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Aquificota: Architects of Extreme Ecosystems

An in-depth exploration of the hyperthermophilic bacterial phylum, revealing their unique metabolic strategies and profound phylogenetic complexities.

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What is Aquificota?

Pioneers of Harsh Realms

The Aquificota phylum encompasses a diverse array of bacteria uniquely adapted to thrive in extreme environmental conditions. These organisms are frequently discovered in geothermal springs, hydrothermal pools, and deep-sea oceanic vents, showcasing their remarkable resilience. As autotrophs, they play a critical role as primary carbon fixers within their ecosystems, forming the base of the food web in these otherwise desolate habitats.

The 'Water Makers'

The nomenclature Aquificota originates from an early genus identified within this group, Aquifex, meaning "water maker." This name aptly describes their metabolic prowess: these bacteria are capable of producing water through the oxidation of hydrogen. This distinctive metabolic pathway highlights their capacity for chemolithoautotrophy, utilizing inorganic compounds for energy.

Bacterial Extremophiles

Members of the Aquificota phylum are characterized as Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rods. Crucially, they are classified as true bacteria (within the Domain Bacteria), distinguishing them from Archaea, which also inhabit extreme environments but belong to a separate domain of life. Alongside the Thermotogota, Aquificota are recognized as prominent thermophilic eubacteria, flourishing at high temperatures.

Taxonomic Structure

Hierarchical Classification

The Aquificota phylum currently comprises 15 genera and 42 species that have been validly published. This phylum is further organized into three distinct classes, each containing its respective orders, reflecting a structured hierarchy within this ancient bacterial lineage.

Key Orders and Families

Within Aquificota, the primary orders and their constituent families are well-defined:

  • The order Aquificales includes the families Aquificaceae and Hydrogenothermaceae.
  • The order Desulfurobacteriales is represented by a single family, the Desulfurobacteriaceae.

This classification underscores the distinct evolutionary paths and physiological adaptations within the phylum.

Unique Cases: Thermosulfidibacter takaii

A notable exception in the family-level assignment is Thermosulfidibacter takaii. While currently classified as a member of Aquificales, its phylogenetic distinctness from both established orders prevents its assignment to a specific family within the phylum. Interestingly, it exhibits greater physiological similarity to the Desulfobacteriaceae, highlighting the complexities in bacterial taxonomy.

Molecular Signatures

Genetic Markers: Conserved Signature Indels (CSIs)

Comparative genomic analyses have revealed several Conserved Signature Indels (CSIs) that are uniquely present across all species within the Aquificota phylum. These specific insertions or deletions in protein sequences serve as robust molecular markers, aiding in the precise demarcation and identification of this group. Further CSIs differentiate the Aquificales from the Desulfurobacteriales, and additional markers distinguish Aquificota and Hydrogenothermaceae from other bacterial phyla.

Metabolic Divergence

The molecular distinctions observed through CSIs are paralleled by significant physiological differences between the orders:

  • Desulfurobacteriales: These are strict anaerobes, relying exclusively on hydrogen oxidation for their energy requirements.
  • Aquificales: In contrast, members of this order are microaerophilic, capable of oxidizing hydrogen as well as other compounds such as sulfur or thiosulfate, demonstrating a broader metabolic versatility.

SecA Translocase: A Thermostability Secret

A remarkable 51-amino-acid insertion has been identified in the SecA preprotein translocase, a protein crucial for protein secretion. This insertion is shared by all Aquificota members and also by the Thermotogales. Phylogenetic studies indicate that this shared feature is not a result of lateral gene transfer but rather an independent evolutionary adaptation driven by selective pressure in these thermophilic groups.

Molecular dynamic simulations have elucidated that this 51-amino-acid insertion is located on the surface of SecA, strategically positioned near the ADP/ATP binding site. It facilitates a network of water molecules that form intermediate interactions between the CSI residues and ADP molecules. This intricate network stabilizes the hydrogen bonds between ADP/ATP and the protein, thereby enhancing the protein's ability to bind ATP/ADP effectively at high temperatures and contributing significantly to the overall thermostability of the bacteria.

