Physiological survival mechanism of bacterial community inhabiting in oligotrophic environments

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25870295
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Environmental dynamic analysis; Ecology/Environment
• Research Institution: Shizuoka University
• Principal Investigator: KIMURA Hiroyuki 静岡大学, 理学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (30377717)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: バクテリア / 海洋細菌 / 極限環境 / 貧栄養環境 / トランスクリプトーム / RNA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Transfer-messenger RNA is small RNA that employs both tRNA and mRNA-like properties as it rescues stalled ribosomes during nutrient shortage. Here, we surveyed transcriptional responses of transfer-messenger RNA-containing bacterial strains in the medium of various nutrient conditions. Consequently, transfer-messenger RNA showed significant up-regulation in the nutrient-limiting growth conditions.
We collected seawater samples from open ocean (oligotrophic environment) and coastal area (eutrophic environment). We then performed transcriptomic analyses targeting total RNA extracted from the bacterial communities in the seawater samples. Transfer-messenger RNA was expressed at significantly higher levels in the seawater sample derived from the open ocean. In total, our results suggest the importance of transfer-messenger RNA as essential components for nutrient-limiting growth conditions in these bacteria.

Free Research Field

微生物生態学