title: Alkane biodegradation genes from chronically polluted subantarctic coastal sediments and their shifts in response to oil exposure.
abstract: Although sediments are the natural hydrocarbon sink in the marine environment, the ecology of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in sediments is poorly understood, especially in cold regions. We studied the diversity of alkane-degrading bacterial populations and their response to oil exposure in sediments of a chronically polluted Subantarctic coastal environment, by analyzing alkane monooxygenase (alkB) gene libraries. Sequences from the sediment clone libraries were affiliated with genes described in Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, with 67 % amino acid identity in average to sequences from isolated microorganisms. The majority of the sequences were most closely related to uncultured microorganisms from cold marine sediments or soils from high latitude regions, highlighting the role of temperature in the structuring of this bacterial guild. The distribution of alkB sequences among samples of different sites and years, and selection after experimental oil exposure allowed us to identify ecologically relevant alkB genes in Subantarctic sediments, which could be used as biomarkers for alkane biodegradation in this environment. 16 S rRNA amplicon pyrosequencing indicated the abundance of several genera for which no alkB genes have yet been described (Oleispira, Thalassospira) or that have not been previously associated with oil biodegradation (Spongiibacter-formerly Melitea-, Maribius, Robiginitomaculum, Bizionia and Gillisia). These genera constitute candidates for future work involving identification of hydrocarbon biodegradation pathway genes.
authors.affiliation: Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT - CONICET), Blvd. Brown 2915, U9120ACD, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.
authors.forename: Lilian M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Guibert
authors.forename: Claudia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Loviso
authors.forename: Magalí S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Marcos
authors.forename: Marta G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Commendatore
authors.forename: Hebe M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Dionisi
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lozada
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes / Q000378:metabolism*; D000864:Antarctic Regions; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D042926:Cytochrome P-450 CYP4A / Q000235:genetics*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D020563:Gammaproteobacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000382:microbiology*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010578:Petroleum / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010578:Petroleum; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D042926:Cytochrome P-450 CYP4A