Comparative genomics analyses indicate differential methylated amine utilization trait within members of the genus Gemmobacter

Methylated amines are ubiquitous in the environment and play a role in regulating the earth's climate via a set of complex biological and chemical reactions. Microbial degradation of these compounds is thought to be a major sink. Recently we isolated a facultative methylotroph, Gemmobacter sp. LW-1, an isolate from the unique environment Movile Cave, Romania, which is capable of methylated amine utilization as a carbon source. Here, using a comparative genomics approach, we investigate how widespread methylated amine utilization is within members of the bacterial genus Gemmobacter. Seven genomes of different Gemmobacter species isolated from diverse environments, such as activated sludge, fresh water, sulphuric cave waters (Movile Cave) and the marine environment were available from the public repositories and used for the analysis. Our results indicate that methylamine utilization is a distinctive feature of selected members of the genus Gemmobacter, namely G. aquatilis, G. lutimaris, G. sp. HYN0069, G. caeni and G. sp. LW-1 have the genetic potential while others (G. megaterium and G. nectariphilus) have not.

Automated summary

Methylated amines, which are ubiquitous in the environment, play a role in regulating the earth's climate through complex biological and chemical reactions. Our study shows that the genus Gemmobacter has selected members with the genetic potential for methylamine utilization, while others do not.