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Ullrich SR, Fuchs H, Ashworth-Güth C. Electrochemical and structural characterization of recombinant respiratory proteins of the acidophilic iron oxidizer Ferrovum sp. PN-J47-F6 suggests adaptations to the acidic pH at protein level. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1357152. [PMID: 38384274 PMCID: PMC10879576 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1357152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The tendency of the periplasmic redox proteins in acidophiles to have more positive redox potentials (Em) than their homologous counterparts in neutrophiles suggests an adaptation to acidic pH at protein level, since thermodynamics of electron transfer processes are also affected by acidic pH. Since this conclusion is mainly based on the electrochemical characterization of redox proteins from extreme acidophiles of the genus Acidithiobacillus, we aimed to characterize three recombinant redox proteins of the more moderate acidophile Ferrovum sp. PN-J47-F6. We applied protein film voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry coupled to UV/Vis spectroscopy to characterize the redox behavior of HiPIP-41, CytC-18, and CytC-78, respectively. The Em-values of HiPIP-41 (571 ± 16 mV), CytC-18 (276 ± 8 mV, 416 ± 2 mV), and CytC-78 (308 ± 7 mV, 399 ± 7 mV) were indeed more positive than those of homologous redox proteins in neutrophiles. Moreover, our findings suggest that the adaptation of redox proteins with respect to their Em occurs more gradually in response to the pH, since there are also differences between moderate and more extreme acidophiles. In order to address structure function correlations in these redox proteins with respect to structural features affecting the Em, we conducted a comparative structural analysis of the Ferrovum-derived redox proteins and homologs of Acidithiobacillus spp. and neutrophilic proteobacteria. Hydrophobic contacts in the redox cofactor binding pockets resulting in a low solvent accessibility appear to be the major factor contributing to the more positive Em-values in acidophile-derived redox proteins. While additional cysteines in HiPIPs of acidophiles might increase the effective shielding of the [4Fe-4S]-cofactor, the tight shielding of the heme centers in acidophile-derived cytochromes is achieved by a drastic increase in hydrophobic contacts (A.f. Cyc41), and by a larger fraction of aromatic residues in the binding pockets (CytC-18, CytC-78).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie R. Ullrich
- Environmental Microbiology Group, Institute for Biological Sciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
- Biohydrometallurgy Group, Institute for Biological Sciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Helena Fuchs
- Biohydrometallurgy Group, Institute for Biological Sciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Ashworth-Güth
- Salt and Mineral Chemistry Group, Institute for Inorganic Chemistry, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
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2
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Lu P, Jiang J, Liu C, Okuda S, Itoh H, Okamoto K, Suzuki M, Nagata K. Molecular mechanism of Fe 3+ binding inhibition to Vibrio metschnikovii ferric ion-binding protein, FbpA, by rosmarinic acid and its hydrolysate, danshensu. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4881. [PMID: 38143427 PMCID: PMC10804667 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Global warming has increased the growth of pathogenic Vibrio bacteria, which can cause foodborne illnesses and death. Vibrio bacteria require iron for growth and survival. They utilize a ferric ion-binding protein (FbpA) to bind and transport Fe3+ into the cell. FbpA from Vibrio metschnikovii (Vm) is a potential target for inhibiting its growth. Rosmarinic acid (RA) can block the binding of VmFbpA to Fe3+ ; however, the molecular mechanism of Fe3+ binding and RA inhibition to VmFbpA is unclear. In this study, we used x-ray crystallography to determine the Fe3+ -binding mode of VmFbpA and the mechanism of RA inhibition. The structures revealed that in the Fe3+ bound form, Fe3+ was coordinated to VmFbpA by two Tyr residues, two HCO3 - ions, and two water molecules in a six-coordinated geometry. In contrast, in the inhibitor bound form, RA was initially bound to VmFbpA following gel filtration purification, but it was hydrolyzed to danshensu (DSS), which occupied the binding site as shown in an electron density map and reverse phase chromatography (RPC) analysis. Both RA and DSS exhibited a stronger binding affinity to VmFbpA, higher Fe3+ reduction capacity, and more potent bacteriostatic effect on V. metschnikovii compared with caffeic acid (CA), another hydrolysis product of RA. These results provide insight into the mechanism of iron acquisition by V. metschnikovii and inhibition by RA and DSS. Our findings offer clues on the development of effective strategies to prevent Vibrio infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lu
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Jinyan Jiang
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Suguru Okuda
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Hideaki Itoh
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Ken Okamoto
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Michio Suzuki
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Koji Nagata
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Agricultural Bioinformatics Research Unit, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Research Center for Food Safety, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
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Ullrich SR, Fuchs H, Schlömann M. Shedding light on the electron transfer chain of a moderately acidophilic iron oxidizer: characterization of recombinant HiPIP-41, CytC-18 and CytC-78 derived from Ferrovum sp. PN-J47-F6. Res Microbiol 2024; 175:104088. [PMID: 37348744 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Efficient electron transfer from the donor to the acceptor couple presents a necessary requirement for acidophilic and neutrophilic iron oxidizers due to the low energy yield of aerobic ferrous iron oxidation. Involved periplasmic electron carriers are very diverse in these bacteria and show adaptations to the respective thermodynamic constraints such as a more positive redox potential reported for extreme acidophilic Acidithiobacillus spp. Respiratory chain candidates of moderately acidophilic members of the genus Ferrovum share similarities with both their neutrophilic iron oxidizing relatives and the more distantly related Acidithiobacillus spp. We examined our previous omics-based conclusions on the potential electron transfer chain in Ferrovum spp. by characterizing the three redox protein candidates CytC-18, CytC-78 and HiPIP-41 of strain PN-J47-F6 which were produced as recombinant proteins in Eschericha coli. UV/Vis-based redox assays suggested that HiPIP-41 has a very positive redox potential while redox potentials of CytC-18 and CytC-78 are more negative than their counterparts in Acidithiobacillus spp. Far Western dot blotting demonstrated interactions between all three recombinant redox proteins while redox assays showed the electron transfer from HiPIP-41 to either of the cytochromes. Altogether, CytC-18, CytC-78 and HiPIP-41 indeed represent very likely candidates of the electron transfer in Ferrovum sp. PN-J4-F6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie R Ullrich
- TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute for Biological Sciences, Leipziger Strasse 29, Freiberg, Germany.
