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Unraveling the Central Role of Sulfur-Oxidizing Acidiphilium multivorum LMS in Industrial Bioprocessing of Gold-Bearing Sulfide Concentrates. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9050984. [PMID: 34062882 PMCID: PMC8147356 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acidiphilium multivorum LMS is an acidophile isolated from industrial bioreactors during the processing of the gold-bearing pyrite-arsenopyrite concentrate at 38–42 °C. Most strains of this species are obligate organoheterotrophs that do not use ferrous iron or reduced sulfur compounds as energy sources. However, the LMS strain was identified as one of the predominant sulfur oxidizers in acidophilic microbial consortia. In addition to efficient growth under strictly heterotrophic conditions, the LMS strain proved to be an active sulfur oxidizer both in the presence or absence of organic compounds. Interestingly, Ac. multivorum LMS was able to succeed more common sulfur oxidizers in microbial populations, which indicated a previously underestimated role of this bacterium in industrial bioleaching operations. In this study, the first draft genome of the sulfur-oxidizing Ac. multivorum was sequenced and annotated. Based on the functional genome characterization, sulfur metabolism pathways were reconstructed. The LMS strain possessed a complicated multi-enzyme system to oxidize elemental sulfur, thiosulfate, sulfide, and sulfite to sulfate as the final product. Altogether, the phenotypic description and genome analysis unraveled a crucial role of Ac. multivorum in some biomining processes and revealed unique strain-specific characteristics, including the ars genes conferring arsenic resistance, which are similar to those of phylogenetically distinct microorganisms.
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Li L, Liu Z, Zhang M, Meng D, Liu X, Wang P, Li X, Jiang Z, Zhong S, Jiang C, Yin H. Insights into the Metabolism and Evolution of the Genus Acidiphilium, a Typical Acidophile in Acid Mine Drainage. mSystems 2020; 5:e00867-20. [PMID: 33203689 PMCID: PMC7677001 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00867-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we report three new Acidiphilium genomes, reclassified existing Acidiphilium species, and performed the first comparative genomic analysis on Acidiphilium in an attempt to address the metabolic potential, ecological functions, and evolutionary history of the genus Acidiphilium In the genomes of Acidiphilium, we found an abundant repertoire of horizontally transferred genes (HTGs) contributing to environmental adaption and metabolic expansion, including genes conferring photosynthesis (puf, puh), CO2 assimilation (rbc), capacity for methane metabolism (mmo, mdh, frm), nitrogen source utilization (nar, cyn, hmp), sulfur compound utilization (sox, psr, sqr), and multiple metal and osmotic stress resistance capacities (czc, cop, ect). Additionally, the predicted donors of horizontal gene transfer were present in a cooccurrence network of Acidiphilium Genome-scale positive selection analysis revealed that 15 genes contained adaptive mutations, most of which were multifunctional and played critical roles in the survival of extreme conditions. We proposed that Acidiphilium originated in mild conditions and adapted to extreme environments such as acidic mineral sites after the acquisition of many essential functions.IMPORTANCE Extremophiles, organisms that thrive in extreme environments, are key models for research on biological adaption. They can provide hints for the origin and evolution of life, as well as improve the understanding of biogeochemical cycling of elements. Extremely acidophilic bacteria such as Acidiphilium are widespread in acid mine drainage (AMD) systems, but the metabolic potential, ecological functions, and evolutionary history of this genus are still ambiguous. Here, we sequenced the genomes of three new Acidiphilium strains and performed comparative genomic analysis on this extremely acidophilic bacterial genus. We found in the genomes of Acidiphilium an abundant repertoire of horizontally transferred genes (HTGs) contributing to environmental adaption and metabolic ability expansion, as indicated by phylogenetic reconstruction and gene context comparison. This study has advanced our understanding of microbial evolution and biogeochemical cycling in extreme niches.
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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
| | - 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
| | - Min Zhang
- 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
| | - Xueduan 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
| | - Pei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiutong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuiping Zhong
- College of Zijin Mining, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
- National Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Utilization of Low-Grade Refractory Gold Ores, Shanghang, China
| | - Chengying Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - 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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Responses of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans A01 to Individual and Joint Nickel (Ni2+) and Ferric (Fe3+). MINERALS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/min9020082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans A01 is widely used in bioleaching processes and commonly thrives in most metal-rich environments. However, interactions between different heavy metals remain obscure. In this study, we elaborated the effect of ferric iron on the growth and gene expression of At. thiooxidans A01 under the stress of nickel. The results showed that 600 mM Ni2+ completely inhibited the growth and sulfur metabolism of At. thiooxidans A01. However, trace amounts of Fe3+ (0.5 mM) facilitated the growth of At. thiooxidans A01 in the presence of 600 mM Ni2+. With the addition of 5 mM Fe3+, the maximum cell density reached 1.84 × 108 cell/mL, and pH value was 0.95. In addition, metal resistance-related and sulfur metabolism genes were significantly up regulated with extra ferric iron. Taking the whole process into account, the promoting effect of Fe3+ addition can be attributed to the following: (1) alleviation of the effects of Ni2+ toxicity and restoring the growth of At. thiooxidans A01, (2) a choice of multiple pathways to export nickel ion and producing precursor of chelators of heavy metals. This can suggest that microorganisms may widely exhibit metabolic activity in iron-rich environments with heavy metals. Our study will facilitate the technique development for the processing of ore bodies with highly challenging ore compositions.
