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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
06:34
Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS
Published on: July 11, 2016
Methylopila jiangsuensis sp. nov., an aerobic, facultatively methylotrophic bacterium
Lian Li1, Jin-Wei Zheng1, Bao-Jian Hang1
1Key Laboratory of Microbiological Engineering of Agricultural Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China.
Summary
A novel aerobic, facultatively methylotrophic bacterium, strain JZL-4(T), was isolated from activated sludge. Phylogenetic and DNA-DNA hybridization analyses confirm it represents a new species, Methylopila jiangsuensis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Taxonomy
- Environmental Microbiology
Background:
- Activated sludge harbors diverse microbial communities crucial for wastewater treatment.
- Methylotrophic bacteria play key roles in carbon cycling, utilizing C1 compounds.
- Characterization of novel methylotrophs enhances understanding of microbial metabolism and ecology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To taxonomically characterize a novel aerobic, facultatively methylotrophic bacterial strain, JZL-4(T).
- To determine the phylogenetic and genetic relatedness of strain JZL-4(T) to known methylotrophic bacteria.
- To propose a new species within the genus Methylopila based on comprehensive data.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and cultivation of strain JZL-4(T) from activated sludge.
- Phenotypic characterization including morphology, growth conditions, and substrate utilization.
- Chemotaxonomic analyses: cellular fatty acids, phospholipids, and ubiquinones.
- Molecular analyses: 16S rRNA gene sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridization.
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine evolutionary relationships.
Main Results:
- Strain JZL-4(T) are Gram-negative, motile rods utilizing C1 compounds via the serine pathway.
- Major cellular components: C18:1ω7c, C18:0 fatty acids; phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine (PME) phospholipids; Q-10 ubiquinone.
- 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Methylopila capsulata (97.2%) and Albibacter methylovorans (94.9%).
- Low DNA-DNA relatedness (34%) with M. capsulata.
- DNA G+C content of 70.4 mol%.
Conclusions:
- Strain JZL-4(T) represents a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the genus Methylopila.
- Distinct chemotaxonomic features, particularly the presence of PME, differentiate it from related species.
- Based on phenotypic, genetic, and phylogenetic data, strain JZL-4(T) is proposed as Methylopila jiangsuensis sp. nov.
- The type strain is JZL-4(T) (=ACCC 05406(T) =DSM 22718(T) =VKM B-2555(T)).
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