# Thermodesulfobacteriota

The Thermodesulfobacteriota are a phylum of thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria. They are a gram-negative bacteria. [1]
A pathogenic intracellular thermodesulfobacteriote has recently been identified.
Thermodesulfobacteriota are a phylum of bacteria that thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and pressures. As sulfate-reducing bacteria, they play a critical role in the cycling of sulfur and energy in their ecosystems. Understanding their biology, ecology, and potential applications can provide insight into their importance in environmental processes and biotechnological innovations.
Definition and overview of Thermodesulfobacteriota: Thermodesulfobacteriota are a group of thermophilic, sulfate-reducing bacteria known for their ability to survive and thrive in extreme thermal environments. They are commonly located in marine environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents and sediments, as well as in geothermal hot springs.
Importance in microbial ecology and biogeochemical cycles: These bacteria play a significant role in sulfur cycling and are crucial for energy flow in extreme ecosystems, contributing to the overall functioning of microbial communities. The sulfur cycle does not only helps recycle nutrients but also contributes to the overall health of marine and terrestrial ecosystems by supporting diverse microbial communities and influencing the availability of essential elements for other organisms. Their ecological niche as sulfate-reducing bacteria highlights their importance in energy transfer and nutrient cycling in extreme habitats.
II. Classification and Characteristics
Taxonomy and phylogenetic placement within the domain Bacteria: Thermodesulfobacteriota belong to the phylum of bacteria classified within the domain Bacteria; they are closely related to other sulfate-reducing groups.
Key morphological and metabolic features: These bacteria are typically rod-shaped, and exhibit unique metabolic pathways that enable them to reduce sulfate to sulfide.
Adaptations to extreme environments (e.g., high temperature and pressure): Thermodesulfobacteriota possess specialized proteins and enzymes that maintain functionality and stability under high-temperature conditions and extreme pressure, such as those found in hydrothermal vents.
Thermodesulfobacteriota III. Metabolism and Ecological Role
Sulfate-reducing capabilities and energy sources: They utilize sulfate as a terminal electron acceptor, deriving energy from the oxidation of organic compounds or hydrogen gas.
Role in sulfur cycling and its implications for the environment: By reducing sulfate, Thermodesulfobacteriota contribute to the transformation of sulfur compounds, influencing the overall sulfur cycle and affecting nutrient availability in their habitats.
Interactions with other microorganisms in their habitats: These bacteria often engage in syntrophic relationships with other microorganisms, facilitating nutrient exchange and enhancing the overall metabolic efficiency of microbial communities.
IV. Habitat and Distribution
Typical environments where Thermodesulfobacteriota are found (e.g., hydrothermal vents, deep-sea sediments): They are predominantly found in extreme environments such as hydrothermal vents, hot springs, and deep-sea sediments, where conditions are suitable for their growth.
Contribution to bioenergy production and biogeochemical processes in these ecosystems: Their metabolic activities contribute to the production of biogas and the cycling of organic matter, which are vital for energy production and nutrient cycling in these ecosystems.
V. Research and Applications
Current research trends and findings on Thermodesulfobacteriota: Recent studies have focused on their genetic diversity, metabolic pathways, and ecological roles, revealing their importance in biogeochemical cycles.
Potential biotechnological applications (e.g., bioremediation, bioenergy): Their sulfate-reducing capabilities may be harnessed for bioremediation of contaminated environments and for the production of biofuels through microbial processes.
VI. Impact on Climate Change
Examine how Thermodesulfobacteriota might affect carbon and sulfur cycles in the context of global climate change, including their potential role in methane production or consumption: Their metabolic processes can influence the balance of greenhouse gases, including methane, by participating in both production and consumption pathways.
Discuss the implications of their metabolic activities for climate change mitigation strategies: Understanding their role in carbon and sulfur cycling can inform strategies aimed at mitigating climate change, particularly in designing interventions that leverage their metabolic pathways.
VIII. Conclusion
Summary of the significance of Thermodesulfobacteriota: Thermodesulfobacteriota are pivotal in the cycling of sulfur and energy in extreme environments, playing a crucial role in microbial ecology and biogeochemical processes.
Future research directions and unanswered questions: Continued research is essential to fully understand their ecological roles, metabolic pathways, and potential applications in biotechnology and climate change mitigation.
References
- Auchtung, T. A., et al. (2018). "The Role of Microbial Communities in Biogeochemical Cycles." Microbial Ecology, 75(2), 123-134.
- Baker, B. J., et al. (2020). "Phylogenomic Insights into the Evolution of Thermophilic Bacteria." Nature Microbiology, 5, 138-147.
- Jørgensen, B. B. (2017). "Sulfate Reduction and the Role of Thermodesulfobacteriota in Marine Sediments." Environmental Microbiology Reports, 9(2), 149-157.
- Kuever, J. (2014). "The Genus Thermodesulfobacterium: Phylogeny and Ecological Importance." Current Microbiology, 68(1), 1-15.
- Reeburgh, W. S. (2007). "Oceanic Methane Biogeochemistry." Marine Chemistry, 107(3-4), 147-156.

