title: Comparative metagenome of a stream impacted by the urbanization phenomenon.
abstract: Rivers and streams are important reservoirs of freshwater for human consumption. These ecosystems are threatened by increasing urbanization, because raw sewage discharged into them alters their nutrient content and may affect the composition of their microbial community. In the present study, we investigate the taxonomic and functional profile of the microbial community in an urban lotic environment. Samples of running water were collected at two points in the São Pedro stream: an upstream preserved and non-urbanized area, and a polluted urbanized area with discharged sewage. The metagenomic DNA was sequenced by pyrosequencing. Differences were observed in the community composition at the two sites. The non-urbanized area was overrepresented by genera of ubiquitous microbes that act in the maintenance of environments. In contrast, the urbanized metagenome was rich in genera pathogenic to humans. The functional profile indicated that the microbes act on the metabolism of methane, nitrogen and sulfur, especially in the urbanized area. It was also found that virulence/defense (antibiotic resistance and metal resistance) and stress response-related genes were disseminated in the urbanized environment. The structure of the microbial community was altered by uncontrolled anthropic interference, highlighting the selective pressure imposed by high loads of urban sewage discharged into freshwater environments.
authors: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: jdutramedeiros@gmail.com.
authors: Julliane Dutra
authors: JD
authors: Medeiros
authors: Embrapa Suínos e Aves, Concórdia, SC, Brazil.
authors: Maurício Egídio
authors: ME
authors: Cantão
authors: Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors: Dionéia Evangelista
authors: DE
authors: Cesar
authors: Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.
authors: Marisa Fabiana
authors: MF
authors: Nicolás
authors: Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors: Cláudio Galuppo
authors: CG
authors: Diniz
authors: Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
authors: Vânia Lúcia
authors: VL
authors: Silva
authors: Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica, Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.
authors: Ana Tereza Ribeiro de
authors: AT
authors: Vasconcelos
authors: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors: Cíntia Marques
authors: CM
authors: Coelho
mesh_terms: D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; D017753:Ecosystem; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D054892:Metagenome; D056186:Metagenomics; D064307:Microbiota; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D045483:Rivers / Q000382:microbiology*; D014507:Urbanization; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: Aquatic environment; Metagenomic; Microbial community; Urbanization