| | - Helena Fuchs
- TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute for Biological Sciences, Leipziger Strasse 29, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Michael Schlömann
- TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute for Biological Sciences, Leipziger Strasse 29, Freiberg, Germany
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4
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Li L, Zhou L, Jiang C, Liu Z, Meng D, Luo F, He Q, Yin H. AI-driven pan-proteome analyses reveal insights into the biohydrometallurgical properties of Acidithiobacillia. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1243987. [PMID: 37744906 PMCID: PMC10512742 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1243987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Microorganism-mediated biohydrometallurgy, a sustainable approach for metal recovery from ores, relies on the metabolic activity of acidophilic bacteria. Acidithiobacillia with sulfur/iron-oxidizing capacities are extensively studied and applied in biohydrometallurgy-related processes. However, only 14 distinct proteins from Acidithiobacillia have experimentally determined structures currently available. This significantly hampers in-depth investigations of Acidithiobacillia's structure-based biological mechanisms pertaining to its relevant biohydrometallurgical processes. To address this issue, we employed a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI)-driven approach, with a median model confidence of 0.80, to perform high-quality full-chain structure predictions on the pan-proteome (10,458 proteins) of the type strain Acidithiobacillia. Additionally, we conducted various case studies on de novo protein structural prediction, including sulfate transporter and iron oxidase, to demonstrate how accurate structure predictions and gene co-occurrence networks can contribute to the development of mechanistic insights and hypotheses regarding sulfur and iron utilization proteins. Furthermore, for the unannotated proteins that constitute 35.8% of the Acidithiobacillia proteome, we employed the deep-learning algorithm DeepFRI to make structure-based functional predictions. As a result, we successfully obtained gene ontology (GO) terms for 93.6% of these previously unknown proteins. This study has a significant impact on improving protein structure and function predictions, as well as developing state-of-the-art techniques for high-throughput analysis of large proteomic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangzhi Li
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- Beijing Research Institute of Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy, Beijing, China
| | - Chengying Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenghua Liu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Delong Meng
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Feng Luo
- School of Computing, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Qiang He
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Huaqun Yin
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, China
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5
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Sand W, Schippers A, Hedrich S, Vera M. Progress in bioleaching: fundamentals and mechanisms of microbial metal sulfide oxidation - part A. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:6933-6952. [PMID: 36194263 PMCID: PMC9592645 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12168-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Bioleaching of metal sulfides is performed by diverse microorganisms. The dissolution of metal sulfides occurs via two chemical pathways, either the thiosulfate or the polysulfide pathway. These are determined by the metal sulfides’ mineralogy and their acid solubility. The microbial cell enables metal sulfide dissolution via oxidation of iron(II) ions and inorganic sulfur compounds. Thereby, the metal sulfide attacking agents iron(III) ions and protons are generated. Cells are active either in a planktonic state or attached to the mineral surface, forming biofilms. This review, as an update of the previous one (Vera et al., 2013a), summarizes some recent discoveries relevant to bioleaching microorganisms, contributing to a better understanding of their lifestyle. These comprise phylogeny, chemical pathways, surface science, biochemistry of iron and sulfur metabolism, anaerobic metabolism, cell–cell communication, molecular biology, and biofilm lifestyle. Recent advances from genetic engineering applied to bioleaching microorganisms will allow in the future to better understand important aspects of their physiology, as well as to open new possibilities for synthetic biology applications of leaching microbial consortia. Key points • Leaching of metal sulfides is strongly enhanced by microorganisms • Biofilm formation and extracellular polymer production influences bioleaching • Cell interactions in mixed bioleaching cultures are key for process optimization
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Sand
- Institute of Biosciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany. .,Faculty of Chemistry, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Axel Schippers
- Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR), Hannover, Germany
| | - Sabrina Hedrich
- Institute of Biosciences, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Mario Vera
- Instituto de Ingeniería Biológica y Médica, Escuelas de Ingeniería, Medicina y Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. .,Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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6
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Expression, purification, characterization and direct electrochemistry of two HiPIPs from Acidithiobacillus caldus SM-1. Anal Biochem 2022; 650:114724. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Kucera J, Lochman J, Bouchal P, Pakostova E, Mikulasek K, Hedrich S, Janiczek O, Mandl M, Johnson DB. A Model of Aerobic and Anaerobic Metabolism of Hydrogen in the Extremophile Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:610836. [PMID: 33329503 PMCID: PMC7735108 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.610836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen can serve as an electron donor for chemolithotrophic acidophiles, especially in the deep terrestrial subsurface and geothermal ecosystems. Nevertheless, the current knowledge of hydrogen utilization by mesophilic acidophiles is minimal. A multi-omics analysis was applied on Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans growing on hydrogen, and a respiratory model was proposed. In the model, [NiFe] hydrogenases oxidize hydrogen to two protons and two electrons. The electrons are used to reduce membrane-soluble ubiquinone to ubiquinol. Genetically associated iron-sulfur proteins mediate electron relay from the hydrogenases to the ubiquinone pool. Under aerobic conditions, reduced ubiquinol transfers electrons to either cytochrome aa 3 oxidase via cytochrome bc 1 complex and cytochrome c 4 or the alternate directly to cytochrome bd oxidase, resulting in proton efflux and reduction of oxygen. Under anaerobic conditions, reduced ubiquinol transfers electrons to outer membrane cytochrome c (ferrireductase) via cytochrome bc 1 complex and a cascade of electron transporters (cytochrome c 4, cytochrome c 552, rusticyanin, and high potential iron-sulfur protein), resulting in proton efflux and reduction of ferric iron. The proton gradient generated by hydrogen oxidation maintains the membrane potential and allows the generation of ATP and NADH. These results further clarify the role of extremophiles in biogeochemical processes and their impact on the composition of the deep terrestrial subsurface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Kucera
