Metaproteomic evaluation on the microbial community functions in a mesoscale cyclonic eddy perturbation

Eddy pumping is a process by which mesoscale eddies induce isopycnal displacements that lift nutrient-replete waters into the euphotic zone, driving a set of biogeochemical processes in the ocean. To investigate the potential effect of physical processes on the microbial community functions, the microbial community metaproteomic profiles were determined in a cold-core cyclonic eddy in the South China Sea (SCS). The significant differences of metaproteomic patterns accurately predicted their distinct functional responses to environmental changes caused by the mesoscale cyclonic eddy perturbations. From the protein gel profiles, 11 proteins were successfully identified by MALDI TOF MS/MS, including nitrogen regulatory proteins, ribosomal proteins and substrate transport proteins, etc, which implied the metabolic responses of the microbial populations to the nutrients change within the cyclonic eddies. These results highlight the potential of metaproteomics for studying complex microbial consortium in the ocean and contributed to our understanding of the biological consequences of a mesoscale cyclonic eddy in the SCS.