title: Genome sequence of the ubiquitous hydrocarbon-degrading marine bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis.
abstract: Alcanivorax borkumensis is a cosmopolitan marine bacterium that uses oil hydrocarbons as its exclusive source of carbon and energy. Although barely detectable in unpolluted environments, A. borkumensis becomes the dominant microbe in oil-polluted waters. A. borkumensis SK2 has a streamlined genome with a paucity of mobile genetic elements and energy generation-related genes, but with a plethora of genes accounting for its wide hydrocarbon substrate range and efficient oil-degradation capabilities. The genome further specifies systems for scavenging of nutrients, particularly organic and inorganic nitrogen and oligo-elements, biofilm formation at the oil-water interface, biosurfactant production and niche-specific stress responses. The unique combination of these features provides A. borkumensis SK2 with a competitive edge in oil-polluted environments. This genome sequence provides the basis for the future design of strategies to mitigate the ecological damage caused by oil spills.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Genetik, Fakultät für Biologie, Universität Bielefeld, D-33594 Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schneiker
authors.forename: Vítor A P
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Martins dos Santos
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bartels
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bekel
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brecht
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buhrmester
authors.forename: Tatyana N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Chernikova
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Denaro
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gertler
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goesmann
authors.forename: Olga V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Golyshina
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kaminski
authors.forename: Amit N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Khachane
authors.forename: Siegmund
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Burkhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Linke
authors.forename: Alice C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: McHardy
authors.forename: Folker
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Taras
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nechitaylo
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pühler
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Regenhardt
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rupp
authors.forename: Julia S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Sabirova
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Selbitschka
authors.forename: Michail M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Yakimov
authors.forename: Kenneth N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Timmis
authors.forename: Frank-Jörg
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Vorhölter
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weidner
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Peter N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Golyshin
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002874:Chromosome Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D016680:Genome, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D044129:Halomonadaceae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons