Event Title
Bioinformatic Analyses of Epsilonproteobacteria and the Potential Interactions with Zetaproteobacteria
Location
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Start Date
1-5-2014 10:00 AM
End Date
1-5-2014 11:00 AM
Project Type
Poster- Restricted to Campus Access
Description
Despite contrasting energy-yielding oxidation processes, epsilon- and zeta-Proteobacteria often co-occur in microbial iron mats. Epsilonproteobacteria, believed to primarily oxidize sulfur, are better understood but generally less prevalent in iron mats than the Zetaproteobacteria, which are believed to oxidize iron for growth. The main objective of this research was to discover potential interactions between zeta- and epsilon-proteobacteria at the Loihi Seamount. Single amplified genomes (SAGs) from Loihi were analyzed for evidence of horizontal gene transfer, a process by which sections of genomes (genomic islands (GIs)) are transferred between bacteria. Thirty-three GIs were found in five Epsilonproteobacteria SAGs, and one hundred and eighty-nine GIs were found in nineteen Zetaproteobacteria SAGs. The GIs were compared by BLAST against all proteins in the opposing group to determine whether a GI was transferred between groups or came from another source. There was evidence that transfer may occur between the two groups, and the presence of an almost complete sulfur-transfer (SUF system) GI in the Zetaproteobacteria indicates that these bacteria have taken up genes to sustain energy by oxidizing reduced sulfur when little iron is available.
Sponsoring Department
Colby College. Biology Dept.
CLAS Field of Study
Natural Sciences
Event Website
http://www.colby.edu/clas
ID
195
Bioinformatic Analyses of Epsilonproteobacteria and the Potential Interactions with Zetaproteobacteria
Parker-Reed, SSWAC
Despite contrasting energy-yielding oxidation processes, epsilon- and zeta-Proteobacteria often co-occur in microbial iron mats. Epsilonproteobacteria, believed to primarily oxidize sulfur, are better understood but generally less prevalent in iron mats than the Zetaproteobacteria, which are believed to oxidize iron for growth. The main objective of this research was to discover potential interactions between zeta- and epsilon-proteobacteria at the Loihi Seamount. Single amplified genomes (SAGs) from Loihi were analyzed for evidence of horizontal gene transfer, a process by which sections of genomes (genomic islands (GIs)) are transferred between bacteria. Thirty-three GIs were found in five Epsilonproteobacteria SAGs, and one hundred and eighty-nine GIs were found in nineteen Zetaproteobacteria SAGs. The GIs were compared by BLAST against all proteins in the opposing group to determine whether a GI was transferred between groups or came from another source. There was evidence that transfer may occur between the two groups, and the presence of an almost complete sulfur-transfer (SUF system) GI in the Zetaproteobacteria indicates that these bacteria have taken up genes to sustain energy by oxidizing reduced sulfur when little iron is available.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/20