Denitrifying metabolism of the methylotrophic marine bacteriumMethylophaga nitratireducenticrescensstrain JAM1
Authors: Mauffrey Florian , Cucaita Alexandra , Constant Philippe , Villemur Richard 
Published: November 2017

Background

Methylophaga nitratireducenticrescensstrain JAM1 is a methylotrophic, marine bacterium that was isolated from a denitrification reactor treating a closed-circuit seawater aquarium. It can sustain growth under anoxic conditions by reducing nitrate (${\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{-}$) to nitrite (${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}^{-}$). These physiological traits are attributed to gene clusters that encode two dissimilatory nitrate reductases (Nar). Strain JAM1 also contains gene clusters encoding two nitric oxide (NO) reductases and one nitrous oxide (N2O) reductase, suggesting that NO and N2O can be reduced by strain JAM1. Here we characterized further the denitrifying activities ofM. nitratireducenticrescensJAM1.

Methods

Series of oxic and anoxic cultures of strain JAM1 were performed with N2O, ${\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{-}$ or sodium nitroprusside, and growth and N2O, ${\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{-}$, ${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}^{-}$ and N2concentrations were measured. Ammonium (${\mathrm{NH}}_{4}^{+}$)-free cultures were also tested to assess the dynamics of N2O, ${\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{-}$ and ${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}^{-}$. Isotopic labeling of N2O was performed in15NH4+-amended cultures. Cultures with the JAM1ΔnarG1narG2double mutant were performed to assess the involvement of the Nar systems on N2O production. Finally, RT-qPCR was used to measure the gene expression levels of the denitrification genes cytochromebc-type nitric oxide reductase (cnorB1andcnorB2) and nitrous oxide reductase (nosZ), and alsonnrSandnorRthat encode NO-sensitive regulators.

Results

Strain JAM1 can reduce NO to N2O and N2O to N2and can sustain growth under anoxic conditions by reducing N2O as the sole electron acceptor. Although strain JAM1 lacks a gene encoding a dissimilatory ${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}^{-}$ reductase, ${\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{-}$-amended cultures produce N2O, representing up to 6% of the N-input. ${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}^{-}$ was shown to be the key intermediate of this production process. Upregulation in the expression of cnorB1,cnorB2, nnrSandnorRduring the growth and the N2O accumulation phases suggests NO production in strain JAM1 cultures.

Discussion

By showing that all the three denitrification reductases are active, this demonstrates thatM. nitratireducenticrescensJAM1 is one of many bacteria species that maintain genes associated primarily with denitrification, but not necessarily related to the maintenance of the entire pathway. The reason to maintain such an incomplete pathway could be related to the specific role of strain JAM1 in the denitrifying biofilm of the denitrification reactor from which it originates. The production of N2O in strain JAM1 did not involve Nar, contrary to what was demonstrated inEscherichia coli.M. nitratireducenticrescensJAM1 is the only reportedMethylophagaspecies that has the capacity to grow under anoxic conditions by using ${\mathrm{NO}}_{3}^{-}$ and N2O as sole electron acceptors for its growth. It is also one of a few marine methylotrophs that is studied at the physiological and genetic levels in relation to its capacity to perform denitrifying activities.