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jan Lochman
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Pavel Bouchal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Eva Pakostova
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
| | - Kamil Mikulasek
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | - Sabrina Hedrich
- Institute of Biosciences, Technische Universität (TU) Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Oldrich Janiczek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Martin Mandl
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - D Barrie Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom
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8
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Hanazono Y, Takeda K, Miki K. Characterization of perdeuterated high-potential iron-sulfur protein with high-resolution X-ray crystallography. Proteins 2019; 88:251-259. [PMID: 31365157 DOI: 10.1002/prot.25793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Perdeuteration in neutron crystallography is an effective method for determining the positions of hydrogen atoms in proteins. However, there is shortage of evidence that the high-resolution details of perdeuterated proteins are consistent with those of the nondeuterated proteins. In this study, we determined the X-ray structure of perdeuterated high-potential iron-sulfur protein (HiPIP) at a high resolution of 0.85 å resolution. The comparison of the nondeuterated and perdeuterated structures of HiPIP revealed slight differences between the two structures. The spectroscopic and spectroelectrochemical studies also showed that perdeuterated HiPIP has approximately the same characteristics as nondeuterated HiPIP. These results further emphasize the suitability of using perdeuterated proteins in the high-resolution neutron crystallography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Hanazono
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuki Takeda
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kunio Miki
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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9
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Grabarczyk DB, Ash PA, Myers WK, Dodd EL, Vincent KA. Dioxygen controls the nitrosylation reactions of a protein-bound [4Fe4S] cluster. Dalton Trans 2019; 48:13960-13970. [DOI: 10.1039/c9dt00924h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Iron–sulfur clusters are exceptionally tuneable protein cofactors, and as one of their many roles they are involved in biological responses to nitrosative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B. Grabarczyk
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Oxford
- Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- Oxford
- UK
| | - Philip A. Ash
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Oxford
- Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- Oxford
- UK
| | - William K. Myers
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Oxford
- Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- Oxford
- UK
| | - Erin L. Dodd
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Oxford
- Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- Oxford
- UK
| | - Kylie A. Vincent
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Oxford
- Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- Oxford
- UK
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10
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Wojnowska M, Gault J, Yong SC, Robinson CV, Berks BC. Precursor-Receptor Interactions in the Twin Arginine Protein Transport Pathway Probed with a New Receptor Complex Preparation. Biochemistry 2018; 57:1663-1671. [PMID: 29460615 PMCID: PMC5852461 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The twin arginine translocation (Tat) system moves folded proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria and the thylakoid membrane of plant chloroplasts. Signal peptide-bearing substrates of the Tat pathway (precursor proteins) are recognized at the membrane by the TatBC receptor complex. The only established preparation of the TatBC complex uses the detergent digitonin, rendering it unsuitable for biophysical analysis. Here we show that the detergent glyco-diosgenin (GDN) can be used in place of digitonin to isolate homogeneous TatBC complexes that bind precursor proteins with physiological specificity. We use this new preparation to quantitatively characterize TatBC-precursor interactions in a fully defined system. Additionally, we show that the GDN-solubilized TatBC complex co-purifies with substantial quantities of phospholipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Wojnowska
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Oxford , South Parks Road , Oxford OX1 3QU , United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Gault
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry , University of Oxford , South Parks Road , Oxford OX1 3QZ , United Kingdom
| | - Shee Chien Yong
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Oxford , South Parks Road , Oxford OX1 3QU , United Kingdom
| | - Carol V Robinson
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry , University of Oxford , South Parks Road , Oxford OX1 3QZ , United Kingdom
| | - Ben C Berks
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Oxford , South Parks Road , Oxford OX1 3QU , United Kingdom
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11
