A Novel Moderately Thermophilic Facultative Methylotroph within the Class Alphaproteobacteria

Methylotrophic bacteria (non-methanotrophic methanol oxidizers) consuming reduced carbon compounds containing no carbon–carbon bonds as their sole and energy source have been found in a great variety of environments. Here, we report unique moderately thermophilic methanol-oxidising bacterium (strain LS7-MT) that grows optimally at 55 °C (with growth range spanning 30 to 60 °C). The pure isolate was recovered from methane-utilizing mixed culture enrichment an alkaline thermal spring the Ethiopia Rift Valley, utilized methanol, methylamine, glucose multi-carbon compounds. Phylogenetic analysis 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated strain LS7-MT represented new facultatively methylotrophic within order Hyphomicrobiales class Alphaproteobacteria. This showed 94 96% identity two methylotroph genera, Methyloceanibacter Methyloligella. Analysis draft genome revealed genes for dehydrogenase, essential oxidation. Functional comparative genomics this genomic physiological divergence extant methylotrophs. Strain contained complete mxaF cluster xoxF1 encoding lanthanide-dependent dehydrogenase (XoxF). is first oxidation by These findings expand our knowledge methylotrophy phylum Proteobacteria ecosystems contribution global nitrogen cycles.