Community genomics among stratified microbial assemblages in the ocean's interior.
Microbial life predominates in the ocean, yet little is known about its genomic variability, especially along the depth continuum. We report here genomic analyses of planktonic microbial communities in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, from the ocean's surface to near-sea floor depths. Sequence variation in microbial community genes reflected vertical zonation of taxonomic groups, functional gene repertoires, and metabolic potential. The distributional patterns of microbial genes suggested depth-variable community trends in carbon and energy metabolism, attachment and motility, gene mobility, and host-viral interactions. Comparative genomic analyses of stratified microbial communities have the potential to provide significant insight into higher-order community organization and dynamics.
DeLong
Edward F
EF
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. delong@mit.edu
Preston
Christina M
CM
Mincer
Tracy
T
Rich
Virginia
V
Hallam
Steven J
SJ
Frigaard
Niels-Ulrik
NU
Martinez
Asuncion
A
Sullivan
Matthew B
MB
Edwards
Robert
R
Brito
Beltran Rodriguez
BR
Chisholm
Sallie W
SW
Karl
David M
DM
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001105:Archaea / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019843:Archaeal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D019295:Computational Biology; D003360:Cosmids; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D017753:Ecosystem; D015723:Gene Library; D019766:Genes, Archaeal; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D020459:Genes, rRNA; D023281:Genomics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014871:Water Microbiology
D019843:Archaeal Proteins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004279:DNA, Viral