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Facultative methanotrophs - diversity, genetics, molecular ecology and biotechnological potential: a mini-review.
- Source :
-
Microbiology (Reading, England) [Microbiology (Reading)] 2020 Oct; Vol. 166 (10), pp. 894-908. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) play a vital role in reducing atmospheric methane emissions, and hence mitigating their potent global warming effects. A significant proportion of the methane released is thermogenic natural gas, containing associated short-chain alkanes as well as methane. It was one hundred years following the description of methanotrophs that facultative strains were discovered and validly described. These can use some multi-carbon compounds in addition to methane, often small organic acids, such as acetate, or ethanol, although Methylocella strains can also use short-chain alkanes, presumably deriving a competitive advantage from this metabolic versatility. Here, we review the diversity and molecular ecology of facultative methanotrophs. We discuss the genetic potential of the known strains and outline the consequent benefits they may obtain. Finally, we review the biotechnological promise of these fascinating microbes.
- Subjects :
- Alcohols metabolism
Alkanes metabolism
Alphaproteobacteria classification
Alphaproteobacteria growth & development
Bacterial Proteins genetics
Bacterial Proteins metabolism
Biotechnology
Carbon metabolism
Oxygenases genetics
Oxygenases metabolism
Phylogeny
Soil Microbiology
Alphaproteobacteria genetics
Alphaproteobacteria metabolism
Methane metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1465-2080
- Volume :
- 166
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Microbiology (Reading, England)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33085587
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.000977