Nitrogen Fixation Genes Expressed in the Symbiotic Microbial Community in the Gut of the Termite Coptotermes formosanus

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A nitrogen fixation gene, nifH, was amplified from mRNA of the gut microbial community of the termite Coptotermes formosanus by RT-PCR and clonally characterized. The clones were affiliated with either the anaerobe group or the pseudo-nif group of nifH, the latter of which is considered not to be involved in nitrogen fixation. No other nitrogenases were found in the gut community. Although the taxonomic identification of the relevant microorganisms is difficult to predict, the anaerobe group of the genes is critical for nitrogen fixation in this termite.