MILLIMETER-SCALE GENETIC GRADIENTS AND COMMUNITY-LEVEL MOLECULAR CONVERGENCE IN A HYPERSALINE MICROBIAL MAT

Journal Article · Wed Apr 30 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · Molecular Systems Biology

OSTI ID:929406

Fenner, Marsha W; Kunin, Victor; Raes, Jeroen; Harris, J Kirk; Spear, John R; Walker, Jeffrey J; Ivanova, Natalia; Mering, Christian von; Bebout, Brad M; Pace, Norman R; Bork, Peer; Hugenholtz, Philip

To investigate the extent of genetic stratification in structured microbial communities, we compared the metagenomes of 10 successive layers of a phylogenetically complex hypersaline mat from Guerrero Negro, Mexico. We found pronounced millimeter-scale genetic gradients that are consistent with the physicochemical profile of the mat. Despite these gradients, all layers displayed near identical and acid-shifted isoelectric point profiles due to a molecular convergence of amino acid usage indicating that hypersalinity enforces an overriding selective pressure on the mat community.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Genomics Division
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 929406
• Report Number(s): LBNL-327E; TRN: US200814%%135
• Journal Information: Molecular Systems Biology, Vol. 4, Issue 198; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 06/03/2008
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59
AMINO ACIDS
COMMUNITIES
CONVERGENCE
GENETICS
STRATIFICATION