Exploring long chain n-alkane metabolism in Gordonia sp. strain SoCg

Many microorganisms are able to degrade aliphatic hydrocarbons and a relationship between n-alkane utilization and storage compound synthesis has been described in bacteria. The Gram positive GC-rich n-alkane degrader Gordonia sp. strain SoCg, isolated from a long-term accidentally contaminated beach in Sicily, is able to grow on long n-alkanes up to. It carries a single copy of the alkane hydroxylase gene alkB on its chromosome and its alk cluster revealed a genomic organization similar to other alk clusters of alkane-degrading Gram positive bacteria. The alk gene expression, analysed by Real-time RT-PCR, is induced by n-hexadecane and n-triacontane and coupled to alkane consumption. Inter…