Comparative genomics highlights the unique biology of Methanomassiliicoccales, a Thermoplasmatales-related seventh order of methanogenic archaea that encodes pyrrolysine

BACKGROUND: A seventh order of methanogens, the Methanomassiliicoccales, has been identified in diverse anaerobic environments including the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of humans and other animals and may contribute significantly to methane emission and global warming. Methanomassiliicoccales are phylogenetically distant from all other orders of methanogens and belong to a large evolutionary branch composed by lineages of non-methanogenic archaea such as Thermoplasmatales, the Deep Hydrothermal Vent Euryarchaeota-2 (DHVE-2, Aciduliprofundum boonei) and the Marine Group-II (MG-II). To better understand this new order and its relationship to other archaea, we manually curated and extensively compared the genome sequences of three Methanomassiliicoccales representatives derived from human GIT microbiota, “Candidatus Methanomethylophilus alvus", “Candidatus Methanomassiliicoccus intestinalis” and Methanomassiliicoccus luminyensis. RESULTS: Comparative analyses revealed atypical features, such as the scattering of the ribosomal RNA genes in the genome and the absence of eukaryotic-like histone gene otherwise present in most of Euryarchaeota genomes. Previously identified in Thermoplasmatales genomes, these features are presently extended to several completely sequenced genomes of this large evolutionary branch, including MG-II and DHVE2. The three Methanomassiliicoccales genomes share a unique composition of genes involved in energy conservation suggesting an original combination of two main energy conservation processes previously described in other methanogens. They also display substantial differences with each other, such as their codon usage, the nature and origin of their CRISPRs systems and the genes possibly involved in particular environmental adaptations. The genome of M. luminyensis encodes several features to thrive in soil and sediment conditions suggesting its larger environmental distribution than GIT. Conversely, “Ca. M. alvus” and “Ca. M. intestinalis” do not present these features and could be more restricted and specialized on GIT. Prediction of the amber codon usage, either as a termination signal of translation or coding for pyrrolysine revealed contrasted patterns among the three genomes and suggests a different handling of the Pyl-encoding capacity. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first insights into the genomic organization and metabolic traits of the seventh order of methanogens. It suggests contrasted evolutionary history among the three analyzed Methanomassiliicoccales representatives and provides information on conserved characteristics among the overall methanogens and among Thermoplasmat

Biology of a widespread uncultivated archaeon that contributes to carbon fixation in the subsurface

Subsurface microbial life contributes significantly to biogeochemical cycling, yet it remains largely uncharacterized, especially its archaeal members. This 'microbial dark matter' has been explored by recent studies that were, however, mostly based on DNA sequence information only. Here, we use diverse techniques including ultrastuctural analyses to link genomics to biology for the SM1 Euryarchaeon lineage, an uncultivated group of subsurface archaea. Phylogenomic analyses reveal this lineage to belong to a widespread group of archaea that we propose to classify as a new euryarchaeal order ('Candidatus Altiarchaeales'). The representative, double-membraned species 'Candidatus Altiarchaeum hamiconexum' has an autotrophic metabolism that uses a not-yet-reported Factor(420)-free reductive acetyl-CoA pathway, confirmed by stable carbon isotopic measurements of archaeal lipids. Our results indicate that this lineage has evolved specific metabolic and structural features like nano-grappling hooks empowering this widely distributed archaeon to predominate anaerobic groundwater, where it may represent an important carbon dioxide sink

Reconstruction des relations évolutives entre archées et eucaryotes : une approche phylogénomique

