Barta T M, Hanson R S
Gray Freshwater Biological Institute, University of Minnesota, Navarre 55392.
Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 1993;64(2):109-20. doi: 10.1007/BF00873021.
Within the past few years, considerable progress has been made in the understanding of the molecular genetics of methane and methanol oxidation. In order to summarize this progress and to illustrate the important genetic methods employed, this review will focus on several well-studied organisms. These organisms include the gram-negative faculative methylotrophs Methylobacterium extorquens, Methylobacterium organophilum and Paracoccus denitrificans. In addition, the obligate methanotrophs Methylococcus capsulatus and Methylosinus trichosporium are discussed. We have chosen not to discuss the genetics of methanol oxidation in the yeasts or in gram-positive bacteria. Likewise, the genetics of related topics (for example, methylamine oxidation and carbon assimilation pathways) are not reviewed here. Broad host range conjugatable plasmids have enabled researchers to complement mutations and clone genes from gram-negative methylotrophic bacteria. More recently, 'promoter probe' derivative plasmids have been used to elucidate aspects of gene regulation. Also, alternative gene-cloning techniques are proving useful in circumventing problems in the genetic studies of the obligate methanotrophs, the group of bacteria that is the most refractory to traditional methods.
在过去几年中，人们对甲烷和甲醇氧化的分子遗传学的理解取得了相当大的进展。为了总结这一进展并说明所采用的重要遗传方法，本综述将聚焦于几种经过充分研究的生物体。这些生物体包括革兰氏阴性兼性甲基营养菌——嗜甲基甲基杆菌、嗜有机甲基杆菌和反硝化副球菌。此外，还讨论了专性甲烷氧化菌——荚膜甲基球菌和 trichosporium甲基弯曲菌。我们选择不讨论酵母或革兰氏阳性细菌中甲醇氧化的遗传学。同样，这里也不综述相关主题（例如，甲胺氧化和碳同化途径）的遗传学。广泛宿主范围的可接合质粒使研究人员能够对革兰氏阴性甲基营养细菌的突变进行互补并克隆基因。最近，“启动子探针”衍生质粒已被用于阐明基因调控的各个方面。此外，替代基因克隆技术在规避专性甲烷氧化菌（这是一组对传统方法最难处理的细菌）遗传研究中的问题方面正证明是有用的。
