Marinosulfonomonas

Marinosulfonomonas is a genus of bacteria in the family Oxalobacteraceae. The genus was first described by Sorokin et al. in 2001, and currently includes one species, Marinosulfonomonas methylotropha. This bacterium is notable for its ability to metabolize sulfonates, a group of organic compounds that are widely distributed in marine environments.

Taxonomy

The genus Marinosulfonomonas belongs to the family Oxalobacteraceae, in the order Burkholderiales, of the class Betaproteobacteria. The genus currently includes a single species, Marinosulfonomonas methylotropha. The species name methylotropha refers to the bacterium's ability to use methanol as a carbon source.

Morphology

Marinosulfonomonas methylotropha is a Gram-negative bacterium. The cells are rod-shaped and motile, with a single polar flagellum. They are typically 0.5-0.7 µm in diameter and 1.5-2.0 µm in length.

Metabolism

Marinosulfonomonas methylotropha is capable of metabolizing a variety of carbon sources, including methanol and sulfonates. Sulfonates are organic compounds that contain a sulfonic acid group (-SO3H). They are widely distributed in marine environments, and their metabolism by bacteria like Marinosulfonomonas plays an important role in the global sulfur cycle.

Ecology

Marinosulfonomonas methylotropha has been isolated from marine environments, including seawater and marine sediments. The bacterium is thought to play a role in the degradation of organic matter in these environments, particularly the breakdown of sulfonates.