Il est largement accepté qu'il existe une relation évolutive entre Archées et Eucaryotes, mais la nature exacte de cette relation reste vivement débattue. Au cours de cette thèse, je me suis servie de la grande quantité de données génomiques disponibles pour étudier ce problème à travers deux approches phylogénomiques complémentaires : (i) l'analyse d'un système cellulaire archéen particulier possédant une relation évolutive avec les eucaryotes, et (ii) une analyse phylogénomique à large échelle étendue aux trois domaines du vivant. Dans la première étude, j'ai conduit une analyse détaillée d'un système cellulaire possédant un lien entre Archées et Eucaryotes, la réplication de l'ADN. J'ai réalisé une analyse phylogénomique exhaustive des composants de la réplication de l'ADN chez tous les génomes complets d'archées. Cela m'a permis de les classer précisément en terme d'orthologie, de paralogie, de transferts horizontaux de gènes, et de copies issues d'éléments mobiles. Mes résultats fournissent un panorama complet de la diversité de la réplication de l'ADN parmi les différentes lignées, and m'ont permis d'inférer l'existence d'une machinerie de réplication de l'ADN de type moderne chez le dernier ancêtre commun archéen. J'ai ainsi été capable de clarifier l'histoire évolutive qui a forgée cette machinerie cellulaire clef au cours de la diversification des archées. Mon étude m'a permis de mettre en avant un nouveau jeu de marqueurs porteurs d'information sur les relations évolutives, non encore résolues, des différentes archées. De plus, j'ai analysé, pour la première fois, le signal phylogénétique porté pour les composants de la réplication de l'ADN. Ce signal est fortement en accord avec celui porté par deux autres machineries informationnelles clefs, la traduction et la transcription, renforçant ainsi l'existence d'un arbre archéen robuste. Enfin, la plupart des composants inférés comme étant présents chez l'ancêtre archéen sont partagés avec les eucaryotes, permettant de discuter des relations évolutives entre Archées et Eucaryotes...It is widely accepted that there exist an evolutionary relationship between Archaea and Eukaryotes, but the exact nature of this relationship is hotly debated. In this thesis I have taken advantage of the large available genomic data to investigate the issue through two complementary phylogenomic approaches: (i) the analysis of a specific archaeal cellular system with an evolutionary link to eukaryotes, and (ii) a large-scale phylogenomic analysis at the level of the three domains of life. In the first study, I carried out a detailed analysis of a cellular system with an evolutionary link between Archaea and Eukaryotes, DNA replication. I performed an exhaustive phylogenomic analysis of the components of DNA replication in all complete archaeal genomes. This allowed me to accurately assign them in terms of orthology, paralogy, horizontal gene transfers, and copies originating from mobile elements. My results provide a full picture of the diversity of DNA replication among different lineages, and allowed me to infer the presence of a modern-type DNA replication machinery in the last archaeal common ancestor. I was able to clarify the evolutionary history that shaped this key cellular machinery during archaeal diversification. My study allowed me to highlight a new set of markers that provide information on yet unclear evolutionary relationships within archaea. In addition, I analyzed, for the first time, the phylogenetic signal carried by DNA replication components. This is highly consistent with that harbored by two other key informational machineries, translation and transcription, strengthening the existence of a robust organismal tree for the Archaea. Finally, most of the components inferred to have been present in the archaeal ancestor are shared with eukaryotes, allowing discussion on the evolutionary relationships between Archaea and Eukaryotes..

Reconstruction des relations évolutives entre archées et eucaryotes : une approche phylogénomique

