Energetics of Acidianus ambivalens growth in response to oxygen availability

Bioenergetic characterization of hyperthermophilic archaean Methanocaldococcus sp. FS406-22

Hyperthermophilic archaean Methanocaldococcus sp. FS406-22 (hereafter FS406) is a hydrogenotrophic methanogen isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent. To better understand the energetic requirements of hydrogen oxidation under extreme conditions, the thermodynamic characterization of FS406 incubations is necessary and notably underexplored. In this work, we quantified the bioenergetics of FS406 incubations at a range of temperatures (65, 76, and 85 ℃) and hydrogen concentrations (1.1, 1.4, and 2.1 mm). The biomass yields (C-mol of biomass per mol of H2 consumed) ranged from 0.02 to 0.19. Growth rates ranged from 0.4 to 1.5 h-1. Gibbs energies of incubation based on macrochemical equations of cell growth ranged from - 198 kJ/C-mol to - 1840 kJ/C-mol. Enthalpies of incubation determined from calorimetric measurements ranged from - 4150 kJ/C-mol to - 36333 kJ/C-mol. FS406 growth rates were most comparable to hyperthermophilic methanogen Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. Maintenance energy calculations from the thermodynamic parameters of FS406 and previously determined heterotrophic methanogen data revealed that temperature is a primary determinant rather than an electron donor. This work provides new insights into the thermodynamic underpinnings of a hyperthermophilic hydrothermal vent methanogen and helps to better constrain the energetic requirements of life in extreme environments.

Bioenergetics of aerobic and anaerobic growth of Shewanella putrefaciens CN32

Shewanella putrefaciens is a model dissimilatory iron-reducing bacterium that can use Fe(III) and O2 as terminal electron acceptors. Consequently, it has the ability to influence both aerobic and anaerobic groundwater systems, making it an ideal microorganism for improving our understanding of facultative anaerobes with iron-based metabolism. In this work, we examine the bioenergetics of O2 and Fe(III) reduction coupled to lactate oxidation in Shewanella putrefaciens CN32. Bioenergetics were measured directly via isothermal calorimetry and by changes to the chemically defined growth medium. We performed these measurements from 25 to 36°C. Modeling metabolism with macrochemical equations allowed us to define a theoretical growth stoichiometry for the catabolic reaction of 1.00 O2:lactate and 1.33 Fe(III):lactate that was consistent with the observed ratios of O2:lactate (1.20 ± 0.23) and Fe(III):lactate (1.46 ± 0.15) consumption. Aerobic growth showed minimal variation with temperature and minimal variation in thermodynamic potentials of incubation. Fe(III)-based growth showed a strong temperature dependence. The Gibbs energy and enthalpy of incubation was minimized at ≥30°C. Energy partitioning modeling of Fe(III)-based calorimetric incubation data predicted that energy consumption for non-growth associate maintenance increases substantially above 30°C. This prediction agrees with the data at 33 and 35°C. These results suggest that the effects of temperature on Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 are metabolism dependent. Gibbs energy of incubation above 30°C was 3-5 times more exergonic with Fe(III)-based growth than with aerobic growth. We compared data gathered in this study with predictions of microbial growth based on standard-state conditions and based on the thermodynamic efficiency of microbial growth. Quantifying the growth requirements of Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 has advanced our understanding of the thermodynamic constraints of this dissimilatory iron-reducing bacterium.

Cadmium-tolerant bacteria: current trends and applications in agriculture

Cadmium (Cd) is considered a toxic heavy metal; nevertheless, its toxicity fluctuates for different organisms. Cadmium-tolerant bacteria (CdtB) are diverse and non-phylogenetically related. Because of their ecological importance these bacteria become particularly relevant when pollution occurs and where human health is impacted. The aim of this review is to show the significance, culturable diversity, metabolic detoxification mechanisms of CdtB and their current uses in several bioremediation processes applied to agricultural soils. Further discussion addressed the technological devices and the possible advantages of genetically modified CdtB for diagnostic purposes in the future.