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Genetics and Molecular Features of Bacterial Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS) Transformations

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Aerobic Utilization of Hydrocarbons, Oils, and Lipids

Part of the book series: Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ((HHLM))

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Abstract

The transformations of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP; (CH3)2S+CH2CH2COO−) by bacterioplankton play important roles in the global sulfur cycle. This compound is produced in large quantities primarily for use as an osmolyte by marine algae. DMSP is a labile compound although the complete mineralization of DMSP is only a minor fate in the ocean. DMSP is the main precursor of dimethyl sulfide (DMS; CH3–S–CH3), a radiatively active trace gas that contributes to global climate regulation. However, it is believed that the main pathway for the transformation of DMSP involves an assimilation step in which DMSP sulfur is incorporated efficiently into cell biomass, leaving relatively little sulfur available for release as DMS. DMSP is rapidly turned over in the environment and the diversity of pathways for its transformation are likely not yet fully realized. This chapter covers recent findings on the genetics of DMSP catabolism; their discoveries are changing our view of the role of this compound in the world’s oceans. Although even less is known about bacterially mediated transformations of DMS, the handful of genes that have been described in a limited number of bacteria is also reviewed in this chapter.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, University of La Laguna, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

    J. M. González

  2. School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK

    A. W. B. Johnston

  3. Department of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

    M. Vila-Costa

  4. Department of Continental Ecology-Limnology, Centre d’Estudis Avançats de Blanes, CSIC, Blanes, Spain

    A. Buchan

  5. Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA

    A. Buchan

Authors
  1. J. M. González
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  2. A. W. B. Johnston
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  3. M. Vila-Costa
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  4. A. Buchan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. M. González .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. CSIC Campus de Cantoblanco, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología CSIC Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain

    Fernando Rojo

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González, J.M., Johnston, A.W.B., Vila-Costa, M., Buchan, A. (2017). Genetics and Molecular Features of Bacterial Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS) Transformations. In: Rojo, F. (eds) Aerobic Utilization of Hydrocarbons, Oils, and Lipids. Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39782-5_26-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39782-5_26-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-39782-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-39782-5

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