The complete alk sequences of Rhodococcus erythropolis from Lake Baikal.
BACKGROUND
Rhodococci are bacteria able to degrade a wide range of hydrocarbons, including the alkanes present in crude oil, due to alk genes in their genomes.


RESULTS
Genome sequencing of DNA from Rhodococcus erythropolis strain 4 (obtained from a deep-water bitumen mound) revealed four alk genes, and the predicted amino acid sequences coded by these genes were highly conserved, having sections up to 11 amino acid residues.


CONCLUSIONS
Obtained four genes from Rhodococcus erythropolis were similar to corresponding genes from other bacteria collected from other environments, including marine sources. This indicated a large-scale horizontal alk gene transfer between bacteria from different subgenera.
Limnological Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Ulan-Batorskaya 3, Irkutsk, 664033 Russia.
Alexander
A
Likhoshvay
Limnological Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Ulan-Batorskaya 3, Irkutsk, 664033 Russia.
Anna
A
Lomakina
Limnological Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Ulan-Batorskaya 3, Irkutsk, 664033 Russia.
Mihail
M
Grachev
Alkane hydroxylases; Lake Baikal; Natural oil seep; Rhodococcus erythropolis