Discovery of an Abundance of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters in Shark Bay Microbial Mats

Researchers have uncovered a remarkable abundance of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in the microbial mats of Shark Bay, Western Australia. This discovery highlights the potential for microorganisms in extreme environments to produce secondary metabolites, which offer competitive advantages and biotechnological applications. The study identified 1477 BGCs across a 20 mm depth horizon, with the surface layer showing the highest relative abundance. Notably, terpene and bacteriocin BGCs were prominent, suggesting their significant roles in ecosystem function. Additionally, potentially novel BGCs were detected in Heimdallarchaeota and Lokiarchaeota, archaeal phyla not previously known to possess such clusters. This finding provides new insights into how secondary metabolites may enable microbial communities to adapt to harsh conditions.

Chen, R., Wong, H. L., Kindler, G. S., MacLeod, F. I., Benaud, N., Ferrari, B. C., & Burns, B. P. (2020). Discovery of an Abundance of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters in Shark Bay Microbial Mats. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.01950