Differential Display Analysis of cDNA Involved in Microbial Mats Response after Heavy Fuel Oil Contamination

Abstract

Pristine microbial mats from Camargue salterns (France) maintained in microcosm were contaminated by Erika fuel oil in order to identify gene sequences induced in response to heavy fuel oil contamination. The differential display approach was adapted to detect differentially expressed mRNA in complex bacterial communities. Among the six differentially expressed (DD) cDNA fragments isolated, one was identified and associated with an ABC-type efflux pump. A second DD-fragment was related to a conserved hypothetical protein found in many different bacterial species. Despite differentially expressed fragments could not be clearly identified, this study reveals new perspectives for the improvement of our knowledge on the response of microbial community after petroleum contamination.