Microbial metabolism of isoprene: a much-neglected climate-active gas

Murrell, J. Colin, Mcgenity, Terry J. and Crombie, Andrew T. (2020) Microbial metabolism of isoprene: a much-neglected climate-active gas. Microbiology, 166 (7). 600–613. ISSN 1350-0872

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Abstract

The climate-active gas isoprene is the major volatile produced by a variety of trees and is released into the atmosphere in enormous quantities, on a par with global emissions of methane. While isoprene production in plants and its effect on atmospheric chemistry have received considerable attention, research into the biological isoprene sink has been neglected until recently. Here, we review current knowledge on the sources and sinks of isoprene and outline its environmental effects. Focusing on degradation by microbes, many of which are able to use isoprene as the sole source of carbon and energy, we review recent studies characterizing novel isoprene degraders isolated from soils, marine sediments and in association with plants. We describe the development and use of molecular methods to identify, quantify and genetically characterize isoprene-degrading strains in environmental samples. Finally, this review identifies research imperatives for the further study of the environmental impact, ecology, regulation and biochemistry of this interesting group of microbes.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: atmospheric trace gas,bvoc,biogeochemical cycling,isoprene,microbial ecology,rhodococcus,soluble diiron centre monooxygenase,stable isotope probing,variovorax,microbiology,sdg 13 - climate action,sdg 14 - life below water ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2400/2404
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Environmental Biology
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Molecular Microbiology
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 28 May 2020 00:21
Last Modified: 20 Mar 2023 14:48
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/75324
DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000931

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