title: Enzymes and genes involved in aerobic alkane degradation.
abstract: Alkanes are major constituents of crude oil. They are also present at low concentrations in diverse non-contaminated because many living organisms produce them as chemo-attractants or as protecting agents against water loss. Alkane degradation is a widespread phenomenon in nature. The numerous microorganisms, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, capable of utilizing alkanes as a carbon and energy source, have been isolated and characterized. This review summarizes the current knowledge of how bacteria metabolize alkanes aerobically, with a particular emphasis on the oxidation of long-chain alkanes, including factors that are responsible for chemotaxis to alkanes, transport across cell membrane of alkanes, the regulation of alkane degradation gene and initial oxidation.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Marine Genetic Resources Xiamen, China ; Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration Xiamen, China ; Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources of Fujian Province Xiamen, China.
authors.forename: Wanpeng
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zongze
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shao
keywords: AlmA; LadA; alkane degradation; chemotaxis; hydroxylation; monooxygenase; regulations of gene expression; transporter