Biology subjects

McMinn, A.

Publications and source records attributed to McMinn, A..

8 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Ecology of hydrocarbon degradation in widespread viruses

Hydrocarbons are vital for energy production and lead to serious environmental issues due to pollution. Microorganisms largely drive the production and degradation of hydrocarbons, yet little is known about viral contributions to hydrocarbon degradation. Here we identified 786 viral contigs from IMG/VR(v4), encoding five aerobic (alkB, ladA, almA, ndoB and dszC) and three anaerobic (bssA, ebdA and abcA) hydrocarbon-degrading genes (HDGs). vOTUs encoding HDGs span 26 distinct viral families, including 249 are mainly associated with host-associated environment and 463 are derived from aquatic habitat, respectively, implying that these viruses are broadly engaged in hydrocarbon-degradation processes across the entire biosphere. alkB (35%) and almA (28%) was tended to be encoded by Schizomimiviridae, bssA was tended to be encoded by T5-like bacteriophages (29%) and SPO1-like bacteriophages (22%), suggesting that the carriage of HDGs by viruses exhibits taxonomic specificity. With respect to host associations, Pseudomonadota and Bacillota constitute the two main potential host lineages, associated with 268 and 71 vOTUs, respectively. The profiling of ecological footprint reveals that viruses contribute a total of up to 30% gene abundance and 32% transcribing activity to hydrocarbon degradation in the global ocean. This study systematically revealed the distribution, diversity, virus-host correlation and activity of virus-encoded HDGs, underscoring the significant role of viruses in hydrocarbon metabolism on a global scale.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

A comprehensive RNA virome from molluscan transcriptomes reveals extensive diversity and modular genome evolution

Mollusca is the second-largest animal phylum and an important marine food resource for humans. While DNA viruses that threaten molluscan aquaculture have received much attention, molluscan RNA viromes remain poorly explored. Here, based on 223 molluscan metatranscriptomes covering eight animal classes, we identified 80 species-level RNA viruses spanning three viral phyla and nine viral families. Phylogenetic result combined structural modeling found a major increase in the number of Pisuviricota-related lineages. Extensive modular evolution in viral genomes was observed including gene rearrangements and co-evolution of capsid and RdRP genes. Host prediction linked 78% of the RNA viruses to a diverse range of eukaryotes, including vertebrates, invertebrates, and algae. These findings expand the known diversity of RNA viruses in molluscs and shed light on their phylogenetic relationships, highlighting molluscs as valuable models for RNA virus evolution. Graphical abstractRNA virus diversity within 223 molluscan transcriptome samples were analyzed based on RdRP identification. Viruses belonging to the phylum Pisoviricota were the most abundant; co-evolution between RdRP and capsid proteins of molluscan Picornavirales was revealed, and a complex virus-host interaction network was constructed. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=153 SRC="FIGDIR/small/673676v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (44K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ce8fc0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3f9068org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@121cc2forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1e431a0_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIComprehensive metatranscriptomic analysis found extensive RNA viral diversity in molluscs. C_LIO_LIPisuviricota dominate the molluscan RNA virome, substantially broadening known viral lineages. C_LIO_LIModular genome evolution involving gene rearrangements and conserved structural features characterize molluscan RNA viruses. C_LIO_LIMolluscs potentially serve as major ecological reservoirs for diverse RNA viruses infecting various eukaryotic hosts. C_LI

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2025

Viruses associated with Nitrososphaerota archaea: diversity, evolution and horizontal gene transfers

Nitrososphaeria, an archaeal class containing all ammonium-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and their closely related clades (e.g. Ca. Caldarchaeales), is a widely distributed archaeal lineage across diverse ecosystems. Due to the difficulty of isolation and cultivation, the viral diversity and evolution associated with non-marine AOA lineages and Ca. Caldarchaeales remain largely uncharacterized. Here, based on globally sampled genomes and metagenomes, we assembled a genomic catalogue associated with AOA, including 283 species-level viruses and 415 species-level mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Notably, 259 previously unrecognized species-level viruses or MGEs associated with Ca. Caldarchaeales were identified. Across the two major Nitrososphaeria lineages, we uncovered an expansion of archaeal viral families: 11 families associated with AOA, including seven new head-tailed lineages, one of which comprises a mega archaeal virus with a genome size exceeding 220 kb; ten families associated with Ca. Caldarchaeales, including four novel head-tailed groups and two previously unknown rod-shaped family (Demeterviridae and Gaiaviridae). Phylogenetic inference showed that rod-shaped viruses associated with Ca. Caldarchaeales and methanogens are phylogenetically intertwined and likely share a common ancestor with Hoswirudivirus, a Sulfolobales-associated rod-shaped virus characterized by two copies of the coat gene. Through structural modelling, a rare fusion of the coat protein in Demeterviridae was observed, in which a single open reading frame within a gene island adjacent to a glycosyl transferase appears capable of forming a complete capsomer. This provides new insights into the origin and evolution of Adnaviria viral realm. Functional genomics analyses further revealed that these novel rod-shaped viruses encode virus-specific rare quinone biosynthesis genes and arsenic response transcriptional regulator genes, providing potential clues to their mechanisms of adaptation to hyperthermal environments. Collectively, our work uncovers the hidden genomic, evolution and functional diversity of Nitrososphaeria viromes for the first time and closes a long-standing gap in archaeal virome research. HighlightsO_LIFirst genomic catalogue of viruses and MGEs linked to Nitrososphaeria. C_LIO_LIDiscovery of diverse novel archaeal viral families. C_LIO_LINew insights into rod-shaped virus evolution and archaeal virus-host adaptation. C_LI

