<p>Elucidating the temporal dynamics of complex microbial consortia is crucial for engineering robust microbiome. We investigated prokaryotic evolution in pit mud, a centuries-old engineered environment used in Chinese liquor fermentation. Metagenomic analysis of 120 pit mud samples across different ages revealed a transition from generalist-dominated to specialist-enriched communities. This shift was characterized by decreased hydrolytic potential and increased organic acid metabolism, with key taxonomic changes including declines in <i>Proteiniphilum</i> and <i>Petrimonas</i>, and increases in <i>Methanobacterium</i> and <i>Caproicibacter</i>. The mature specialist community accelerates the short-chain organic acids turnover through syntrophic fatty acid oxidation, methanogenesis, and carbon chain elongation, maintaining ecosystem stability. While nutrient availability primarily shapes early stages community interactions, environmental stress becomes a dominant factor in mature systems. These insights into long-term prokaryotic adaptation provide a foundation for the rational design of resilient, functionally optimized microbial communities for biotechnological applications.</p>

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Prokaryotic evolution shapes specialized communities in long term engineered pit mud ecosystem

  • Yan Zeng,
  • Xiaozhong Zhong,
  • Lijuan Chai,
  • Xiaojuan Zhang,
  • Zhenming Lu,
  • Guangqian Liu,
  • Tingyao Tu,
  • Lingfei Lu,
  • Rui Zhang,
  • Hui Yu,
  • Suyi Zhang,
  • Songtao Wang,
  • Caihong Shen,
  • Jinsong Shi,
  • Zhenghong Xu

摘要

Elucidating the temporal dynamics of complex microbial consortia is crucial for engineering robust microbiome. We investigated prokaryotic evolution in pit mud, a centuries-old engineered environment used in Chinese liquor fermentation. Metagenomic analysis of 120 pit mud samples across different ages revealed a transition from generalist-dominated to specialist-enriched communities. This shift was characterized by decreased hydrolytic potential and increased organic acid metabolism, with key taxonomic changes including declines in Proteiniphilum and Petrimonas, and increases in Methanobacterium and Caproicibacter. The mature specialist community accelerates the short-chain organic acids turnover through syntrophic fatty acid oxidation, methanogenesis, and carbon chain elongation, maintaining ecosystem stability. While nutrient availability primarily shapes early stages community interactions, environmental stress becomes a dominant factor in mature systems. These insights into long-term prokaryotic adaptation provide a foundation for the rational design of resilient, functionally optimized microbial communities for biotechnological applications.