Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is one of
the Earth's most abundant sulfur molecules, which affects atmospheric
chemistry and potentially climate. It is an important
nutrient for marine microorganisms and is the major precursor for the
climate-cooling gas, dimethyl sulfide (DMS).
It was previously widely thought that only eukaryotes - 'higher'
organisms with complex cells, such as seaweeds and phytoplankton -
produced DMSP. Scientists from the University of East Anglia and Ocean University
China have discovered that tiny marine bacteria can synthesize DMSP.
Research Highlights the Role of Marine Bacteria to Fight Tough Infections
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‘Tiny marine bacteria can synthesize one of the Earth's most abundant sulfur molecules, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), which affects atmospheric chemistry and potentially climate.’
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DMS, produced when microorganisms break down DMSP, is thought to have a role in regulating the climate by increasing cloud droplets that in turn reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the ocean's surface. These same clouds are vital in the movement of large amounts of sulfur from oceans to land, making the production of DMSP and DMS a critical step in the global sulfur cycle.
"Our finding that DMSP is produced by many marine bacteria could
mean that scientists have been significantly underestimating both the
production of this molecule and the effects it is having in the
environment" said Dr Jonathan Todd from UEA's School of Biological
Sciences. "Since these bacteria do not require sunlight for growth, the
production of DMSP need not be confined to the surface ocean waters
which receive the most light energy, as was thought to be the case."
![Chemical Fire Retardant Synthesizing Marine Bacteria Discovered]( "Chemical Fire Retardant Synthesizing Marine Bacteria Discovered")
A group of marine bacteria which synthesizes compounds similar to toxic man-made fire retardants has been discovered by researchers.
Dr Andrew Curson from UEA's School of Biological Sciences said: "The identification of the key gene for DMSP synthesis in these bacteria will allow scientists to predict which bacteria are producing DMSP and assess their contribution to global production of this environmentally important molecule."
Ana Bermejo Martinez, a UEA PhD student involved in this research, said: "Using DMSP-producing marine bacteria as model organisms will also help us to understand how and why the synthesis of this key molecule is regulated in different environments."
Dr Zhang from OUC's College of Marine Life Sciences said: "These bacteria, isolated during a research cruise in the East China Sea, have led to a ground-breaking discovery in the field. This work shows that marine bacteria are likely very important contributors to global DMSP and DMS production."
This work was carried out as part of a collaboration between the University of East Anglia, and Ocean University China and work at UEA was funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council.
The paper 'Dimethylsulfoniopropionate biosynthesis in marine bacteria and identification of the key gene in this process' is published in the scientific journal Nature Microbiology.
Source: Eurekalert
Chemical Fire Retardant Synthesizing Marine Bacteria Discovered
A group of marine bacteria which synthesizes compounds similar to toxic man-made fire retardants has been discovered by researchers.
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Dr Andrew Curson from UEA's School of Biological Sciences said: "The identification of the key gene for DMSP synthesis in these bacteria will allow scientists to predict which bacteria are producing DMSP and assess their contribution to global production of this environmentally important molecule."
Ana Bermejo Martinez, a UEA PhD student involved in this research, said: "Using DMSP-producing marine bacteria as model organisms will also help us to understand how and why the synthesis of this key molecule is regulated in different environments."
Dr Zhang from OUC's College of Marine Life Sciences said: "These bacteria, isolated during a research cruise in the East China Sea, have led to a ground-breaking discovery in the field. This work shows that marine bacteria are likely very important contributors to global DMSP and DMS production."
This work was carried out as part of a collaboration between the University of East Anglia, and Ocean University China and work at UEA was funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council.
The paper 'Dimethylsulfoniopropionate biosynthesis in marine bacteria and identification of the key gene in this process' is published in the scientific journal Nature Microbiology.
Source: Eurekalert
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The power-generating mechanism used by well-known marine bacteria was identified by a team of scientists from the UK and the US.
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