Open AccessMetabolic and genomic analysis elucidates strain-level variation inMicrobacterium spp.isolated from chromate contaminated sediment
Author(s) -
Michael W. Henson,
Jorge W. Santo Domingo,
Peter Stefanov Kourtev,
Roderick V. Jensen,
James A. Dunn,
Deric R. Learman
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
peerj
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.927
H-Index - 70
ISSN - 2167-8359
DOI - 10.7717/peerj.1395
Subject(s) - microbacterium , chromate conversion coating , bioremediation , strain (injury) , 16s ribosomal rna , hexavalent chromium , biology , environmental chemistry , biogeochemical cycle , bacteria , phylogenetic tree , chromium , biosorption , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , chemistry , gene , genetics , adsorption , sorption , organic chemistry , anatomy
Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a soluble carcinogen that has caused widespread contamination of soil and water in many industrial nations. Bacteria have the potential to aid remediation as certain strains can catalyze the reduction of Cr(VI) to insoluble and less toxic Cr(III). Here, we examine Cr(VI) reducing Microbacterium spp. (Cr-K1W, Cr-K20, Cr-K29, and Cr-K32) isolated from contaminated sediment (Seymore, Indiana) and show varying chromate responses despite the isolates’ phylogenetic similarity (i.e., identical 16S rRNA gene sequences). Detailed analysis identified differences based on genomic metabolic potential, growth and general metabolic capabilities, and capacity to resist and reduce Cr(VI). Taken together, the discrepancies between the isolates demonstrate the complexity inter-strain variation can have on microbial physiology and related biogeochemical processes.
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