hide
Free keywords:
-
Abstract:
Molecular investigations of the sulfate reducing bacteria that target the dissimilatory sulfite-
reductase subunit A gene (dsrA) are plagued by the nonspecific performance of conventional
PCR primers. Here we describe the incorporation of the FailSafe™ PCR System to optimize en-
vironmental analysis of dsrA by PCR amplification and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.
PCR–DGGE analysis of dsrA composition revealed that SRB diversity was greater and more
variable throughout the vertical profile of a marine sediment core obtained from a gas hydrate
site (GC234) in the Gulf of Mexico than in a sediment core collected from a nearby site devoid
of gas hydrates (NBP). Depth profiled dsrB abundance corresponded with sulfate reduction rates
at both sites, though measurements were higher at GC234. This study exemplifies the numeri-
cal and functional importance of sulfate reducing bacteria in deep-sea sedimentary environ-
ments, and incremental methodological advancements, as described herein, will continue to
streamline the analysis of sulfate reducer communities in situ.
