Alkane degradation mechanism of Mixta calida HXX308 isolated from sediment of the Mariana Trench

The Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench, which is the deepest site in the ocean, contains rich deposits of n-alkanes in its sediments. However, the alkane metabolic processes of the bacteria in this extreme environment were not well understood. In this study, we isolated a strain Mixta calida HXX3...

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Main Authors: Yizi Yang, Xinxin He, Yulin Zhang, Xiao-Hua Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1579612/full
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author Yizi Yang
Xinxin He
Yulin Zhang
Xiao-Hua Zhang
Xiao-Hua Zhang
Xiao-Hua Zhang
author_facet Yizi Yang
Xinxin He
Yulin Zhang
Xiao-Hua Zhang
Xiao-Hua Zhang
Xiao-Hua Zhang
author_sort Yizi Yang
collection DOAJ
description The Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench, which is the deepest site in the ocean, contains rich deposits of n-alkanes in its sediments. However, the alkane metabolic processes of the bacteria in this extreme environment were not well understood. In this study, we isolated a strain Mixta calida HXX308 (Proteobacteria) from sediment samples of the Challenger Deep (10,816 meters below sea level). HXX308 grows under pressures ranging from 0 to 40 MPa, with optimal growth at lower pressures. Additionally, it degrades approximately 20% of eicosane at both atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa) and 20 MPa. Metabolic profiling indicated that HXX308 possesses a complete aerobic alkane metabolism pathway, along with nitrate reduction and sulfate reduction pathways, which support its adaptation to the trench’s anoxic environment. Comparative genomic studies showed that most strains in the genus Mixta contain the alkane-degrading gene LadB. Characterization of the LadB gene in HXX308 confirmed its role in the degradation of medium-to long-chain alkanes (C18-36). HXX308 is the first Mixta strain isolated from marine environment. Although this strain originated from the trench, its hydrocarbon metabolic characteristics are similar to those of cultures of terrestrial origin, suggesting that the alkanes in these sediments are likely from the terrestrial environment. Our study enhances the understanding of alkane-degrading in the phylum Proteobacteria and provides insights into the environmental adaptation of M. calida HXX308 in the Mariana Trench.
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spelling doaj-art-1ad9269fa1e945a6bb4e0cbd868e29b52025-08-20T03:53:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-04-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.15796121579612Alkane degradation mechanism of Mixta calida HXX308 isolated from sediment of the Mariana TrenchYizi Yang0Xinxin He1Yulin Zhang2Xiao-Hua Zhang3Xiao-Hua Zhang4Xiao-Hua Zhang5Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaFrontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaFrontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaFrontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, and College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaLaboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, ChinaKey Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity (Ministry of Education), and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, ChinaThe Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench, which is the deepest site in the ocean, contains rich deposits of n-alkanes in its sediments. However, the alkane metabolic processes of the bacteria in this extreme environment were not well understood. In this study, we isolated a strain Mixta calida HXX308 (Proteobacteria) from sediment samples of the Challenger Deep (10,816 meters below sea level). HXX308 grows under pressures ranging from 0 to 40 MPa, with optimal growth at lower pressures. Additionally, it degrades approximately 20% of eicosane at both atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa) and 20 MPa. Metabolic profiling indicated that HXX308 possesses a complete aerobic alkane metabolism pathway, along with nitrate reduction and sulfate reduction pathways, which support its adaptation to the trench’s anoxic environment. Comparative genomic studies showed that most strains in the genus Mixta contain the alkane-degrading gene LadB. Characterization of the LadB gene in HXX308 confirmed its role in the degradation of medium-to long-chain alkanes (C18-36). HXX308 is the first Mixta strain isolated from marine environment. Although this strain originated from the trench, its hydrocarbon metabolic characteristics are similar to those of cultures of terrestrial origin, suggesting that the alkanes in these sediments are likely from the terrestrial environment. Our study enhances the understanding of alkane-degrading in the phylum Proteobacteria and provides insights into the environmental adaptation of M. calida HXX308 in the Mariana Trench.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1579612/fullthe Mariana TrenchMixta calidaProteobacteriaalkane degradationcomparative genomic analysis
spellingShingle Yizi Yang
Xinxin He
Yulin Zhang
Xiao-Hua Zhang
Xiao-Hua Zhang
Xiao-Hua Zhang
Alkane degradation mechanism of Mixta calida HXX308 isolated from sediment of the Mariana Trench
Frontiers in Microbiology
the Mariana Trench
Mixta calida
Proteobacteria
alkane degradation
comparative genomic analysis
title Alkane degradation mechanism of Mixta calida HXX308 isolated from sediment of the Mariana Trench
title_full Alkane degradation mechanism of Mixta calida HXX308 isolated from sediment of the Mariana Trench
title_fullStr Alkane degradation mechanism of Mixta calida HXX308 isolated from sediment of the Mariana Trench
title_full_unstemmed Alkane degradation mechanism of Mixta calida HXX308 isolated from sediment of the Mariana Trench
title_short Alkane degradation mechanism of Mixta calida HXX308 isolated from sediment of the Mariana Trench
title_sort alkane degradation mechanism of mixta calida hxx308 isolated from sediment of the mariana trench
topic the Mariana Trench
Mixta calida
Proteobacteria
alkane degradation
comparative genomic analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1579612/full
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