Occurrence of XoxF-type methanol dehydrogenases in bacteria inhabiting light lanthanide-rich shale rock

This study analyzed the occurrence of lanthanide-dependent (XoxF type) methanol dehydrogenases in the bacterial community dominated by Proteobacteria inhabiting shale rock. In total, 22 sequence matches of XoxF were identified in the metaproteome of the community. This enzyme was produced by bacteria represented by orders such as Rhizobiales, Rhodobacterales, Rhodospiralles, Burkholderiales and Nitrosomonadales. Among the identified XoxF proteins, seven belonged to XoxF1 clade and 15 to XoxF5 clade. This study is the first to show the occurrence of XoxF proteins in the metaproteome of environmental lithobiontic bacterial community colonizing an underground rock rich in light lanthanides. The presented results broaden our understanding of the ecology of XoxF producing bacteria as well as the distribution and diversity of these enzymes in the natural environment.

Automated summary

This study identified the presence of XoxF methanol dehydrogenases in a bacterial community dominated by Proteobacteria inhabiting shale rock, with the enzyme being produced by bacterial orders such as Rhizobiales, Rhodobacterales, Rhodospiralles, Burkholderiales, and Nitrosomonadales. The discovery of XoxF proteins in the metaproteome of lithobiontic bacterial communities colonizing underground rocks rich in light lanthanides expands our understanding of the ecology and diversity of these enzymes in natural environments.