Comparative genome analysis of extremophile Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans grown on different substrates
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| Year of publication | 2017 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Acidithiobacillus spp. are Gram-negative, mesophilic, chemolithotrophic bacteria thriving in extremely acidic environments. Due to their ability to oxidize metal sulfides, they are important members of microbial consortia involved in the metal recycling industry. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strain CCM 4253 was isolated from an acid mine drainage at Zlaté Hory in the Czech Republic. Under laboratory conditions, A. ferrooxidans is typically cultivated on elemental sulfur or ferrous iron. Effective bacterial adaptation to different substrates (such as from elemental sulfur to ferrous iron and vice versa) is essential during metal sulfide oxidation. The Illumina sequencing technology was used to monitor potential DNA mutation providing genetic and phenotypic flexibility in response to energy substrate changes. Indeed, the mobile element ISAfe1 was found to be inserted in the pstC2 gene encoding part of the ABC transporter complex involved in phosphate import. In addition, this protein complex belongs to the protein-protein interacting network of rusticyanin, an important iron oxidation marker. Preliminary results suggest one of the prospective regulations of phenotypic switching at the DNA level by reversible inactivation of the pstC2 gene. Further study will aim to determine under what external conditions it occurs. In the future, this knowledge will be essential to control acid mine drainage formation and to optimize metal recovery. |
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