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Tkavc R, Matrosova VY, Grichenko OE, Gostinčar C, Volpe RP, Klimenkova P, Gaidamakova EK, Zhou CE, Stewart BJ, Lyman MG, Malfatti SA, Rubinfeld B, Courtot M, Singh J, Dalgard CL, Hamilton T, Frey KG, Gunde-Cimerman N, Dugan L, Daly MJ. Prospects for Fungal Bioremediation of Acidic Radioactive Waste Sites: Characterization and Genome Sequence of Rhodotorula taiwanensis MD1149. Front Microbiol 2018; 8:2528. [PMID: 29375494 PMCID: PMC5766836 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly concentrated radionuclide waste produced during the Cold War era is stored at US Department of Energy (DOE) production sites. This radioactive waste was often highly acidic and mixed with heavy metals, and has been leaking into the environment since the 1950s. Because of the danger and expense of cleanup of such radioactive sites by physicochemical processes, in situ bioremediation methods are being developed for cleanup of contaminated ground and groundwater. To date, the most developed microbial treatment proposed for high-level radioactive sites employs the radiation-resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans. However, the use of Deinococcus spp. and other bacteria is limited by their sensitivity to low pH. We report the characterization of 27 diverse environmental yeasts for their resistance to ionizing radiation (chronic and acute), heavy metals, pH minima, temperature maxima and optima, and their ability to form biofilms. Remarkably, many yeasts are extremely resistant to ionizing radiation and heavy metals. They also excrete carboxylic acids and are exceptionally tolerant to low pH. A special focus is placed on Rhodotorula taiwanensis MD1149, which was the most resistant to acid and gamma radiation. MD1149 is capable of growing under 66 Gy/h at pH 2.3 and in the presence of high concentrations of mercury and chromium compounds, and forming biofilms under high-level chronic radiation and low pH. We present the whole genome sequence and annotation of R. taiwanensis strain MD1149, with a comparison to other Rhodotorula species. This survey elevates yeasts to the frontier of biology's most radiation-resistant representatives, presenting a strong rationale for a role of fungi in bioremediation of acidic radioactive waste sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rok Tkavc
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Vera Y Matrosova
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Olga E Grichenko
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Cene Gostinčar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert P Volpe
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Polina Klimenkova
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Elena K Gaidamakova
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Carol E Zhou
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Computing Applications and Research Department, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin J Stewart
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Physics and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Mathew G Lyman
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Physics and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Stephanie A Malfatti
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Physics and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Bonnee Rubinfeld
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Physics and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Melanie Courtot
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jatinder Singh
- Collaborative Health Initiative Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Clifton L Dalgard
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States.,The American Genome Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Theron Hamilton
- Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Fredrick, MD, United States
| | - Kenneth G Frey
- Biological Defense Research Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Fredrick, MD, United States
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lawrence Dugan
- Biosciences and Biotechnology Division, Physics and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Michael J Daly
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Tian Y, Li YH. Comparative analysis of bacteria associated with different mosses by 16S rRNA and 16S rDNA sequencing. J Basic Microbiol 2016; 57:57-67. [PMID: 27515736 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201600358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
To understand the differences of the bacteria associated with different mosses, a phylogenetic study of bacterial communities in three mosses was carried out based on 16S rDNA and 16S rRNA sequencing. The mosses used were Hygroamblystegium noterophilum, Entodon compressus and Grimmia montana, representing hygrophyte, shady plant and xerophyte, respectively. In total, the operational taxonomic units (OTUs), richness and diversity were different regardless of the moss species and the library level. All the examined 1183 clones were assigned to 248 OTUs, 56 genera were assigned in rDNA libraries and 23 genera were determined at the rRNA level. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were considered as the most dominant phyla in all the libraries, whereas abundant Actinobacteria and Acidobacteria were detected in the rDNA library of Entodon compressus and approximately 24.7% clones were assigned to Candidate division TM7 in Grimmia montana at rRNA level. The heatmap showed the bacterial profiles derived from rRNA and rDNA were partly overlapping. However, the principle component analysis of all the profiles derived from rDNA showed sharper differences between the different mosses than that of rRNA-based profiles. This suggests that the metabolically active bacterial compositions in different mosses were more phylogenetically similar and the differences of the bacteria associated with different mosses were mainly detected at the rDNA level. Obtained results clearly demonstrate that combination of 16S rDNA and 16S rRNA sequencing is preferred approach to have a good understanding on the constitution of the microbial communities in mosses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Tian
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Hong Li
- College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Haidian District, Beijing, China
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Metal resistance in acidophilic microorganisms and its significance for biotechnologies. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 98:8133-44. [PMID: 25104030 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-5982-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Extremely acidophilic microorganisms have an optimal pH of <3 and are found in all three domains of life. As metals are more soluble at acid pH, acidophiles are often challenged by very high metal concentrations. Acidophiles are metal-tolerant by both intrinsic, passive mechanisms as well as active systems. Passive mechanisms include an internal positive membrane potential that creates a chemiosmotic gradient against which metal cations must move, as well as the formation of metal sulfate complexes reducing the concentration of the free metal ion. Active systems include efflux proteins that pump metals out of the cytoplasm and conversion of the metal to a less toxic form. Acidophiles are exploited in a number of biotechnologies including biomining for sulfide mineral dissolution, biosulfidogenesis to produce sulfide that can selectively precipitate metals from process streams, treatment of acid mine drainage, and bioremediation of acidic metal-contaminated milieux. This review describes how acidophilic microorganisms tolerate extremely high metal concentrations in biotechnological processes and identifies areas of future work that hold promise for improving the efficiency of these applications.
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