Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Hallin, Sara
• Philippot, Laurent
• Löffler, Frank E.
• Sanford, Robert A.
• Jones, Christopher M.

Titel

Genomics and Ecology of Novel N2O-Reducing Microorganisms

Ist Teil von

• Trends in microbiology (Regular ed.), 2018-01, Vol.26 (1), p.43-55

Ort / Verlag

United Kingdom: Elsevier Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2018

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Microorganisms with the capacity to reduce the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) to harmless dinitrogen gas are receiving increased attention due to increasing N2O emissions (and our need to mitigate climate change) and to recent discoveries of novel N2O-reducing bacteria and archaea. The diversity of denitrifying and nondenitrifying microorganisms with capacity for N2O reduction was recently shown to be greater than previously expected. A formerly overlooked group (clade II) in the environment include a large fraction of nondenitrifying N2O reducers, which could be N2O sinks without major contribution to N2O formation. We review the recent advances about fundamental understanding of the genomics, physiology, and ecology of N2O reducers and the importance of these findings for curbing N2O emissions. N2O is produced in several microbial processes, but N2O reduction is limited to a single process catalyzed by the N2O reductase present among taxonomically diverse bacteria and archaea. This enzyme is used for energy conservation through anaerobic respiration, detoxification, or removal of excess electrons. The N2O reductase has evolved into two lineages, clade I and the recently described clade II. Surveys indicate that clade II N2O reductase (NosZ) is abundant in many biomes. Genome analyses and culture-based studies suggest that the physiology of N2O reduction differs between the clades. Evidence from community ecology supports niche differentiation of organisms with either type of N2O reductase, and within the two clades. Identifying factors that drive physiological and ecological responses of N2O-reducing communities could lead to effective and innovative strategies to curb N2O emissions.