Fishing for biodiversity: Novel methanopterin-linked C1 transfergenes deduced from the Sargasso Sea metagenome
The recently generated database of microbial genes from anoligotrophic environment populated by a calculated 1,800 of major phylotypes (the Sargasso Sea metagenome) presents a great source for expanding local databases of genes indicative of a specific function. In this paper we analyze the Sargasso Sea metagenome in terms of the presence of methanopterin-linked C1 transfer genes that are signature for methylotrophy. We conclude that more than 10 phylotypes possessing genes of interest are present in this environment, and a few of these are relatively abundant species. The sequences representative of the major phylotypes do not appear to belong to any known microbial group capable of methanopterin-linked C1 transfer. Instead, they separate from all known sequences on phylogenetic trees, pointing towards their affiliation with a novel microbial phylum. These data imply a broader distribution of methanopterin-linked functions in the microbial world than previously known.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Director. Office of Science. Office of Biological andEnvironmental Research; National Science Foundation. MicrobialObservatories Program
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 886987
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-56605; R&D Project: 626882; BnR: KP1103010; TRN: US200617%%424
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 7, Issue 12; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 12/2005; ISSN 1462-2912
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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