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Evolution of Acetoclastic Methanogenesis in Methanosarcina via Horizontal Gene Transfer from Cellulolytic Clostridia ^,

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-31258

Received 24 August 2007/ Accepted 18 November 2007

Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that two genes required for acetoclastic methanogenesis, ackA and pta, were horizontally transferred to the ancestor of Methanosarcina from a derived cellulolytic organism in the class Clostridia. This event likely occurred within the last 475 million years, causing profound changes in planetary methane biogeochemistry.

Published ahead of print on 30 November 2007.

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