Phylogenetic Debates

The Phylogenetic Puzzle

The precise phylogenetic placement of Aquificota within the bacterial domain has been a subject of ongoing scientific debate. Different molecular analyses yield varying conclusions, highlighting the complexities inherent in reconstructing the deep evolutionary history of microbial life.

16S rRNA Perspective

Studies based on the 16S rRNA gene trees often position Aquificota species in close proximity to the phylum Thermotogota, another group of hyperthermophilic organisms. This placement suggests a deep branching point near the archaeal-bacterial divergence, implying an ancient lineage adapted to extreme heat.

Protein-Based Insights

Conversely, phylogenetic analyses utilizing other gene and protein sequences, along with CSIs in highly conserved universal proteins (such as Hsp70, Hsp60, RpoB, and AlaRS), present a different picture. These studies frequently support a closer relationship of Aquificota to the phylum Proteobacteria, particularly the Campylobacterota. This inference is further bolstered by a unique two-amino-acid CSI found in the inorganic pyrophosphatase protein, shared exclusively by species from these two phyla.

The high G+C content (over 62%) of Aquificota rRNAs is essential for maintaining the stability of their secondary structures at the high growth temperatures they endure. While this characteristic might suggest a deep-branching lineage, the protein-based evidence challenges this view, placing them closer to Proteobacteria. The observed grouping of Aquificota with Campylobacterota is often attributed to frequent horizontal gene transfer, a phenomenon common among bacteria sharing similar ecological niches, which can obscure true vertical evolutionary relationships.

Accepted Taxonomy and Phylogenetic Views

The currently accepted taxonomy is based on the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

16S rRNA based (LTP_10_2024) 120 marker proteins based (GTDB 09-RS220)
  • Thermosulfidibacterales
    • Thermosulfidibacteraceae
  • Aquificales
    • Desulfurobacteriaceae
    • Hydrogenothermaceae
    • Aquificaceae [incl. "Hydrogenobaculaceae"]
  • Thermosulfidibacterota
    • Thermosulfidibacteria
      • Thermosulfidibacterales
        • Thermosulfidibacteraceae Chuvochina et al. 2024
  • Aquificota
    • Desulfurobacteriia
      • Desulfurobacteriales
        • Desulfurobacteriaceae L'Haridon et al. 2006
    • Aquificia
      • Hydrogenothermales
        • Hydrogenothermaceae Eder and Huber 2003
      • Aquificales
        • "Hydrogenobaculaceae"
        • Aquificaceae Reysenbach 2002

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References

References

  1.  Reysenbach, A.-L. (2001) Phylum BII. Thermotogae phy. nov. In: Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, pp. 369-387. Eds D. R. Boone, R. W. Castenholz. Springer-Verlag: Berlin.
  2.  Klenk, H. P., Meier, T. D., Durovic, P. and others (1999) RNA polymerase of Aquifex pyrophilus: Implications for the evolution of the bacterial rpoBC operon and extremely thermophilic bacteria. J Mol Evol 48: 528-541.
  3.  Gupta, R. S. (2000) The phylogeny of Proteobacteria: relationships to other eubacterial phyla and eukaryotes. FEMS Microbiol Rev 24: 367-402.
  4.  Ciccarelli, F. D., Doerks, T., von Mering, C., Creevey, C. J., Snel, B., and Bork, P. (2006) Toward automatic reconstruction of a highly resolved tree of life. Science 311: 1283-1287.
  5.  Di Giulio, M. (2003) The universal ancestor was a thermophile or a hyperthermophile: Tests and further evidence. J Theor Biol 221: 425-436.
  6.  Griffiths, E. and Gupta, R. S. (2004) Signature sequences in diverse proteins provide evidence for the late divergence of the order Aquificales. International Microbiol 7: 41-52.
  7.  Meyer, T. E. and Bansal, A. K. (2005) Stabilization against hyperthermal denaturation through increased CG content can explain the discrepancy between whole genome and 16S rRNA analyses. Biochemistry 44: 11458-11465.
  8.  Catalogue of Organisms: Standing the Heat
A full list of references for this article are available at the Aquificota Wikipedia page

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