Characterization of monooxygenase gene diversity in benzene-amended soils.
OBJECTIVE
To understand soil benzene monooxygenase gene diversity by clone library construction and microarray profiling.


RESULTS
A primer set was designed, and benzene monooxygenase gene diversity was characterized in two benzene-amended soils. The dominant sequence types in the clone libraries were distinct between the two soils, and both sequences were assigned to novel clusters. Monooxygenase gene richness and diversity increased after benzene degradation. Oligonucleotide probes for microarray analysis were designed to detect a number of sequenced clones and reported monooxygenase genes. The microarray detected several genes that were not detected in the clone libraries of the same samples. Six probes were detected in more than one soil.


CONCLUSIONS
The primer set designed in this study successfully detected diverse benzene monooxygenase genes. The level of diversity may have increased because the degradation of benzene differed from soil to soil. Microarrays have great potential in the comprehensive detection of gene richness as well as the elucidation of key genes for degradation.


CONCLUSIONS
This study introduces a new primer set that may be used to identify diverse benzene monooxygenase genes in the environment; moreover, it demonstrates the potential of microarray technology in the profiling of environmental samples.
Iwai
S
S
Department of Urban Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Kurisu
F
F
Urakawa
H
H
Yagi
O
O
Furumai
H
H
D001554:Benzene / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*
D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases; D001554:Benzene