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Genome-guided insight into the methylotrophy of Paracoccus aminophilus JCM 7686

Lukasz Dziewit1, Jakub Czarnecki1, Emilia Prochwicz1

  • 1Department of Bacterial Genetics, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw Warsaw, Poland.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|September 9, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Paracoccus aminophilus JCM 7686 exhibits extensive methylotrophic capabilities due to horizontally acquired genes, including the serine cycle pathway. These unique genes, organized in clusters, differentiate it from other Paracoccus species.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Paracoccus aminophilus JCM 7686 is a facultative heterotrophic methylotroph.
  • It utilizes various C1 compounds as its sole carbon and energy source.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the genomic basis of methylotrophy in Paracoccus aminophilus JCM 7686.
  • To investigate the origin and distribution of methylotrophic genes within the Paracoccus genus and related bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Genome analysis of Paracoccus aminophilus JCM 7686.
  • Comparative genomics with other Paracoccus species and marine bacteria.

Main Results:

  • The genome of P. aminophilus JCM 7686 contains genes for oxidizing methanol, methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, N,N-dimethylformamide, and formamide.
  • The serine cycle is identified as the sole C1 assimilation pathway.
  • Many methylotrophy genes are located on extrachromosomal replicons, suggesting horizontal gene transfer.
  • Three distinct gene clusters confer additional methylotrophic capabilities compared to Paracoccus denitrificans Pd1222.
  • Related gene clusters are found in Paracoccus sp. N5 and Roseobacter clade bacteria, forming methylotrophy islands.

Conclusions:

  • Horizontal gene acquisition is a significant factor in the evolution of methylotrophy in P. aminophilus JCM 7686.
  • The distribution of methylotrophy islands highlights potential horizontal transfer events in marine bacteria.
  • P. aminophilus JCM 7686 possesses unique methylotrophic traits due to specific gene clusters.
Keywords:
N,N-dimethylformamideParacoccus aminophilus JCM 7686chromidmethanolmethylated aminemethylotrophyplasmidserine cycle

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