Transcriptional profiling of genes involved in n-hexadecane compounds assimilation in the hydrocarbon degrading Dietzia cinnamea P4 strain

• Published in: Brazilian journal of microbiology 2013-01, Vol.44 (2), p.633-647
• Main Authors: Procópio, Luciano, de Cassia Pereira e Silva, Michele, van Elsas, Jan Dirk, Seldin, Lucy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Actinomycetales - genetics; Actinomycetales - growth & development; Actinomycetales - metabolism; Alkanes - metabolism; Biodegradation; Biotransformation; Gene Expression Profiling; Genes; Genes, Bacterial; Hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbons - metabolism; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Metabolic Networks and Pathways - genetics; MICROBIOLOGY; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Research Paper; Strain rate; Temperature
• ISSN: 1517-8382; 1678-4405; 1678-4405
• DOI: 10.1590/S1517-83822013000200044

The petroleum-derived degrading Dietzia cinnamea strain P4 recently had its genome sequenced and annotated. This allowed employing the data on genes that are involved in the degradation of n-alkanes. To examine the physiological behavior of strain P4 in the presence of n-alkanes, the strain was grown under varying conditions of pH and temperature. D. cinnamea P4 was able to grow at pH 7.0-9.0 and at temperatures ranging from 35 ºC to 45 ºC. Experiments of gene expression by real-time quantitative RT-PCR throughout the complete growth cycle clearly indicated the induction of the regulatory gene alkU (TetR family) during early growth. During the logarithmic phase, a large increase in transcriptional levels of a lipid transporter gene was noted. Also, the expression of a gene that encodes the protein fused rubredoxin-alkane monooxygenase was enhanced. Both genes are probably under the influence of the AlkU regulator.