Diversity and distribution of the lanthanome in aerobic methane-oxidising bacteria

Background

Lanthanides (Ln) play important and often regulatory roles in the metabolism of methylotrophs, including methanotrophs, particularly through their involvement in methanol oxidation. However, the diversity, distribution, and ecological relevance of Ln-associated proteins (the lanthanome) in aerobic methane-oxidising bacteria (MOB) remain underexplored. This study investigates the lanthanome using genome, plasmid, and proteome data, alongside metatranscriptome data from methane-rich lake sediments.

Results

We surveyed 179 genomes spanning Proteobacterial, Verrucomicrobial, and Actinobacterial MOBs to examine the distribution of Ln-dependent methanol dehydrogenases (MDHs) and Ln transport proteins. Distinct lineage-specific patterns were observed: XoxF5 was the most widespread MDH variant in Proteobacteria, while XoxF2 was restricted to Verrucomicrobia. Transporter systems also showed distinct patterns, with LanM restricted to Alphaproteobacteria, LanPepSY and LanA confined to Gammaproteobacteria, and LutH-like receptors broadly distributed across all lineages. Homologues of these genes were also detected on plasmids, indicating potential for horizontal gene transfer. In Lake Washington sediment metatranscriptomes, lanthanome transcripts were detected, with Proteobacteria as dominant contributors. Notably, a large fraction of xoxF transcripts were affiliated with non-MOB Methylophilaceae, consistent with known cooperative interactions with MOB. Using Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b as a model, we assessed methane oxidation and proteomic responses to soluble CeCl3 and a mixed-lanthanide ore. Lag phases were prolonged in the presence of lanthanides, particularly with ore, but methane oxidation rates converged across treatments after acclimation. Proteomic analysis revealed extensive condition-specific responses, with 724 proteins differentially expressed in Ore treatment compared to 60 under CeCl3. XoxF3 and XoxF5 were upregulated while MxaF and its accessory proteins were downregulated, consistent with the “lanthanide switch”. Notably, LanM was not expressed despite being encoded, whereas LutH-like receptor was downregulated under both treatments, likely reflecting regulatory control to prevent excess metal uptake. Additional upregulation of a TonB-dependent receptor and ABC transporter suggests a potential lanthanophore-mediated uptake strategy.

Conclusion

This study highlights the diversity and ecological activity of Ln-binding and transport systems in MOBs, their plasmid localisation and potential mobility, and their distinct regulation under different Ln sources. The strong proteomic response to complex ore underscores the physiological flexibility of MOBs in coping with natural lanthanide forms. These findings provide a framework for ecological studies and candidate targets for biotechnological applications in methane bioconversion and sustainable lanthanide recovery from complex materials.