Genomic Analysis of the Deep-Sea Bacterium Shewanella sp. MTB7 Reveals Backgrounds Related to Its Deep-Sea Environment Adaptation

Shewanella species are widely distributed in various environments, especially deep-sea sediments, due to their remarkable ability to utilize multiple electron receptors and versatile metabolic capabilities. In this study, a novel facultatively anaerobic, psychrophilic, and piezotolerant bacterium, Shewanella sp. MTB7, was isolated from the Mariana Trench at a depth of 5900 m. Here, we report its complete genome sequence and adaptation strategies for survival in deep-sea environments. MTB7 contains what is currently the third-largest genome among all isolated Shewanella strains and shows higher coding density than neighboring strains. Metabolically, MTB7 is predicted to utilize various carbon and nitrogen sources. D-amino acid utilization and HGT-derived purine-degrading genes could contribute to its oligotrophic adaptation. For respiration, the cytochrome o ubiquinol oxidase genes cyoABCDE, typically expressed at high oxygen concentrations, are missing. Conversely, a series of anaerobic respiratory genes are employed, including fumarate reductase, polysulfide reductase, trimethylamine-N-oxide reductase, crotonobetaine reductase, and Mtr subunits. The glycine reductase genes and the triplication of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase genes absent in neighboring strains could also help MTB7 survive in low-oxygen environments. Many genes encoding cold-shock proteins, glycine betaine transporters and biosynthetic enzymes, and reactive oxygen species-scavenging proteins could contribute to its low-temperature adaptation. The genomic analysis of MTB7 will deepen our understanding of microbial adaptation strategies in deep-sea environments.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel bacterium, Shewanella sp. MTB7, was isolated from the Mariana Trench at a depth of 5900 m. It has a large genome size with high coding density and exhibits versatile metabolic capabilities. MTB7 utilizes various carbon and nitrogen sources, and has adaptation strategies for survival in deep-sea environments, including anaerobic respiration and low-temperature adaptation.