It is widely accepted that there exist an evolutionary relationship between Archaea and Eukaryotes, but the exact nature of this relationship is hotly debated. In this thesis I have taken advantage of the large available genomic data to investigate the issue through two complementary phylogenomic approaches: (i) the analysis of a specific archaeal cellular system with an evolutionary link to eukaryotes, and (ii) a large-scale phylogenomic analysis at the level of the three domains of life. In the first study, I carried out a detailed analysis of a cellular system with an evolutionary link between Archaea and Eukaryotes, DNA replication. I performed an exhaustive phylogenomic analysis of the components of DNA replication in all complete archaeal genomes. This allowed me to accurately assign them in terms of orthology, paralogy, horizontal gene transfers, and copies originating from mobile elements. My results provide a full picture of the diversity of DNA replication among different lineages, and allowed me to infer the presence of a modern-type DNA replication machinery in the last archaeal common ancestor. I was able to clarify the evolutionary history that shaped this key cellular machinery during archaeal diversification. My study allowed me to highlight a new set of markers that provide information on yet unclear evolutionary relationships within archaea. In addition, I analyzed, for the first time, the phylogenetic signal carried by DNA replication components. This is highly consistent with that harbored by two other key informational machineries, translation and transcription, strengthening the existence of a robust organismal tree for the Archaea. Finally, most of the components inferred to have been present in the archaeal ancestor are shared with eukaryotes, allowing discussion on the evolutionary relationships between Archaea and Eukaryotes...Il est largement accepté qu'il existe une relation évolutive entre Archées et Eucaryotes, mais la nature exacte de cette relation reste vivement débattue. Au cours de cette thèse, je me suis servie de la grande quantité de données génomiques disponibles pour étudier ce problème à travers deux approches phylogénomiques complémentaires : (i) l'analyse d'un système cellulaire archéen particulier possédant une relation évolutive avec les eucaryotes, et (ii) une analyse phylogénomique à large échelle étendue aux trois domaines du vivant. Dans la première étude, j'ai conduit une analyse détaillée d'un système cellulaire possédant un lien entre Archées et Eucaryotes, la réplication de l'ADN. J'ai réalisé une analyse phylogénomique exhaustive des composants de la réplication de l'ADN chez tous les génomes complets d'archées. Cela m'a permis de les classer précisément en terme d'orthologie, de paralogie, de transferts horizontaux de gènes, et de copies issues d'éléments mobiles. Mes résultats fournissent un panorama complet de la diversité de la réplication de l'ADN parmi les différentes lignées, and m'ont permis d'inférer l'existence d'une machinerie de réplication de l'ADN de type moderne chez le dernier ancêtre commun archéen. J'ai ainsi été capable de clarifier l'histoire évolutive qui a forgée cette machinerie cellulaire clef au cours de la diversification des archées. Mon étude m'a permis de mettre en avant un nouveau jeu de marqueurs porteurs d'information sur les relations évolutives, non encore résolues, des différentes archées. De plus, j'ai analysé, pour la première fois, le signal phylogénétique porté pour les composants de la réplication de l'ADN. Ce signal est fortement en accord avec celui porté par deux autres machineries informationnelles clefs, la traduction et la transcription, renforçant ainsi l'existence d'un arbre archéen robuste. Enfin, la plupart des composants inférés comme étant présents chez l'ancêtre archéen sont partagés avec les eucaryotes, permettant de discuter des relations évolutives entre Archées et Eucaryotes..

The two-domain tree of life is linked to a new root for the Archaea

International audienc

Plasmids from Euryarchaeota.

International audienceMany plasmids have been described in Euryarchaeota, one of the three major archaeal phyla, most of them in salt-loving haloarchaea and hyperthermophilic Thermococcales. These plasmids resemble bacterial plasmids in terms of size (from small plasmids encoding only one gene up to large megaplasmids) and replication mechanisms (rolling circle or theta). Some of them are related to viral genomes and form a more or less continuous sequence space including many integrated elements. Plasmids from Euryarchaeota have been useful for designing efficient genetic tools for these microorganisms. In addition, they have also been used to probe the topological state of plasmids in species with or without DNA gyrase and/or reverse gyrase. Plasmids from Euryarchaeota encode both DNA replication proteins recruited from their hosts and novel families of DNA replication proteins. Euryarchaeota form an interesting playground to test evolutionary hypotheses on the origin and evolution of viruses and plasmids, since a robust phylogeny is available for this phylum. Preliminary studies have shown that for different plasmid families, plasmids share a common gene pool and coevolve with their hosts. They are involved in gene transfer, mostly between plasmids and viruses present in closely related species, but rarely between cells from distantly related archaeal lineages. With few exceptions (e.g., plasmids carrying gas vesicle genes), most archaeal plasmids seem to be cryptic. Interestingly, plasmids and viral genomes have been detected in extracellular membrane vesicles produced by Thermococcales, suggesting that these vesicles could be involved in the transfer of viruses and plasmids between cells

Global phylogenomic analysis disentangles the complex evolutionary history of DNA replication in archaea.