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2024

Diversity and ecological potentials of viral assemblages from the seamount sediments of the Northwest Pacific Ocean

Viruses are the most abundant life forms in the sea, influencing the community structure and metabolism of host cells as well as biogeochemical cycles. However, the diversity and ecological roles of viruses within seamount ecosystems, natural microbiota havens characterized by high biodiversity, remain unknown. Here, the first seamount viral genome (SMVG) dataset, based on a metagenomic analysis of twelve seamount sediment samples collected from the seamount regions of the Northwest Pacific Ocean, is established. A total of 78,069 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) were found, spanning 18 viral classes and 63 viral families. The detection of sixteen viral auxiliary metabolic genes (vAMGs) suggests that viruses may participate in both the complex metabolic dynamics associated with sediment microbial communities and also biogeochemical cycles, including carbon, sulfur, metal, heme, and cobalamin cycling. vAMGs involved in the metabolism of heme, cobalamin and metals, in particular, are more often detected in seamount sediments than in trenches, cool seeps, and hydrothermal vents. This investigation of the viral communities in these seamount sediments provides new insights into the high diversity and ecological potential of the viruses and establishes a foundation for the future study of benthic viruses from deep-sea seamounts.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Spatio-temporal variation of bacterial community structure in two intertidal sediment types of Jiaozhou Bay

The intertidal sediment environment is dynamic and the biofilm bacterial community within it must constantly adjust, but an understanding of the differences in the biofilm bacterial community within sediments of different types is still relatively limited. In this study, the structure of the bacterial community in Jiaozhou Bay sediment biofilms are described using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the effects of temporal change and different sediment environment types are discussed. The Shannon index was significantly higher in sandy samples than in muddy samples. The co-occurrence network was tighter and more species were involved in community building in sandy samples. The principal coordinates analysis identified a significant separation between different sediment types and between stations (LiCun estuary, LC and ZhanQiao Pier, ZQ). Proteobacteria, which had a relative abundance of approximately 50% at all phylum levels, was significantly more abundant at ZQ, while Campilobacterota and Firmicutes were significantly more abundant at LC. The relative abundances of Bacteroidetes, Campilobacterota, Firmicutes, and Chloroflexi were significantly higher in the muddy samples, while Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were higher in the sandy samples. There were different phylum-level biomarkers between sediment types at different stations. There were also different patterns of functional enrichment in biogeochemical cycles between sediment types and stations with the former having more gene families that differed significantly, highlighting their greater role in determining bacterial function. The RDA results, where each months samples were concentrated individually, showed reduced variation between months when the amplicon sequence variant was replaced by KEGG orthologs, presumably the temporal change had an impact on shaping the intertidal sediment bacterial community, although this was less clear at the gene family level. Random forest prediction yielded a combination of 43 family-level features that responded well to temporal change, reflecting the influence of temporal change on sediment biofilm bacteria. HighlightsO_LISandy sediments have more bacterial species involved in community building. C_LIO_LIDifferent substrates from different stations have their own phylum biomarkers. C_LIO_LISubstrates have a greater influence on shaping bacterial function. C_LIO_LITemporal changes have a greater shaping power on bacteria than on gene families. C_LI Graphic abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=121 SRC="FIGDIR/small/542048v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (43K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1834e64org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18fc695org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@369657org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c85a13_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

ecology↗

bioRxiv2022

Genomic and phylogenetic analysis of the first myovirus isolated from Oceanospirillaceae, representing a novel viral cluster prevalent in polar oceans

