Metagenomics of Atacama Lithobiontic Extremophile Life Unveils Highlights on Fungal Communities, Biogeochemical Cycles and Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes
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2019
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Halites, which are typically found in various Atacama locations, are evaporitic rocks that
are considered as micro-scaled salterns. Both structural and functional metagenomic analyses of
halite nodules were performed. Structural analyses indicated that the halite microbiota is mainly
composed of NaCl-adapted microorganisms. In addition, halites appear to harbor a limited diversity
of fungal families together with a biodiverse collection of protozoa. Functional analysis indicated that
the halite microbiome possesses the capacity to make an extensive contribution to carbon, nitrogen,
and sulfur cycles, but possess a limited capacity to fix nitrogen. The halite metagenome also contains
a vast repertory of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZY) with glycosyl transferases being the most
abundant class present, followed by glycosyl hydrolases (GH). Amylases were also present in high
abundance, with GH also being identified. Thus, the halite microbiota is a potential useful source of
novel enzymes that could have biotechnological applicability. This is the first metagenomic report
of fungi and protozoa as endolithobionts of halite nodules, as well as the first attempt to describe
the repertoire of CAZY in this community. In addition, we present a comprehensive functional
metagenomic analysis of the metabolic capacities of the halite microbiota, providing evidence for the
first time on the sulfur cycle in Atacama halites.