Microorganisms colonize a variety of extreme environments, and based on cultivation studies and analyses of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA sequences, microbial life appears to extend deep into the earth crust. However, none of these studies involved comprehensive characterizations of total DNA. Here we report results of a high-coverage DNA pyrosequencing of an apparently representative and uncontaminated sample from a deep sea oil reservoir located 2.5 km subsurface, attributing a pressure and temperature of 250 bars and 85°C respectively. Bioinformatic analyses of the DNA sequences indicate that the reservoir harbours a rich microbial community dominated by a smaller number of taxa. Comparison of the metagenome with sequences in databases indicated that there may have been contact between the oil reservoir and surface communities late in the sequence of geological events leading to oil reservoir formation. One specific gene, encoding a putative enolase, was synthesized and expressed in Escherichia coli. Enolase activity was confirmed and was found to be much more thermotolerant than for a corresponding E. coli enzyme, consistent with the conditions in the oil reservoir.

A bacterial strain capable of utilizing n-alkanes with chain lengths ranging from decane (C10H22) to tetracontane (C40H82) as a sole carbon source was isolated using a system for screening microorganisms able to grow on paraffin (mixed long-chain n-alkanes). The isolate, identified according to its 16S rRNA sequence as Acinetobacter venetianus, was designated A. venetianus 6A2. Two DNA fragments encoding parts of AlkB-type alkane hydroxylase homologues, designated alkMa and alkMb, were polymerase chain reaction-amplified from the genome of A. venetianus 6A2. To study the roles of these two alkM paralogues in n-alkane utilization in A. venetianus 6A2, we constructed alkMa, alkMb, and alkMa/alkMb disruption mutants. Studies on the growth patterns of the disruption mutants using n-alkanes with different chain lengths as sole carbon source demonstrated central roles for the alkMa and alkMb genes in utilization of C10 to C18 n-alkanes. Comparative analysis of these patterns also suggested different substrate preferences for AlkMa and AlkMb in n-alkane utilization. Because both single and double mutants were able to grow on n-alkanes with chain lengths of C20 and longer, we concluded that yet another enzyme(s) for the utilization of these n-alkanes must exist in A. venetianus 6A2.

The trophic effect of one or multiple subcutaneous injections of two different doses of a cholecystokinin-like peptide (CCK-LP) on the rat pancreas was evaluated by determination of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, the concentrations of the polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, and the activities of DNA polymerase and thymidine kinase, in addition to the contents of DNA, RNA, and protein. ODC activity was increased 10- to 20-fold already 2 h after a single injection of CCK-LP. The activity thereafter decreased and approached the control level after 6 to 8 h. The concentration of putrescine also showed a marked increase after a single injection, approaching maximum at 8 h. A slight increase was found for spermidine as well. DNA polymerase and thymidine kinase increased after 2 days of treatment. The DNA content was still normal at that time. The study suggests that the trophic effect of CCK is initiated very early. It shows that ODC activity and putrescine concentrations are early and sensitive determinants of the effect of CCK on the pancreas.

Rats were treated for 5 days with continuous intravenous infusion of different doses of secretin and Thr28Nle31CCK25-33 (CCK-LP) alone and combined. The trophic effect on the pancreas was evaluated by means of pancreatic weight and contents of DNA, RNA, and protein. The acute effects on pancreatic protein secretion were studied in anesthetized rats. The findings generally confirmed the trophic effects of secretin and CCK-like peptides on the pancreas. No convincing evidence of potentiation was found between small doses of secretin and CCK-LP for either pancreatic growth or protein secretion. The maximal dose of CCK-LP was the same for pancreatic growth and for protein secretion (2.5 micrograms/kg-h). Potentiation was demonstrated between secretin and the maximal dose of CCK-LP for protein secretion. The maximal effect of CCK-LP on pancreatic growth, however, was not enhanced by secretin.

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