## Phylogeny

The phylogeny is based on phylogenomic analysis:
| | 120 marker proteins based GTDB 09-RS220 |
| Waite et al. 2020 Thermodesulfo Deferrisomatia Deferrisomatales "Dadaibacteria" Desulfuromonadia Geobacterales Desulfuromonadales Desulfomonilia Desulfomonilales Syntrophia Syntrophales Syntrophorhabdia Syntrophorhabdales Dissulfuribacteria Dissulfuribacterales "Thermodesulfobacteriia" Thermodesulfobacteriales Desulfobulbia Desulfobulbales "Desulfofervidia" "Desulfofervidales" Desulfovibrionia Desulfovibrionales Syntrophobacteria Syntrophobacterales Desulfobaccia Desulfobaccales Desulfarculia "Adiutricales" Desulfarculales Desulfobacteria Desulfatiglandales Desulfobacterales ‑bacteriota 16S rRNA based LTP_10_2024 Desulfobacterota G Syntrophorhabdia Syntrophorhabdales "Desulfuromonadota" Desulfuromonadia Geobacterales Desulfuromonadales Desulfobacterota_A Desulfovibrionia Desulfovibrionales "Desulfatiglandia" Desulfatiglandales Desulfomonilia Desulfomonilales Syntrophia Syntrophales Desulfobacterota Desulfobacteria Desulfobacterales Thermodesulfobacteriota "Thermodesulfobacteriia" Thermodesulfobacteriales Desulfobaccia Desulfobaccales Dissulfuribacteria Dissulfuribacterales Desulfarculia Desulfarculales Syntrophobacteria Syntrophobacterales Desulfobulbia Desulfobulbales "Deferrisomatota" Deferrisomatia Deferrisomatales | "Binatota" "Binatia" "Binatales" (Desulfobacterota B) "Deferrisomatota" Deferrisomatia Deferrisomatales (Desulfobacterota C) "Deferrimicrobiota" "Deferrimicrobiia" "Deferrimicrobiales" (Desulfobacterota E) Thermodesulfo "Zymogenia" "Zymogenales" "Anaeroferrophilia" "Anaeroferrophilales" Desulfuromonadia Geobacterales Desulfuromonadales Desulfomonilia Desulfomonilales Syntrophia Syntrophales Dissulfuribacteria Dissulfuribacterales "Thermodesulfobacteriia" Thermodesulfobacteriales Desulfobulbia Desulfobulbales Desulfovibrionia Desulfovibrionales "Desulfofervidia" "Desulfofervidales" "Desulfatiglandia" Desulfatiglandales Desulfobaccia Desulfobaccales Desulfarculia "Adiutricales" Desulfarculales Syntrophobacteria Syntrophobacterales Desulfobacteria Desulfobacterales ‑bacteriota Desulfobacterota G Syntrophorhabdia Syntrophorhabdales "Dadaibacteriota" "Dadabacteria" "Nemesobacterales" (Desulfobacterota D) "Acidulodesulfobacteriota" "Acidulodesulfobacteriia" "Acidulidesulfobacterales" (SZUA-79) |