMPORTANCE Oil-rich Mexico were diverse groups archaea. The symbiotic, consortium-forming are likely responsible alkanes, help sulfate-reducing occurs associated droplets. These two phylogenetically different reductases may allow this organism thrive methanogen on substrate alkanes. Based library survey, show frequently detected be key agent transformation methane. Our findings evidence roles alkane-rich marine habitats support notion significant functional versatility methyl coenzyme reductase.