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

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.

Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • H2020 European Research Council (Award IsoMet 694578)
    • Principle Award Recipient: J. Colin Murrell
  • Natural Environment Research Council (Award NE/J009725/1)
    • Principle Award Recipient: J. Colin Murrell
  • Natural Environment Research Council (Award NE/J009555/1)
    • Principle Award Recipient: Terry J McGenity
  • Leverhulme Trust (Award ECF-2016-626)
    • Principle Award Recipient: Andrew Crombie
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2020-05-22
2024-03-29
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