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Ueoka N, Kouzuma A, Watanabe K. Missing Iron-Oxidizing Acidophiles Highly Sensitive to Organic Compounds. Microbes Environ 2016; 31:244-8. [PMID: 27356527 PMCID: PMC5017800 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me16086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Acidithiobacillus includes iron-oxidizing lithoautotrophs that thrive in acidic mine environments. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is a representative species and has been extensively studied for its application to the bioleaching of precious metals. In our attempts to cultivate the type strain of A. ferrooxidans (ATCC 23270T), repeated transfers to fresh inorganic media resulted in the emergence of cultures with improved growth traits. Strains were isolated from the resultant culture by forming colonies on inorganic silica-gel plates. A representative isolate (strain NU-1) was unable to form colonies on agarose plates and was more sensitive to organics, such as glucose, than the type strain of A. ferrooxidans. Strain NU-1 exhibited superior growth traits in inorganic iron media to those of other iron-oxidizing acidithiobacilli, suggesting its potential for industrial applications. A draft genome of NU-1 uncovered unique features in catabolic enzymes, indicating that this strain is not a mutant of the A. ferrooxidans type strain. Our results indicate that the use of inorganic silica-gel plates facilitates the isolation of as-yet-unexamined iron-oxidizing acidithiobacilli from environmental samples and enrichment cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagayoshi Ueoka
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences
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12
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ÇOLAK DN, GÜLER Hİ, ÇANAKÇI S, BELDÜZ AO. Biochemical characterization of wild-type and mutant (Q9F and S21Y/V22D)iron oxidases isolated from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans M1. Turk J Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.3906/biy-1501-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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13
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Wu X, Liu L, Zhang Z, Deng F, Liu X. Phylogenetic and genetic characterization of Acidithiobacillus strains isolated from different environments. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 30:3197-209. [PMID: 25252934 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-014-1747-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To study the phylogenetic relationships and genetic heterogeneity of 21 Acidithiobacillus strains isolated from different environments, we amplified and sequenced the 16S-23S rRNA gene intergenic spacers (ITS) of all these strains. These sequence data, combined with related sequences available from GenBank, were divided into six phylogenetic groups by 16S rRNA gene and by 16S-23S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The results of phylogenetic analysis were consistent with those obtained by repetitive element PCR and arbitrarily primed PCR. In this research, the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans) strains were always separated into two groups in phylogenetic and cluster analyses. Genotypic analyses of the genes rusA, rusB, hip and iro suggest that these two groups may have different biochemical mechanisms for oxidizing ferrous iron. Strains in one A. ferrooxidans group were detected with rusA gene that encodes rusticyanin A which plays a very important role in the iron respiratory chain. The second A. ferrooxidans group was found to contain rusB gene which encode a homologous protein (RusB). The data suggested that ITS-based phylogeny is an effective tool to elucidate the relationships of Acidithiobacillus and that a different iron oxidation pathway may exist in different A. ferrooxidans groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueling Wu
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Biometallurgy of Ministry of Education, Central South University, Biobuilding, Lushan South Road 932, Yuelu District, Changsha, 410083, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
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14
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Talla E, Hedrich S, Mangenot S, Ji B, Johnson DB, Barbe V, Bonnefoy V. Insights into the pathways of iron- and sulfur-oxidation, and biofilm formation from the chemolithotrophic acidophile Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans CF27. Res Microbiol 2014; 165:753-60. [PMID: 25154051 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2014.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 07/29/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The iron-oxidizing acidithiobacilli cluster into at least four groups, three of which (Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus ferridurans and Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans) have been designated as separate species. While these have many physiological traits in common, they differ in some phenotypic characteristics including motility, and pH and temperature minima. In contrast to At. ferrooxidans and At. ferridurans, all At. ferrivorans strains analysed to date possess the iro gene (encoding an iron oxidase) and, with the exception of strain CF27, the rusB gene encoding an iso-rusticyanin whose exact function is uncertain. Strain CF27 differs from other acidithiobacilli by its marked propensity to form macroscopic biofilms in liquid media. To identify the genetic determinants responsible for the oxidation of ferrous iron and sulfur and for the formation of extracellular polymeric substances, the genome of At. ferrivorans CF27 strain was sequenced and comparative genomic studies carried out with other Acidithiobacillus spp.. Genetic disparities were detected that indicate possible differences in ferrous iron and reduced inorganic sulfur compounds oxidation pathways among iron-oxidizing acidithiobacilli. In addition, strain CF27 is the only sequenced Acidithiobacillus spp. to possess genes involved in the biosynthesis of fucose, a sugar known to confer high thickening and flocculating properties to extracellular polymeric substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Talla
- Aix-Marseille Université and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LCB UMR7283, 31 chemin J. Aiguier, 13402 Marseilles Cedex 20, France.
| | - Sabrina Hedrich
- College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, LL57 2UW Bangor Gwynedd, UK.
| | - Sophie Mangenot
- CEA/IG/Genoscope, Laboratoire de finition, 2 rue Gaston Cremieux, CP5706, 91057 Evry Cedex, France.
| | - Boyang Ji
- Aix-Marseille Université and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LCB UMR7283, 31 chemin J. Aiguier, 13402 Marseilles Cedex 20, France.
| | - D Barrie Johnson
- College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, LL57 2UW Bangor Gwynedd, UK.
| | - Valérie Barbe
- CEA/IG/Genoscope, Laboratoire de finition, 2 rue Gaston Cremieux, CP5706, 91057 Evry Cedex, France.
| | - Violaine Bonnefoy
- Aix-Marseille Université and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LCB UMR7283, 31 chemin J. Aiguier, 13402 Marseilles Cedex 20, France.
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Purification and Characterization of Sulfide:Quinone Oxidoreductase from an Acidophilic Iron-Oxidizing Bacterium,Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2014; 71:2735-42. [DOI: 10.1271/bbb.70332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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16
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Bird LJ, Saraiva IH, Park S, Calçada EO, Salgueiro CA, Nitschke W, Louro RO, Newman DK. Nonredundant roles for cytochrome c2 and two high-potential iron-sulfur proteins in the photoferrotroph Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1. J Bacteriol 2014; 196:850-8. [PMID: 24317397 PMCID: PMC3911180 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00843-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The purple bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1 expresses multiple small high-potential redox proteins during photoautotrophic growth, including two high-potential iron-sulfur proteins (HiPIPs) (PioC and Rpal_4085) and a cytochrome c2. We evaluated the role of these proteins in TIE-1 through genetic, physiological, and biochemical analyses. Deleting the gene encoding cytochrome c2 resulted in a loss of photosynthetic ability by TIE-1, indicating that this protein cannot be replaced by either HiPIP in cyclic electron flow. PioC was previously implicated in photoferrotrophy, an unusual form of photosynthesis in which reducing power is provided through ferrous iron oxidation. Using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and flash-induced spectrometry, we show that PioC has a midpoint potential of 450 mV, contains all the typical features of a HiPIP, and can reduce the reaction centers of membrane suspensions in a light-dependent manner at a much lower rate than cytochrome c2. These data support the hypothesis that PioC linearly transfers electrons from iron, while cytochrome c2 is required for cyclic electron flow. Rpal_4085, despite having spectroscopic characteristics and a reduction potential similar to those of PioC, is unable to reduce the reaction center. Rpal_4085 is upregulated by the divalent metals Fe(II), Ni(II), and Co(II), suggesting that it might play a role in sensing or oxidizing metals in the periplasm. Taken together, our results suggest that these three small electron transfer proteins perform different functions in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina J. Bird
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Divisions of Biology and Geological and Planetary Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Ivo H. Saraiva
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Shannon Park
- Divisions of Biology and Geological and Planetary Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Eduardo O. Calçada
- Requimte, CQFB, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - Carlos A. Salgueiro
- Requimte, CQFB, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - Wolfgang Nitschke
- Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines (UMR7281), CNRS/AMU, FR3479, Marseille, France
| | - Ricardo O. Louro
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Dianne K. Newman
- Divisions of Biology and Geological and Planetary Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
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Live cell imaging shows reversible assembly of the TatA component of the twin-arginine protein transport system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:E3650-9. [PMID: 24003141 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1306738110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) machinery transports folded proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria and the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts. It has been inferred that the Tat translocation site is assembled on demand by substrate-induced association of the protein TatA. We tested this model by imaging YFP-tagged TatA expressed at native levels in living Escherichia coli cells in the presence of low levels of the TatA paralogue TatE. Under these conditions the TatA-YFP fusion supports full physiological Tat transport activity. In agreement with the TatA association model, raising the number of transport-competent substrate proteins within the cell leads to an increase in the number of large TatA complexes present. Formation of these complexes requires both a functional TatBC substrate receptor and the transmembrane proton motive force (PMF). Removing the PMF causes TatA complexes to dissociate, except in strains with impaired Tat transport activity. Based on these observations we propose that TatA assembly reaches a critical point at which oligomerization can be reversed only by substrate transport. In contrast to TatA-YFP, the oligomeric states of TatB-YFP and TatC-YFP fusions are not affected by substrate or the PMF, although TatB-YFP oligomerization does require TatC.
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18
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Progress in bioleaching: fundamentals and mechanisms of bacterial metal sulfide oxidation—part A. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2013; 97:7529-41. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-013-4954-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 309] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Revised: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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19
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Parker Siburt CJ, Mietzner TA, Crumbliss AL. FbpA--a bacterial transferrin with more to offer. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2011; 1820:379-92. [PMID: 21933698 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2011.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2011] [Revised: 08/25/2011] [Accepted: 09/02/2011] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gram negative bacteria require iron for growth and virulence. It has been shown that certain pathogenic bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae possess a periplasmic protein called ferric binding protein (FbpA), which is a node in the transport of iron from the cell exterior to the cytosol. SCOPE OF REVIEW The relevant literature is reviewed which establishes the molecular mechanism of FbpA mediated iron transport across the periplasm to the inner membrane. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Here we establish that FbpA may be considered a bacterial transferrin on structural and functional grounds. Data are presented which suggest a continuum whereby FbpA may be considered as a naked iron carrier, as well as a Fe-chelate carrier, and finally a member of the larger family of periplasmic binding proteins. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE An investigation of the molecular mechanisms of action of FbpA as a member of the transferrin super family enhances our understanding of bacterial mechanisms for acquisition of the essential nutrient iron, as well as the modes of action of human transferrin, and may provide approaches to the control of pathogenic diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Transferrins: Molecular mechanisms of iron transport and disorders.
