Transcriptomic analysis of the highly efficient oil-degrading bacterium Acinetobacter venetianus RAG-1 reveals genes important in dodecane uptake and utilization

The hydrocarbonoclastic bacterium Acinetobacter venetianusRAG-1 has attracted substantial attention due to its powerful oil degrading capabilities and its potential to play an important ecological role in the cleanup of alkanes. In this study we compare the transcriptome of the strain RAG-1 grown in dodecane, the corresponding alkanol ( dodecanol), and sodium acetatefor the characterization of genes involved in dodecaneuptake and utilization. Comparison of the transcriptional responses of RAG-1 grown on dodecaneled to the identification of 1074 genes that were differentially expressed relative to sodium acetate. Of these, 622 genes were up-regulated when grown in dodecane. The highly up-regulated genes were involved in alkanecatabolism, along with stress response. Our data suggest AlkMb to be primarily involved in dodecaneoxidation. Transcriptional response of RAG-1 grown on dodecanerelative to dodecanolalso led to the identification of permease, outer membrane protein, and thin fimbriaecoding genes potentially involved in dodecaneuptake. This study provides the first model for key genes involved in alkaneuptake and metabolism in A. venetianus RAG-1.