Isolation and characterization of an unknown bacterium containing plasmid-bome genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis

Includes bibliographical references.An unknown bacterium, designated AM-6, was isolated from soil near Montgomery Hall and characterized by analysis of its molecular, chemical, morphological and physiological properties. Research techniques from a wide array of biology and chemistry fields were utilized in order to obtain complete analysis of the bacterium. Phylogenetic examination of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the bacterium was a member of the genus Micrococcus. The strain’s 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with other species in the genus Micrococcus ranged from 97.94%-99.93%. The physiological properties of AM-6 differed from other Micrococcus species. Major cellular fatty acids of strain AM-6 were iso-Ci5:o(16%) and anteiso-C15;o(71.1%). AM-6 was found to contain MK-8(H2) and MK-9(H2) as the respiratory quinones. The bacterium contained a large plasmid; the exact size of it is yet to be determined. Elimination of the plasmid resulted in white colonies and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that these white colonies are identical to the pareht strain. The plasmid-encoded genes involved in carotenoid (pigment) biosynthesis, are yet to be identified. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data available AM-6 cannot be definitively labeled as a new species at this time. Further analysis is required to prove the novelty of this strain.B.S. (Bachelor of Science