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Amouric A, Brochier-Armanet C, Johnson DB, Bonnefoy V, Hallberg KB. Phylogenetic and genetic variation among Fe(II)-oxidizing acidithiobacilli supports the view that these comprise multiple species with different ferrous iron oxidation pathways. Microbiology (Reading) 2011; 157:111-122. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.044537-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autotrophic acidophilic iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria of the genus Acidithiobacillus constitute a heterogeneous taxon encompassing a high degree of diversity at the phylogenetic and genetic levels, though currently only two species are recognized (Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans). One of the major functional disparities concerns the biochemical mechanisms of iron and sulfur oxidation, with discrepancies reported in the literature concerning the genes and proteins involved in these processes. These include two types of high-potential iron–sulfur proteins (HiPIPs): (i) Iro, which has been described as the iron oxidase; and (ii) Hip, which has been proposed to be involved in the electron transfer between sulfur compounds and oxygen. In addition, two rusticyanins have been described: (i) rusticyanin A, encoded by the rusA gene and belonging to the well-characterized rus operon, which plays a central role in the iron respiratory chain; and (ii) rusticyanin B, a protein to which no function has yet been ascribed. Data from a multilocus sequence analysis of 21 strains of Fe(II)-oxidizing acidithiobacilli obtained from public and private collections using five phylogenetic markers showed that these strains could be divided into four monophyletic groups. These divisions correlated not only with levels of genomic DNA hybridization and phenotypic differences among the strains, but also with the types of rusticyanin and HiPIPs that they harbour. Taken together, the data indicate that Fe(II)-oxidizing acidithiobacilli comprise at least four distinct taxa, all of which are able to oxidize both ferrous iron and sulfur, and suggest that different iron oxidation pathways have evolved in these closely related bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnès Amouric
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UPR-CNRS 9043, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Université, 31 chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Céline Brochier-Armanet
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UPR-CNRS 9043, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Université, 31 chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - D. Barrie Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Violaine Bonnefoy
- Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, UPR-CNRS 9043, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Aix-Marseille Université, 31 chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - Kevin B. Hallberg
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
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21
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Xia JL, Zhang Q, Zhang RY, Peng JH, Peng AA, Zhao XJ, Nie ZY, Qiu GZ. Isolation and characterization of acidophilic bacterium from Dongxiangshan Mine in Xinjiang Province, China. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s11771-010-0010-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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22
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Chen H, Yang B, Chen X. Identification and characterization of four strains of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans isolated from different sites in China. Microbiol Res 2009; 164:613-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2007.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2006] [Revised: 08/26/2007] [Accepted: 09/06/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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23
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Valdés J, Pedroso I, Quatrini R, Dodson RJ, Tettelin H, Blake R, Eisen JA, Holmes DS. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans metabolism: from genome sequence to industrial applications. BMC Genomics 2008; 9:597. [PMID: 19077236 PMCID: PMC2621215 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-9-597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 315] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2008] [Accepted: 12/11/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is a major participant in consortia of microorganisms used for the industrial recovery of copper (bioleaching or biomining). It is a chemolithoautrophic, gamma-proteobacterium using energy from the oxidation of iron- and sulfur-containing minerals for growth. It thrives at extremely low pH (pH 1-2) and fixes both carbon and nitrogen from the atmosphere. It solubilizes copper and other metals from rocks and plays an important role in nutrient and metal biogeochemical cycling in acid environments. The lack of a well-developed system for genetic manipulation has prevented thorough exploration of its physiology. Also, confusion has been caused by prior metabolic models constructed based upon the examination of multiple, and sometimes distantly related, strains of the microorganism. RESULTS The genome of the type strain A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 was sequenced and annotated to identify general features and provide a framework for in silico metabolic reconstruction. Earlier models of iron and sulfur oxidation, biofilm formation, quorum sensing, inorganic ion uptake, and amino acid metabolism are confirmed and extended. Initial models are presented for central carbon metabolism, anaerobic metabolism (including sulfur reduction, hydrogen metabolism and nitrogen fixation), stress responses, DNA repair, and metal and toxic compound fluxes. CONCLUSION Bioinformatics analysis provides a valuable platform for gene discovery and functional prediction that helps explain the activity of A. ferrooxidans in industrial bioleaching and its role as a primary producer in acidic environments. An analysis of the genome of the type strain provides a coherent view of its gene content and metabolic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Valdés
- Center for Bioinformatics and Genome Biology, Fundación Ciencia para la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
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24
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Zeng J, Jiang H, Geng M, Wang Y, Zhang X, Liu J, Qiu G. In vitro assembly of [Fe4S4] cluster in high potential iron-sulfur protein from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Curr Microbiol 2008; 57:161-6. [PMID: 18574631 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-008-9170-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2007] [Accepted: 03/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
High-potential iron-sulfur protein (HiPIP) has been proposed to be involved in the iron respiratory electron transport chain in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, which contains an [Fe(4)S(4)] cluster. We report here the assembly of an [Fe(4)S(4)] cluster in HiPIP from A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 in vitro in the presence of Fe(2+) and sulfide. The spectra and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry results of holoHiPIP confirmed that the iron-sulfur cluster was correctly assembled into the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zeng
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Resources Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, PRC.
