Iron requirements and uptake strategies of the globally abundant marine ammonia-oxidising archaeon, Nitrosopumilus maritimus SCM1.

ABSTRACT: Ammonia-oxidising archaea (AOA) mediate the rate-limiting step of nitrification, the central component of the marine nitrogen cycle that converts ammonia to nitrite then nitrate. Competition with phytoplankton for ammonium and light inhibition are considered to restrict AOA activity to below the photic zone, but observations of surface nitrification now demand a further understanding of the factors driving AOA distribution and activity. Pico- to nanomolar concentrations of iron (Fe) limit the growth of microorganisms in a significant portion of the world's surface oceans, yet there is no examination of the role of Fe in AOA growth despite the process of ammonia oxidation being considered to rely on the micronutrient. Here we investigate the Fe requirements and Fe uptake strategies of the N

SUBMITTER: Shafiee RT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6776035 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature