Comparative genomics analyses indicate differential methylated amine utilisation trait within members of the genusGemmobacter

Abstract

Methylated amines are ubiquitous in the environment and play a role in regulating the earth’s climate via a set of complex biological and chemical reactions. Microbial degradation of these compounds is thought to be a major sink. Recently we isolated a facultative methylotroph, Gemmobacter sp. LW-1, an isolate from the unique environment Movile Cave, Romania, which is capable of methylated amine utilisation as a carbon source. Here, using a comparative genomics approach, we investigate how widespread methylated amine utilisation trait is within the member of the bacterial genus Gemmobacter. Five genomes of different Gemmobacter species isolated from diverse environments, such as activated sludge, fresh water, sulphuric cave waters (Movile Cave) and the marine environment were available from the public repositories and used for the analysis. Our results indicate that some members of the genus Gemmobacter, namely G. aquatilis, G. caeni and G. sp. LW-1 have the genetic potential of methylated amine utilisation while others (G. megaterium and G. nectariphilus) have not.