RNA stable isotope probing, a novel means of linking microbial community function to phylogeny.
Identifying microorganisms responsible for recognized environmental processes remains a great challenge in contemporary microbial ecology. Only in the last few years have methodological innovations provided access to the relationship between the function of a microbial community and the phylogeny of the organisms accountable for it. In this study stable-isotope-labeled [13C]phenol was fed into a phenol-degrading community from an aerobic industrial bioreactor, and the 13C-labeled RNA produced was used to identify the bacteria responsible for the process. Stable-isotope-labeled RNA was analyzed by equilibrium density centrifugation in concert with reverse transcription-PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. In contradiction with findings from conventional methodologies, this unique approach revealed that phenol degradation in the microbial community under investigation is dominated by a member of the Thauera genus. Our results suggest that this organism is important for the function of this bioreactor.
Manefield
Mike
M
CEH Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SR, United Kingdom.
Whiteley
Andrew S
AS
Griffiths
Robert I
RI
Bailey
Mark J
MJ
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D019800:Phenol / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D015347:RNA Probes; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D020628:Thauera / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D015347:RNA Probes; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D019800:Phenol