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25
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Zeng J, Jiang H, Liu Y, Liu J, Qiu G. Expression, purification and characterization of a high potential iron-sulfur protein from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Biotechnol Lett 2007; 30:905-10. [PMID: 18058071 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-007-9612-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2007] [Revised: 11/19/2007] [Accepted: 11/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The high potential iron-sulfur protein (HiPIP) is involved in the iron respiratory electron transport chain of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans but its exact role is unclear. The gene of HiPIP from A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the protein then purified by one-step affinity chromatography to homogeneity. The molecular mass of the HiPIP monomer was 7250.43 Da by MALDI-TOF MS, indicating the presence of the [Fe(4)S(4)] cluster. The optical and EPR spectra results of the recombinant protein confirmed that the iron-sulfur cluster was correctly inserted into the active site of the protein. Site-directed mutagenesis results revealed that Cys25, Cys28, Cys37 and Cys50 were involved in ligating to the iron-sulfur cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zeng
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Resources Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, P.R. China
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26
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Chi A, Valenzuela L, Beard S, Mackey AJ, Shabanowitz J, Hunt DF, Jerez CA. Periplasmic proteins of the extremophile Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans: a high throughput proteomics analysis. Mol Cell Proteomics 2007; 6:2239-51. [PMID: 17911085 PMCID: PMC4631397 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m700042-mcp200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is a chemolithoautotrophic acidophile capable of obtaining energy by oxidizing ferrous iron or sulfur compounds such as metal sulfides. Some of the proteins involved in these oxidations have been described as forming part of the periplasm of this extremophile. The detailed study of the periplasmic components constitutes an important area to understand the physiology and environmental interactions of microorganisms. Proteomics analysis of the periplasmic fraction of A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 was performed by using high resolution linear ion trap-FT MS. We identified a total of 131 proteins in the periplasm of the microorganism grown in thiosulfate. When possible, functional categories were assigned to the proteins: 13.8% were transport and binding proteins, 14.6% were several kinds of cell envelope proteins, 10.8% were involved in energy metabolism, 10% were related to protein fate and folding, 10% were proteins with unknown functions, and 26.1% were proteins without homologues in databases. These last proteins are most likely characteristic of A. ferrooxidans and may have important roles yet to be assigned. The majority of the periplasmic proteins from A. ferrooxidans were very basic compared with those of neutrophilic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, suggesting a special adaptation of the chemolithoautotrophic bacterium to its very acidic environment. The high throughput proteomics approach used here not only helps to understand the physiology of this extreme acidophile but also offers an important contribution to the functional annotation for the available genomes of biomining microorganisms such as A. ferrooxidans for which no efficient genetic systems are available to disrupt genes by procedures such as homologous recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Chi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
| | - Lissette Valenzuela
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology and Cell Dynamics and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 7800024, Chile
| | - Simon Beard
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology and Cell Dynamics and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 7800024, Chile
| | - Aaron J. Mackey
- Department of Microbiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
| | - Jeffrey Shabanowitz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
| | - Donald F. Hunt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908
| | - Carlos A. Jerez
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biology and Cell Dynamics and Biotechnology Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 7800024, Chile
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27
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Khan A, Shouldice S, Kirby S, Yu RH, Tari L, Schryvers A. High-affinity binding by the periplasmic iron-binding protein from Haemophilus influenzae is required for acquiring iron from transferrin. Biochem J 2007; 404:217-25. [PMID: 17313366 PMCID: PMC1868806 DOI: 10.1042/bj20070110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The periplasmic iron-binding protein, FbpA (ferric-ion-binding protein A), performs an essential role in iron acquisition from transferrin in Haemophilus influenzae. A series of site-directed mutants in the metal-binding amino acids of FbpA were prepared to determine their relative contribution to iron binding and transport. Structural studies demonstrated that the mutant proteins crystallized in an open conformation with the iron atom associated with the C-terminal domain. The iron-binding properties of the mutant proteins were assessed by several assays, including a novel competitive iron-binding assay. The relative ability of the proteins to compete for iron was pH dependent, with a rank order at pH 6.5 of wild-type, Q58L, H9Q>H9A, E57A>Y195A, Y196A. The genes encoding the mutant FbpA were introduced into H. influenzae and the resulting strains varied in the level of ferric citrate required to support growth on iron-limited medium, suggesting a rank order for metal-binding affinities under physiological conditions comparable with the competitive binding assay at pH 6.5 (wild-type=Q58L>H9Q>H9A, E57A>Y195A, Y196A). Growth dependence on human transferrin was only obtained with cells expressing wild-type, Q58L or H9Q FbpAs, proteins with stability constants derived from the competition assay >2.0x10(18) M(-1). These results suggest that a relatively high affinity of iron binding by FbpA is required for removal of iron from transferrin and its transport across the outer membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali G. Khan
- *Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1
| | - Stephen R. Shouldice
- *Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1
| | - Shane D. Kirby
- *Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1
| | - Rong-hua Yu
- *Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1
| | | | - Anthony B. Schryvers
- *Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1
- To whom correspondence should be addressed (email )
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28
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Zeng J, Geng M, Jiang H, Liu Y, Liu J, Qiu G. The IscA from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is an iron-sulfur protein which assemble the [Fe4S4] cluster with intracellular iron and sulfur. Arch Biochem Biophys 2007; 463:237-44. [PMID: 17470358 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2007.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2007] [Revised: 03/08/2007] [Accepted: 03/16/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
