The tryptophan pathway genes of the Sargasso Sea metagenome: new operon structures and the prevalence of non-operon organization

BACKGROUND: The enormous database of microbial DNA generated from the Sargasso Sea metagenome provides a unique opportunity to locate genes participating in different biosynthetic pathways and to attempt to understand the relationship and evolution of those genes. In this article, an analysis of the Sargasso Sea metagenome is made with respect to the seven genes of the tryptophan pathway. RESULTS: At least 5% of all the genes that are related to amino acid biosynthesis are tryptophan (trp) genes. Many contigs and scaffolds contain whole or split operons that are similar to previously analyzed trp gene organizations. Only two scaffolds discovered in this analysis possess a different operon organization of tryptophan pathway genes than those previously known. Many marine organisms lack an operon-type organization of these genes or have mini-operons containing only two trp genes. In addition, the trpB genes from this search reveal that the dichotomous division between trpB₁ and trpB₂ also occurs in organisms from the Sargasso Sea. One cluster was found to contain trpB sequences that were closely related to each other but distinct from most known trpB sequences. CONCLUSION: The data show that trp genes are widely dispersed within this metagenome. The novel organization of these genes and an unusual group of trpB₁ sequences that were found among some of these Sargasso Sea bacteria indicate that there is much to be discovered about both the reason for certain gene orders and the regulation of tryptophan biosynthesis in marine bacteria.