Comparison of DNA and protein synthesis rates of bacterial assemblages between coral reef waters and pelagic waters in tropical ocean

Abstract

DNA and protein synthesis activities of Pacific bacterial assemblages in coral reefs of Ponape Island (eutrophic water), Majero Atoll (mesotrophic water) and pelagic waters (oligotrophic water) were estimated. Bacterial assemblages in oligotrophic waters appear to have an uptake system with high affinity to substrates and utilize metabolic energy to achieve substrate uptake and protein synthesis preferentially to DNA synthesis and reproduction. These properties are mostly due to obligately oligotrophic bacteria adapted to a low nutrient environment. -from Authors