Methanohalophilus mahii

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Methanohalophilus mahii
Scanning electron microscope image of Mhp. mahii SLP
Scientific classification
Domain:
Archaea
Kingdom:
Euryarchaeota
Phylum:
Euryarchaeota
Class:
Methanomicrobia
Order:
Methanosarcinales
Family:
Methanosarcinaceae
Genus:
Methanohalophilus
Species:
M. mahii
Binomial name
Methanohalophilus mahii
Paterek and Smith (1988)

Methanohalophilus mahii (also known as Mhp. mahii) is an obligately

microbes.[2] The proper word in ancient Greek for "salt" is however hals (ἅλς).[3] The specific strain type was designated SLP (= ATCC 35705) and is currently the only identified strain of this species.[2]

Phylogeny

There are a total of four species in the genus Methanohalophilus including Methanohalophilus mahii, Methanohalophilus halophilus, Methanohalophilus portucalensis, and Methanohalophilus euhalobius.[1] The closest relative, Methanohalophilus portucalensis, has a 99.8% similarity in sequence across the whole genome to Methanohalophilus mahii.[1] The other Methanohalophilus species have less than a 94.7% similarity to Methanohalophilus mahii.[1] All species in the genus are halophilic methanogens that contribute to marine ecosystem mineral cycling.[1]

Discovery

In 1988, Robert Paterek and Paul Smith were searching for

plexiglas tubes, and sub-core samples taken with a brass cork borer and transferred to fifty milliliter serum bottles.[4] All samples were processed within forty-eight hours of collection.[4] The media used for isolation of Methanohalophilus mahii colonies was prepared using the Hungate technique for proper isolation of anaerobic microbes.[4] Serial dilutions were prepared in a 1:10 ratio,[4] and agar roll tubes were inoculated and incubated at 30 °C for eight weeks.[4] Isolated methanogenic colonies were chosen by identifying those with a foamy texture, denoting gas release,[1] and repeatedly diluted and inoculated on agar roll tubes until only one type of colony morphology remained.[4] These colonies appeared as cream to pale yellow-colored circular-shaped colonies with an overall foamy texture due to gas release.[2]

Cell Culture

Several analyses were done to determine

concentration at 2.0 M NaCl,[1] but with a 1.2 M NaCl concentration yielding the highest culture density.[1] It can also grow in varying pH levels ranging from 6.5 to 8.2,[1] with an optimum pH of 7.5.[1] Methanohalophilus mahii is a mesophile, or an organism that thrives at moderate temperatures, and grows best at a temperature of 37 °C.[2]

Cell Structure

Methanohalophilus mahii cells

Gram negative,[1] and are non-motile,[2] irregular cocci[2] approximately 0.8 to 1.8 micrometers in diameter.[2] Additionally, the cells fluoresce under 420 nanometer light.[2] Membrane phospholipids are composed of β-hydroxyarchaeol cores, glucose glycolipids, and ethanolamine, glycerol, and myo-inositol polar head groups.[1]

Metabolism

Methanohalophilus mahii is an obligately anaerobic

mineralization in marine ecosystems.[1]

Genome

Methanohalophilus mahii’s genome was sequenced through

protein-coding genes.[1] The sequence had a 42.6% GC content, and forty-five pseudogenes were located.[1]

Importance

Methanohalophilus mahii has a unique

oxidative methylotrophic pathway Methanohalophilus mahii utilizes allows the species to oxidize methane to carbon dioxide, which, in turn, is used by other plants and organisms.[1] This mineral cycling process allows for more growth and diversity in the ocean.[1]

References

  1. ^
    PMID 21234345
    .
  2. ^
    doi:10.1099/00207713-38-1-122
    .
  3. ^ Liddell, H.G. & Scott, R. (1940). A Greek-English Lexicon revised and augmented throughout by Sir Henry Stuart Jones with the assistance of. Roderick McKenzie. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  4. ^
    PMID 16346919
    .

Further reading

External links
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