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The Family Nitrosomonadaceae

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Ian Head

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Abstract

The Nitrosomonadaceae comprise a monophyletic phylogenetic group within the betaproteobacteria, all of whose cultivated representatives are lithoautotrophic ammonia oxidizers. Ammonia oxidizers generally exert control over nitrification by oxidizing ammonia to nitrite, which is subsequently oxidized by bacterial nitrite oxidizers to nitrate. They therefore play major roles in control of the nitrogen cycle in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments and in wastewater treatment processes. They are also of significant economic and environmental importance, leading to loss of ammonium-based fertilizers, nitrous oxide production, and nitrate pollution. Ammonia oxidation is also carried out by thaumarchaea, gammaproteobacteria, and anammox organisms.Phylogeny of the Nitrosomonadaceae is now based on analysis of 16S rRNA genes and amoAgenes that encode subunit A of ammonia monooxygenase, which catalyzes the first step in ammonia oxidation. Sequences of cultivated strains and those obtained directly from environmental DNA and RNA suggest two genera, Nitrosomonas and Nitrosospira, each containing seven lineages, although support for these lineages in Nitrosospira is weaker. Two of these lineages are not represented by a laboratory isolate. Genomic analyses are providing insights into the evolution of the Nitrosomonadaceae and into metabolic processes of relevance to ecological studies.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Prosser JI, Head IM, Stein LY

Editor(s): Rosenberg, E; DeLong, EF; Lory, S; Stackebrandt, E; Thompson, F

Publication type: Book Chapter

Publication status: Published

Book Title: The Prokaryotes – Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria

Year: 2014

Pages: 901-918

Print publication date: 11/11/2014

Edition: 4th

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-30197-1_372

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-30197-1_372

Library holdings: Search Newcastle University Library for this item

ISBN: 9783642301964


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