Metagenomic insights into the metabolism and ecologic functions of the widespread DPANN archaea from deep-sea hydrothermal vents

Abstract

Due to the particularity of metabolism and the importance of ecological roles, the archaea living in deep-sea hydrothermal system always attract great attention. Included, the DPANN superphylum archaea, which are massive radiation of organisms, distribute widely in hydrothermal environment, but their metabolism and ecology remain largely unknown. In this study, we assembled 20 DPANN genomes comprised in 43 reconstructed genomes from deep-sea hydrothermal sediments, presenting high abundance in the archaea kingdom. Phylogenetic analysis shows 6 phyla comprising Aenigmarchaeota, Diapherotrites, Nanoarchaeota, Pacearchaeota, Woesearchaeota and a new candidate phylum designated DPANN-HV-2 are included in the 20 DPANN archaeal members, indicating their wide diversity in this extreme environment. Metabolic analysis presents their metabolic deficiencies because of their reduced genome size, such as gluconeogenesis, de novo nucleotide and amino acid synthesis. However, they possess alternative and economical strategies to fill this gap. Furthermore, they were detected to have multiple capacities of assimilating carbon dioxide, nitrogen and sulfur compounds, suggesting their potentially important ecologic roles in the hydrothermal system. IMPORTANCEDPANN archaea show high distribution in the hydrothermal system. However, they possess small genome size and some incomplete biological process. Exploring their metabolism is helpful to know how such small lives adapt to this special environment and what ecological roles they play. It was ever rarely noticed and reported. Therefore, in this study, we provide some genomic information about that and find their various abilities and potential ecological roles. Understanding their lifestyles is helpful for further cultivating, exploring deep-sea dark matters and revealing microbial biogeochemical cycles in this extreme environment.