Cayo Mayra, Solís-Cornejo Francisco, Santos Andrés, Zamorano Pedro, Valenzuela Bernardita
Programa de Magíster en Ecología de Sistemas Acuáticos, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile.
Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Aplicadas Mención Sistemas Acuáticos, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile.
Microorganisms. 2025 Jul 1;13(7):1547. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms13071547.
is an endemic cactus species from the Antofagasta region, Chile, thriving in arid coastal ecosystems known as "fog oases," where the rising marine moisture is the primary water source. This study investigates the role of microbial communities associated with the rhizosphere of in adapting to extreme environmental conditions, particularly focusing on the gene, which encodes ACC deaminase-an enzyme that reduces ethylene production under stress. This research aims to elucidate the gene's contribution to the adaptation of in these challenging environments. Samples were collected from three sites (El Cobre, Quebrada Botija, and Quebrada Izcuña) that differ in relative humidity, temperature, and topography. Environmental DNA was extracted, phylogenetic diversity was analyzed, and metagenomic annotation of the gene was conducted. The gene was detected in all samples, with the highest relative abundance at Quebrada Izcuña (0.05%), characterized by low relative humidity (<70%) and severe water stress. Phylogenetic analysis revealed conserved sequences across sites, while taxonomic and alpha diversity were similar among them. However, beta diversity indicated that Quebrada Izcuña was the least homogeneous, hosting distinct taxa potentially associated with stress mitigation. The gene was detected on plasmids at El Cobre and Quebrada Izcuña, suggesting its potential mobility within the metagenome. The results of this study highlight the intricate relationships between microbial communities and the resilient cactus species in extreme environments. The conservation and abundance of the gene, particularly in low-humidity conditions, suggest its vital role in facilitating stress tolerance through microbial interactions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing strategies to enhance plant resilience in arid ecosystems, with potential applications in sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management under changing climatic conditions.
是一种来自智利安托法加斯塔地区的本土仙人掌物种，生长在被称为“雾绿洲”的干旱沿海生态系统中，那里上升的海洋水汽是主要水源。本研究调查了与该植物根际相关的微生物群落，在适应极端环境条件中的作用，特别关注编码ACC脱氨酶的基因，该酶在胁迫下可减少乙烯生成。本研究旨在阐明该基因在这些具有挑战性的环境中对该植物适应的贡献。样本采集自三个相对湿度、温度和地形不同的地点（埃尔科布雷、博蒂亚河和伊斯库尼亚河）。提取环境DNA，分析系统发育多样性，并对该基因进行宏基因组注释。在所有样本中均检测到该基因，在伊斯库尼亚河相对丰度最高（0.05%），其特点是相对湿度低（<70%）且存在严重水分胁迫。系统发育分析揭示了各地点间的保守序列，而分类学和α多样性在它们之间相似。然而，β多样性表明伊斯库尼亚河的同质性最低，拥有可能与减轻胁迫相关的独特分类群。在埃尔科布雷和伊斯库尼亚河的质粒上检测到该基因，表明其在宏基因组内具有潜在的流动性。本研究结果突出了极端环境中微生物群落与适应性强的仙人掌物种之间的复杂关系。该基因的保守性和丰度，特别是在低湿度条件下，表明其在通过微生物相互作用促进胁迫耐受性方面的重要作用。了解这些动态对于制定增强干旱生态系统中植物适应性的策略至关重要，在气候变化条件下的可持续农业和生态系统管理中具有潜在应用价值。
