Widespread Production of Extracellular Superoxide by Heterotrophic Bacteria

Abstract

Sending Out an ROS The global imprint of biological activity in aquatic environments is often considered a consequence of enzyme-mediated redox reactions that support metabolic activity, such as reducing oxygen during respiration. But some organisms also release redox-active reactive oxygen species (ROS) into the environment—to acquire trace metals or to prevent viral infections—which can influence global processes like nutrient availability and contaminant transport. Photosynthetic organisms like phytoplankton are thought to be the primary biological source of ROS in freshwater and marine environments. However, Diaz et al. (p. 1223 , published online 2 May; see the Perspective by Shaked and Rose ) now show that a broad range of ecologically and phylogenetically diverse heterotrophic bacteria also produce large quantities of superoxide. Production rates vary widely across 30 common bacterial isolates but in some cases were greater than production rates of phytoplankton. Because these bacteria do not require light to grow, they may be the dominant source of ROS in dark environments like the deep ocean, terrestrial soils, or lake sediments.