US EPA

3310772 

Journal Article 

Molecular diversity and tools for deciphering the methanogen community structure and diversity in freshwater sediments 

Chaudhary, PP; Brablcova, L; Buriankova, Iva; Rulik, M 

2013 

Yes 

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
ISSN: 0175-7598
EISSN: 1432-0614 

97 

17 

7553-7562 

10.1007/s00253-013-5102-8 

WOS:000323281900003 

Methanogenic archaeal communities existing in freshwater sediments are responsible for approximately 50 % of the total global emission of methane. This process contributes significantly to global warming and, hence, necessitates interventional control measures to limit its emission. Unfortunately, the diversity and functional interactions of methanogenic populations occurring in these habitats are yet to be fully characterized. Considering several disadvantages of conventional culture-based methodologies, in recent years, impetus is given to molecular biology approaches to determine the community structure of freshwater sedimentary methanogenic archaea. 16S rRNA and methyl coenzyme M reductase (mcrA) gene-based cloning techniques are the first choice for this purpose. In addition, electrophoresis-based (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, temperature gradient gel electrophoresis, and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques have also found extensive applications. These techniques are highly sensitive, rapid, and reliable as compared to traditional culture-dependent approaches. Molecular diversity studies revealed the dominance of the orders Methanomicrobiales and Methanosarcinales of methanogens in freshwater sediments. The present review discusses in detail the status of the diversity of methanogens and the molecular approaches applied in this area of research. 

Methanogens; Diversity; Sediments; Microbial diversity; Ribosomal RNA and mcrA