Open AccessPhylogenetic Relationships and Functional Genes: Distribution of a Gene ( mnxG ) Encoding a Putative Manganese-Oxidizing Enzyme in Bacillus Species
Author(s) -
L. E. Mayhew,
Elizabeth D. Swanner,
Andy P. Martin,
Alexis S. Templeton
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
applied and environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.552
H-Index - 324
eISSN - 1070-6291
pISSN - 0099-2240
DOI - 10.1128/aem.00540-08
Subject(s) - biology , gene , phylogenetic tree , 16s ribosomal rna , genetics , phylogenetics
SeveralBacillus andPaenibacillus species were isolated from Fe and Mn oxide minerals precipitating at a deep subsurface oxic-anoxic interface at Henderson Molybdenum Mine, Empire, CO. The isolates were investigated for their Mn(II)-oxidizing potential and interrogated for possession of themnxG gene, a gene that codes for a putative Mn(II)-oxidizing enzyme inBacillus species. Seven of eightBacillus species were capable of Mn(II) oxidation; however, themnxG gene was detected in only one isolate. Using sequences of knownBacillus species both with and without amplifiablemnxG genes and Henderson Mine isolates, the 16S rRNA andmnxG gene phylogenies were compared to determine if 16S rRNA sequences could be used to predict the presence or absence of an amplifiablemnxG gene within the genomes of the isolates. We discovered a strong correspondence between 16S rRNA sequence similarity and the presence/absence of an amplifiablemnxG gene in the isolates. The data revealed a complex phylogenetic distribution of themnxG gene in which vertical inheritance and gene loss influence the distribution of the gene among theBacillus species included in this study. Comparisons of 16S rRNA and functional gene phylogenies can be used as a tool to aid in unraveling the history and dispersal of themnxG gene within theBacillus clade.