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Functional Gene Hybridization Patterns of Terrestrial Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria

Bruns1, Fries, Tiedje

  • 1Center for Microbial Ecology and Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

Microbial Ecology
|December 16, 1998
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals significant genetic divergence in ammonia oxidation pathways between Nitrosomonas and Nitrosospira bacteria. Hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (hao) gene sequences show promise for analyzing terrestrial ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AAOs).

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Science
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Autotrophic ammonia oxidation is crucial for nitrogen cycling.
  • Research has primarily focused on Nitrosomonas europaea, neglecting other terrestrial groups.
  • Terrestrial ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AAOs) include Nitrosomonas and Nitrosospira.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate functional gene homologies in terrestrial AAOs.
  • To assess the potential of N. europaea gene probes for analyzing Nitrosospira.
  • To explore denitrification gene presence in AAOs.

Main Methods:

  • Southern blot hybridization using 32P-labeled probes from N. europaea.
  • Probes targeted genes: ammonia monooxygenase (amoA, amoB), hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (hao), and cytochrome c-554 (hcy).
  • Hybridization performed under low and high stringency conditions with four Nitrosospira representatives.

Main Results:

  • Significant divergence in ammonia oxidation genes (amoA, amoB, hao, hcy) between Nitrosomonas and Nitrosospira.
  • The hao probe showed consistent hybridization, indicating its utility for terrestrial AAO analysis.
  • Some Nitrosospira strains hybridized with a Cu-type nitrite reductase probe, suggesting varied denitrification capabilities.

Conclusions:

  • Functional genes in the ammonia oxidation pathway have diverged between Nitrosomonas and Nitrosospira groups.
  • The hao gene is a promising target for non-PCR-based molecular analysis of terrestrial AAOs.
  • AAOs exhibit diversity in denitrification mechanisms and capacities.