Non-Cyanobacterial Nitrogenase Genes in Marine Waters
Author Information
Author(s): Farnelid Hanna, Andersson Anders F., Bertilsson Stefan, Al-Soud Waleed Abu, Hansen Lars H., Sørensen Søren, Steward Grieg F., Hagström Åke, Riemann Lasse
Primary Institution: Linnaeus University
Hypothesis
Are non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs significant contributors to nitrogen fixation in marine surface waters?
Conclusion
The study reveals that non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs account for a substantial part of the nifH gene pool in marine surface waters and are ecologically significant.
Supporting Evidence
- The analysis included 79,090 nitrogenase (nifH) PCR amplicons encoding 7,468 unique proteins.
- Great divergence in nifH composition was observed between sites.
- Cyanobacteria-like genes were most frequent among amplicons from the warmest waters.
- Clusters related to Alpha-, Beta-, Gamma-, and Delta-Proteobacteria were most common.
- The study indicates that non-cyanobacteria account for a substantial part of the nifH gene pool.
Takeaway
Scientists looked at tiny organisms in the ocean that help turn air into food for plants. They found that many of these helpers are not the usual ones we thought, and they play an important role.
Methodology
The study involved deep sequencing of nitrogenase gene libraries from surface ocean water collected at ten locations worldwide.
Potential Biases
PCR bias may have influenced the relative abundance of phylotypes within samples.
Limitations
The study's findings are based on a limited number of sampling locations and may not represent global diversity.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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