Alkane degradation by Citreicella aestuarii strain 357

Abstract

[eng] Citreicella aestuarii strain 357, a member of the Roseobacter lineage is a catalase and oxidase positive, but indole negative gram negative bacteria. C. aestuarii strain 357 was isolated without xenobiotic pressure from plating sand contaminated with oil from the prestige tanker accident in Galicia, Spain, on marine broth. Presently only two studies have been carried out on this bacteria strain which are: its genomic sequencing and a doctorate thesis demonstrating its ability in the degradation of a group of aromatic hydrocarbons. In this present work, the possibility of alkane degradation by C. aestuarii strain 357 and possible pathway used are carried out . To achieve the aim of this present work, protein blast against the proteome of C. aestuarii strain 357 using the alk pathways genes of Pseudomonas putida strains GPo1 and P1 was employed. The organisation of these genes were compared to those found in both P. putida strains. Furthermore, the study of the functional protein domains was also performed. Finally, growth experiments using several alkanes was done to demonstrate the capability of C. aestuarii strain 357 to use alkanes as a unique carbon and energy source.