Phylogenetic and genetic variation among Fe(II)-oxidizing acidithiobacilli supports the view that these comprise multiple species with different ferrous iron oxidation pathways

• DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.044537-0
• Publication Date: 2010-10-01T00:56:19Z
• Authors: Agnès Amouric; Céline Brochier-A...; D. Barrie Johnson; Violaine Bonnefoy; Kevin B. Hallberg
• Keywords: Acidithiobacillus; Horizontal Gene Transfer

Autotrophic acidophilic iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria of the genus Acidithiobacillus constitute a heterogeneous taxon encompassing high degree diversity at phylogenetic genetic levels, though currently only two species are recognized ( ferrooxidans ferrivorans ). One major functional disparities concerns biochemical mechanisms iron sulfur oxidation, with discrepancies reported in literature concerning genes proteins involved these processes. These include types high-potential iron–sulfur (HiPIPs): (i) Iro, which has been described as oxidase; (ii) Hip, proposed to be electron transfer between compounds oxygen. In addition, rusticyanins have described: rusticyanin A, encoded by rusA gene belonging well-characterized rus operon, plays central role respiratory chain; B, protein no function yet ascribed. Data from multilocus sequence analysis 21 strains Fe(II)-oxidizing acidithiobacilli obtained public private collections using five markers showed that could divided into four monophyletic groups. divisions correlated not levels genomic DNA hybridization phenotypic differences among strains, but also HiPIPs they harbour. Taken together, data indicate comprise least distinct taxa, all able oxidize both ferrous sulfur, suggest different oxidation pathways evolved closely related bacteria.