Metagenomic Functional Potential Predicts Degradation Rates of a Model Organophosphorus Xenobiotic in Pesticide Contaminated Soils

Frontiers in Microbiology

Brajesh K. Singh¹  Loic Nazaries²  Ali Ijaz²  Thomas C. Jeffries²  Uffe N. Nielsen²  Smriti Rayu²  Kaitao Lai³ 

[1] Global Centre for Land Based Innovation, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia;Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia;Health and Biosecurity, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, North Ryde, NSW, Australia;School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia;

关键词: metagenomics;    bioremediation;    pesticides;    soil microbiology;    biodegradation;    environmental;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fmicb.2018.00147

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Chemical contamination of natural and agricultural habitats is an increasing global problem and a major threat to sustainability and human health. Organophosphorus (OP) compounds are one major class of contaminant and can undergo microbial degradation, however, no studies have applied system-wide ecogenomic tools to investigate OP degradation or use metagenomics to understand the underlying mechanisms of biodegradation in situ and predict degradation potential. Thus, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the functional genes and genomic potential underpinning degradation and community responses to contamination. Here we address this knowledge gap by performing shotgun sequencing of community DNA from agricultural soils with a history of pesticide usage and profiling shifts in functional genes and microbial taxa abundance. Our results showed two distinct groups of soils defined by differing functional and taxonomic profiles. Degradation assays suggested that these groups corresponded to the organophosphorus degradation potential of soils, with the fastest degrading community being defined by increases in transport and nutrient cycling pathways and enzymes potentially involved in phosphorus metabolism. This was against a backdrop of taxonomic community shifts potentially related to contamination adaptation and reflecting the legacy of exposure. Overall our results highlight the value of using holistic system-wide metagenomic approaches as a tool to predict microbial degradation in the context of the ecology of contaminated habitats.

【 授权许可】

Unknown