International audienceThe archaeal machinery responsible for DNA replication is largely homologous to that of eukaryotes and is clearly distinct from its bacterial counterpart. Moreover, it shows high diversity in the various archaeal lineages, including different sets of components, heterogeneous taxonomic distribution, and a large number of additional copies that are sometimes highly divergent. This has made the evolutionary history of this cellular system particularly challenging to dissect. Here, we have carried out an exhaustive identification of homologs of all major replication components in over 140 complete archaeal genomes. Phylogenomic analysis allowed assigning them to either a conserved and probably essential core of replication components that were mainly vertically inherited, or to a variable and highly divergent shell of extra copies that have likely arisen from integrative elements. This suggests that replication proteins are frequently exchanged between extrachromosomal elements and cellular genomes. Our study allowed clarifying the history that shaped this key cellular process (ancestral components, horizontal gene transfers, and gene losses), providing important evolutionary and functional information. Finally, our precise identification of core components permitted to show that the phylogenetic signal carried by DNA replication is highly consistent with that harbored by two other key informational machineries (translation and transcription), strengthening the existence of a robust organismal tree for the Archaea

Antibiotic exposure perturbs the gut microbiota and elevates mortality in honeybees

<div><p>Gut microbiomes play crucial roles in animal health, and shifts in the gut microbial community structure can have detrimental impacts on hosts. Studies with vertebrate models and human subjects suggest that antibiotic treatments greatly perturb the native gut community, thereby facilitating proliferation of pathogens. In fact, persistent infections following antibiotic treatment are a major medical issue. In apiculture, antibiotics are frequently used to prevent bacterial infections of larval bees, but the impact of antibiotic-induced dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) on bee health and susceptibility to disease has not been fully elucidated. Here, we evaluated the effects of antibiotic exposure on the size and composition of honeybee gut communities. We monitored the survivorship of bees following antibiotic treatment in order to determine if dysbiosis of the gut microbiome impacts honeybee health, and we performed experiments to determine whether antibiotic exposure increases susceptibility to infection by opportunistic pathogens. Our results show that antibiotic treatment can have persistent effects on both the size and composition of the honeybee gut microbiome. Antibiotic exposure resulted in decreased survivorship, both in the hive and in laboratory experiments in which bees were exposed to opportunistic bacterial pathogens. Together, these results suggest that dysbiosis resulting from antibiotic exposure affects bee health, in part due to increased susceptibility to ubiquitous opportunistic pathogens. Not only do our results highlight the importance of the gut microbiome in honeybee health, but they also provide insights into how antibiotic treatment affects microbial communities and host health.</p></div

DNA topoisomerase VIII: a novel subfamily of type IIB topoisomerases encoded by free or integrated plasmids in Archaea and Bacteria

International audienceType II DNA topoisomerases are divided into two families, IIA and IIB. Types IIA and IIB enzymes share homologous B subunits encompassing the ATP-binding site, but have non-homologous A subunits catalyzing DNA cleavage. Type IIA topoisomerases are ubiquitous in Bacteria and Eukarya, whereas members of the IIB family are mostly present in Archaea and plants. Here, we report the detection of genes encoding type IIB enzymes in which the A and B subunits are fused into a single polypeptide. These proteins are encoded in several bacterial genomes, two bacterial plasmids and one archaeal plasmid. They form a monophyletic group that is very divergent from archaeal and eukaryotic type IIB enzymes (DNA topoisomerase VI). We propose to classify them into a new subfamily, denoted DNA topoisomerase VIII. Bacterial genes encoding a topoisomerase VIII are present within integrated mobile elements, most likely derived from conjugative plasmids. Purified topoisomerase VIII encoded by the plasmid pPPM1a from Paenibacillus polymyxa M1 had ATP-dependent relaxation and decatenation activities. In contrast, the enzyme encoded by mobile elements integrated into the genome of Ammonifex degensii exhibited DNA cleavage activity producing a full-length linear plasmid and that from Microscilla marina exhibited ATP-independent relaxation activity. Topoisomerases VIII, the smallest known type IIB enzymes, could be new promising models for structural and mechanistic studies