IscA was proposed to be involved in the iron-sulfur cluster assembly in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans encoded by the iscSUA operon, but the role of IscA in the iron-sulfur cluster assembly still remains controversial. In this study, the IscA from A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified by affinity chromatography to homogeneity. To our surprise, the purified IscA was observed to be an iron-sulfur protein according to MALDI-TOF-MS and spectra results, which was capable of recruiting intracellular iron and sulfur and hosted a stable [Fe4S4] cluster. Site-directed mutagenesis for the protein revealed that Cys35, Cys99 and Cys101 were in ligating with the [Fe4S4] cluster. The [Fe4S4] cluster could be assembled in apoIscA with Fe2+ and sulfide in vitro. The IscA from A. ferrooxidans may function as a scaffold protein for the pre-assembly of Fe-S cluster and then transfer it to target proteins in A. ferrooxidans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zeng
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Resources Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, PR China
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29
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Zeng J, Geng M, Liu Y, Xia L, Liu J, Qiu G. The sulfhydryl group of Cys138 of rusticyanin from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is crucial for copper binding. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2007; 1774:519-25. [PMID: 17395555 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2007.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2007] [Revised: 02/05/2007] [Accepted: 02/08/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Rusticyanin is a small blue copper protein isolated from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans with extreme acid stability and redox potential. The protein is thought to be a principal component in the iron respiratory electron transport chain in this microorganism, but its exact role in electron transfer remains controversial. The gene of rusticyanin was cloned then overexpressed in Escherichia coli, the soluble protein was purified by one-step affinity chromatography to apparent homogeneity. It was reported that Cys138, His85 and His143 were important residues for copper binding, but the significance of Cys138 was not verified so far. We constructed the mutant expression plasmids of these three residues using site-directed mutagenesis. Mutant proteins were expressed in E. coli and purified with a nickel metal affinity column. The EPR and atomic absorption spectroscopy results confirmed that Cys138 was crucial for copper binding. Removal of the sulfhydryl group of Cys138 resulted in copper loss. Mutations of His85 and His143 showed little effect on copper binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zeng
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Resources Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, PR China
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30
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Bruscella P, Appia-Ayme C, Levicán G, Ratouchniak J, Jedlicki E, Holmes DS, Bonnefoy V. Differential expression of two bc1 complexes in the strict acidophilic chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans suggests a model for their respective roles in iron or sulfur oxidation. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2007; 153:102-10. [PMID: 17185539 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.2006/000067-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Three strains of the strict acidophilic chemolithoautotrophic Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, including the type strain ATCC 23270, contain a petIIABC gene cluster that encodes the three proteins, cytochrome c1, cytochrome b and a Rieske protein, that constitute a bc1 electron-transfer complex. RT-PCR and Northern blotting show that the petIIABC cluster is co-transcribed with cycA, encoding a cytochrome c belonging to the c4 family, sdrA, encoding a putative short-chain dehydrogenase, and hip, encoding a high potential iron-sulfur protein, suggesting that the six genes constitute an operon, termed the petII operon. Previous results indicated that A. ferrooxidans contains a second pet operon, termed the petI operon, which contains a gene cluster that is similarly organized except that it lacks hip. Real-time PCR and Northern blot experiments demonstrate that petI is transcribed mainly in cells grown in medium containing iron, whereas petII is transcribed in cells grown in media containing sulfur or iron. Primer extension experiments revealed possible transcription initiation sites for the petI and petII operons. A model is presented in which petI is proposed to encode the bc1 complex, functioning in the uphill flow of electrons from iron to NAD(P), whereas petII is suggested to be involved in electron transfer from sulfur (or formate) to oxygen (or ferric iron). A. ferrooxidans is the only organism, to date, to exhibit two functional bc1 complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice Bruscella
- CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale et de Microbiologie, Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne, 31 chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402, Marseille Cedex 20, France
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Zeng J, Geng M, Liu Y, Zhao W, Xia L, Liu J, Qiu G. Expression, purification and molecular modelling of the Iro protein from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Fe-1. Protein Expr Purif 2006; 52:146-52. [PMID: 17140808 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2006.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2006] [Revised: 09/20/2006] [Accepted: 09/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Iro protein was proposed to be involved in the iron respiratory electron transport chain in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, it is a member of HiPIP family with the iron-sulfur cluster for electron transfer. The gene of Iro protein from A. ferrooxidans Fe-1 was cloned and then successfully expressed in Escherichia coli, finally purified by one-step affinity chromatography to homogeneity. The recombinant protein was observed to be dimer. The molecular mass of a monomer containing the [Fe4S4] cluster was 6847.35 Da by MALDI-TOF-MS. The optical and EPR spectra results of the recombinant protein confirmed that the iron-sulfur cluster was correctly inserted into the active site of the protein. Molecular modelling for the protein revealed that Cys20, Cys23, Cys32 and Cys45 were in ligation with the iron-sulfur cluster, and Tyr10 was important for the stability of the [Fe4S4] cluster. As we know, this is the first report of expression in E. coli of the Iro protein from A. ferrooxidans Fe-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zeng
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Resources Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, PR China
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Nouailler M, Bruscella P, Lojou E, Lebrun R, Bonnefoy V, Guerlesquin F. Structural analysis of the HiPIP from the acidophilic bacteria: Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Extremophiles 2006; 10:191-8. [PMID: 16604275 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-005-0486-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2005] [Accepted: 10/02/2005] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Hip is a high-potential iron-sulfur protein (HiPIP) isolated from the acidophilic bacterium, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. In the present work, a structural model of Hip suggests that the role of proline residues is essential to stabilize the protein folding at very low pH. The presence of an unusual disulfide bridge in Hip is demonstrated using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. This disulfide bridge is necessary to anchor the N-terminal extremity of the protein, but is not involved in the acid stability of Hip. The structural parameters correlated with the pH dependence of Hip redox potential are also analysed on the basis of this model. Given that the same structural features can enhance acidic stability and lead to elevated redox potentials, modulation of the redox potentials of electron carriers may be necessary to achieve electron transfer at very low pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Nouailler
- Unité de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, CNRS, 31 chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille, Cedex 20, France
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