Unsaturated diether phospholipids in the Antarctic methanogen Methanococcoides burtonii
The Antarctic methanogen Methanococcoides burtonii contained only diether phospholipids. These membrane components were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Of particular interest was the occurrence of unsaturated diether lipids in M. burtonii unsaturated ether li...
| Published in: | FEMS Microbiology Letters |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Oxford University Press
1992
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://femsle.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/98/1-3/205 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6968.1992.tb05515.x |
| Summary: | The Antarctic methanogen Methanococcoides burtonii contained only diether phospholipids. These membrane components were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Of particular interest was the occurrence of unsaturated diether lipids in M. burtonii unsaturated ether lipids accounted for 57% of the diether phospholipids. To our knowledge, unsaturated ether lipids have not been previously reported in a methanogen. The presence of the unsaturated ether lipids in M. burtonii is probably the result of temperature adaptation by the bacterium. It may be possible to use these components as a chemical signature for methanogens in Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments. |
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