Studies on the primitive alkane metabolisms and ecology of extremely thermophilic petroleum bacteria

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

We determined whole genome sequence of Geobacillus thermoleovorans B23 and successfully discovered three sets of gene operons responsible for alkane degradation. We also indicated that the gene products are non-metal enzymes that should have been uniquely evolved under high temperature petroleum conditions. On the other hand, we have experimentally demonstrated that Coprothermobacter proteolyticus PM9-2, the first isolated bacterium from a deep subterranean high temperature oil reservoir, constituted syntrophy with a methanogenic archaeum. Moreover, it was found that they grew in coagulates that were covered by unique polysaccharides in order to exchange materials effectively. These results contribute to clarify microbial ecology in deep subterranean high temperature petroleum reservoir that is far isolated from surfaces.