Diversity and three-dimensional structures of the alpha Mcr of the methanogenic Archaea from the anoxic region of Tucurui Lake, in Eastern Brazilian Amazonia.

ABSTRACT: Methanogenic archaeans are organisms of considerable ecological and biotechnological interest that produce methane through a restricted metabolic pathway, which culminates in the reaction catalyzed by the Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (Mcr) enzyme, and results in the release of methane. Using a metagenomic approach, the gene of the α subunit of mcr (mcrα) was isolated from sediment sample from an anoxic zone, rich in decomposing organic material, obtained from the Tucuruí hydroelectric dam reservoir in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The partial nucleotide sequences obtained were 83 to 95% similar to those available in databases, indicating a low diversity of archaeans in the reservoir. Two orders were identified - the Methanomicrobiales, and a unique Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) forming a c

SUBMITTER: Santana PB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3313501 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature