Phylogenetic Diversity of aprA Geenes in Subseafloor Sediments on the Northwestern Pacific Margin off Japan

作者：Aoki Masataka; Kakiuchi Ryota; Yamaguchi Takashi; Takai Ken; Inagaki Fumio; Imachi Hiroyuki^*

来源：Microbes and Environments, 2015, 30(3): 276-280.

DOI：10.1264/jsme2.ME15023

• aprA gene
• sulfate reduction
• sulfur oxidation
• marine sediment

Markedly diverse sequences of the adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate reductase alpha subunit gene (aprA), which encodes a key enzyme in microbial sulfate reduction and sulfur oxidation, were detected in subseafloor sediments on the northwestern Pacific off Japan. The aprA gene sequences were grouped into 135 operational taxonomic units (90% sequence identity), including genes related to putative sulfur-oxidizing bacteria predominantly detected in sulfate-depleted deep sediments. Our results suggest that microbial ecosystems in the subseafloor biosphere have phylogenetically diverse genetic potentials to mediate cryptic sulfur cycles in sediments, even where sulfate is rarely present.

• 出版日期2015-9-25