Premium
New alk genes detected in Antarctic marine sediments
Author(s) -
Kuhn Emanuele,
Bellicanta Giovani Sebben,
Pellizari Vivian Helena
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2008.01843.x
Subject(s) - alkb , biology , gene , phylotype , rhodococcus , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , bacteria , 16s ribosomal rna , escherichia coli
Summary Alkane monooxygenases (Alk) are the key enzymes for alkane degradation. In order to understand the dispersion and diversity of alk genes in Antarctic marine environments, this study analysed by clone libraries the presence and diversity of alk genes ( alkB and alkM ) in sediments from Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Peninsula Antarctica. The results show a differential distribution of alk genes between the sites, and the predominant presence of new alk genes, mainly in the pristine site. Sequences presented 53.10–69.60% nucleotide identity and 50.90–73.40% amino acid identity to alkB genes described in Silicibacter pomeroyi , Gordonia sp., Prauserella rugosa , Nocardioides sp., Rhodococcus sp., Nocardia farcinica , Pseudomonas putida , Acidisphaera sp., Alcanivorax borkumensis , and alkM described in Acinetobacter sp. This is the first time that the gene alkM was detected and described in Antarctic marine environments. The presence of a range of previously undescribed alk genes indicates the need for further studies in this environment.