Research progress on primers and molecular ecology of comammox Nitrospira

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202008.032

Abstract

Abstract: Nitrification is a key process in nitrogen cycling, which has received considerable attention in the research field of soil biochemistry. In 2015, the discovery of complete ammonia oxidizers (Comammox) challenged conventional two-step nitrification perspective, which represented a paradigm shift in the understanding of soil nitrogen cycling. Comammox are a group of microorganisms capable of conducting both steps of nitrification. In this review, we summarized current understan-ding of the molecular ecology of comammox, including specific molecular biomarkers for comammox, phylogenetic and genomic surveys of comammox and particularly the distribution, diversity and ecological significance of comammox in soil. Further studies should focus on: 1) designing specific molecular biomarkers to examine the distribution and diversity of comammox; 2) optimizing cultivation techniques to isolate/enrich comammox cultures and expending our insights into physiological traits of comammox; 3) characterizing their distribution and in situ activities to elucidate the contribution of comammox processes to soil nitrification and their ecological features, which may assist in unco-vering the mechanisms of nitrogen cycling and promote the environmental protection of soil ecosystem.

Key words: comammox, Nitrospira, DNA primer, phylogenetic analysis, genomics, nitrification inhibitor

GAO Fu-yun, LI Ya-ying, YAO Huai-ying. Research progress on primers and molecular ecology of comammox Nitrospira[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2020, 31(8): 2831-2840.

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