Work

Old meets new: most probable number validation of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic datasets in soil

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics provide insights into biological processes in complex substrates such as soil, but linking the presence and expression of genes with functions can be difficult. Here, we obtain traditional most probable number estimates (MPN) of Rhizobium abundance in soil as a form of sample validation. Our work shows that in the Highfield experiment at Rothamsted, which has three contrasting conditions (>50 years continual bare fallow, wheat and grassland), MPN based on host plant nodulation assays corroborate metagenomic and metatranscriptomic estimates for Rhizobium leguminosarum sv. trifolii abundance. This validation is important to legitimize soil metagenomics and metatranscriptomics for the study of complex relationships between gene function and phylogeny. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study has demonstrated for the first time a functional assay validation of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic datasets by utilizing the clover and Rhizobium leguminosarum sv. trifolii mutualism. The results show that the Most Probable Number results corroborate the results of the 'omics approaches and gives confidence to the study of other biological systems where such a cross-check is not available.

Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology

DOI: 10.1111/lam.12821

Authors: T.H. Mauchline, R. Hayat, I.M. Clark, P.R. Hirsch

Institutions: Rothamsted Research, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University

Language: English

Topic: Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,240