title: Direct analysis of sulfate reducing bacterial communities in gas hydrate-impacted marine sediments by PCR-DGGE.
abstract: Molecular investigations of the sulfate reducing bacteria that target the dissimilatory sulfite-reductase subunit A gene (dsr A) are plagued by the nonspecific performance of conventional PCR primers. Here we describe the incorporation of the FailSafe PCR System to optimize environmental analysis of dsr A by PCR amplification and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. PCR-DGGE analysis of dsr A composition revealed that SRB diversity was greater and more variable throughout the vertical profile of a marine sediment core obtained from a gas hydrate site (GC234) in the Gulf of Mexico than in a sediment core collected from a nearby site devoid of gas hydrates (NBP). Depth profiled dsr B abundance corresponded with sulfate reduction rates at both sites, though measurements were higher at GC234. This study exemplifies the numerical and functional importance of sulfate reducing bacteria in deep-sea sedimentary environments, and incremental methodological advancements, as described herein, will continue to streamline the analysis of sulfate reducer communities in situ.
authors.affiliation: Savannah River National Laboratory, Environmental Sciences and Biotechnology, Aiken, SC 29803, USA. Christopher.bagwell@srnl.doe.gov
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Bagwell
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Formolo
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Chris M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yeager
authors.forename: Timothy W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: Chuanlun L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Zhang