The marine bacterial family Oceanospirillaceae, which is abundant in the deep-seas and polar oceans, is closely associated with algal blooms and petroleum hydrocarbons degradation. However, only a few Oceanospirillaceae-infecting phages have so far been reported. Here we report on a novel Oceanospirillum phage, vB_OsaM_PD0307, which is the first myovirus to be found that infects Oceanospirillaceae. vB_OsaM_PD0307 with a 44,421 bp linear dsDNA genome. Phylogenetic analysis and average nucleotide sequence identities suggest that vB_OsaM_PD0307 is different from other phage isolates and represents a novel genus-level myoviral cluster with two high-quality uncultured viral genomes, designed as Oceanospimyovirus. Additionally, the biogeographical distribution of the vB_OsaM_PD0307 cluster suggests that they are widespread in the oceans and abundant in polar areas. In summary, our findings expand the current understanding of the phylogenetic diversity, genomic characteristic and function of Oceanospimyovirus phages, and highlight the role of the vB_OsaM_PD0307 phage as a major ecological agent that can infect certain key bacterial groups associated with polar algal blooms. ImportanceOceanospirillumphage vB_OsaM_PD0307 is the first myovirus found to infect Oceanospirillaceae and represents a novel viral genus, Oceanospimyovirus. This study provides insights into the genomic, phylogenetic, and ecological characteristics of myoviruses infecting Oceanospirillaceae and improves our understanding of the interactions between Oceanospirillaceae and their phages in the oceans.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2021

Ancient DNA and microfossils reveal dynamics of three harmful dinoflagellate species off Eastern Tasmania, Australia, over the last 9,000 years

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have significantly impacted the seafood industry along the Tasmanian east coast over the past four decades. To investigate the history of regional HABs, we applied sedimentary ancient DNA analyses (sedaDNA) to coastal sediments up to [~]9 000 years old collected inshore and offshore Maria Island, Tasmania. We used metagenomic shotgun sequencing combined with a hybridisation capture array ( HABbaits1) to target harmful dinoflagellates of the genera Alexandrium, Gymnodinium, and Noctiluca scintillans. Bioinformatic analyses were used to verify sedaDNA sequences and their presence in older layers, especially for microreticulate cyst forming species including Gymnodinium catenatum due to its important role in shellfish toxicity. Our results show that the Alexandrium genus (up to 854 and 20 reads per sample inshore and offshore, respectively, based on capture-data) has been present off eastern Tasmania within the last [~]8 307 years. For G. catenatum we detected a total of only 9 unambiguously verified reads sporadically between [~]7 638 years ago and the present in the offshore core. We recovered verified sedaDNA of the fragile, non-fossilising species N. scintillans, along with evidence of increased relative abundance from 2010, consistent with plankton surveys. This study identifies challenges regarding sedaDNA sequence validation of some species (in particular, for G. catenatum), and provides guidance for the development of tools to monitor past and present HAB species and events, and to improve future HAB event predictions. HighlightsO_LIMetagenomic sedaDNA and hybridisation capture enabled analyses of harmful dinoflagellates off Tasmania C_LIO_LISequence validation was used to confirm the presence of Alexandrium spp., Gymnodinium spp. and Noctiluca scintillans C_LIO_LIAlexandrium and Gymnodinium have been present in Tasmanian waters during the past [~]9 000 years C_LIO_LINoctiluca scintillans sedaDNA derived relative abundance correlates with its recorded increase since 2010 C_LI

genomics↗

bioRxiv2018

Metagenomic characterization of the viral community of the South Scotia Ridge

Viruses are the most abundant biological entities in aquatic ecosystems and harbor an enormous genetic diversity. While their great influence on the marine ecosystems is widely acknowledged, current information about their diversity remains scarce. Aviral metagenomic analysis of two surfaces and one bottom water sample was conducted from sites on the South Scotia Ridge (SSR) near the Antarctic Peninsula, during the austral summer 2016. The taxonomic composition and diversity of the viral communities were investigated and a functional assessment of the sequences was determined. Phylotypic analysis showed that most viruses belonging to the order Caudovirales, in particular, the family Podoviridae (41.92-48.7%), which is similar to the viral communities from the Pacific Ocean. Functional analysis revealed a relatively high frequency of phage-associated and metabolism genes. Phylogenetic analyses of phage TerL and Capsid_NCLDV (nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses) marker genes indicated that many of the sequences associated with Caudovirales and NCLDV were novel and distinct from known complete phage genomes. High Phaeocystis globosa virus virophage (Pgvv) signatures were found in SSR area and complete and partial Pgvv-like were obtained which may have an influence on host-virus interactions in the area during summer. Our study expands the existing knowledge of viral communities and their diversities from the Antarctic region and provides basic data for further exploring polar microbiomes.\n\nImportanceIn this study, we used high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to analyze the viral community structure and biodiversity of SSR in the open sea near the Antarctic Peninsula. The results showed that the SSR viromes are novel, oceanic-related viromes and a high proportion of sequence reads was classified as unknown. Among known virus counterparts, members of the order Caudovirales were most abundant which is consistent with viromes from the Pacific Ocean. In addition, phylogenetic analyses based on the viral marker genes (TerL and MCP) illustrate the high diversity among Caudovirales and NCLDV. Combining deep sequencing and a random subsampling assembly approach, a new Pgvv-like group was also found in this region, which may a signification factor regulating virus-host interactions.

microbiology↗