土の知られざる助っ人たち: 植物の分解を支える無脊椎動物の働き(Unknown helpers of the soil: How invertebrates support the decomposition of plants)

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2024-06-12 ゲーテ大学

植物が死ぬと、微生物や土壌に生息する無脊椎動物が有機物を分解します。ドイツの研究チームは、これらの無脊椎動物が植物細胞壁のセルロースを分解する遺伝的基盤を解明し始めました。研究では、バネムシやツノダニなどの種がセルロース分解酵素を持っていることが分かりました。新しいゲノム解析方法により、これらの小型で多様な動物の遺伝情報が明らかになりました。これにより、土壌の炭素と栄養素の循環予測が改善され、無脊椎動物がセルロース分解の第三の独立したグループとして考慮されるべきだと示唆されています。

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土壌無脊椎動物にGH45セルラーゼが広く存在することをゲノムが証明 Genomic evidence for the widespread presence of GH45 cellulases among soil invertebrates

Hannah Muelbaier, Freya Arthen, Gemma Collins, Thomas Hickler, Karin Hohberg, Ricarda Lehmitz, Yannick Pauchet, Markus Pfenninger, Anton Potapov, Juliane Romahn, Ina Schaefer …
Molecular Ecology  Published: 07 May 2024
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17351

Details are in the caption following the image

Abstract

Lignocellulose is a major component of vascular plant biomass. Its decomposition is crucial for the terrestrial carbon cycle. Microorganisms are considered primary decomposers, but evidence increases that some invertebrates may also decompose lignocellulose. We investigated the taxonomic distribution and evolutionary origins of GH45 hydrolases, important enzymes for the decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose, in a collection of soil invertebrate genomes. We found that these genes are common in springtails and oribatid mites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that cellulase genes were acquired early in the evolutionary history of these groups. Domain architectures and predicted 3D enzyme structures indicate that these cellulases are functional. Patterns of presence and absence of these genes across different lineages prompt further investigation into their evolutionary and ecological benefits. The ubiquity of cellulase genes suggests that soil invertebrates may play a role in lignocellulose decomposition, independently or in synergy with microorganisms. Understanding the ecological and evolutionary implications might be crucial for understanding soil food webs and the carbon cycle.

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