Acidithiobacillus caldus: Difference between revisions
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==Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle== | ==Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle== | ||
A. caldus has the capabilities to reduce a number of substrates, such as reduced inorganic sulfur compounds, molecular hydrogen, formate, and other sulfide minerals. It will grow in a chemolithotrophic fashion when exposed to sulfur, and it uses reduced sulfur compounds in environments where light is not present to support autotrophic growth. | A. caldus has the capabilities to reduce a number of substrates, such as reduced inorganic sulfur compounds, molecular hydrogen, formate, and other sulfide minerals. It will grow in a chemolithotrophic fashion when exposed to sulfur, and it uses reduced sulfur compounds in environments where light is not present to support autotrophic growth. | ||
Strain BC13 of A. caldus is capable of growing on a glucose growth medium if it has not previously been exposed to sulfur. Elemental sulfur and tetrathionate are key intermediates in the metabolism of A. caldus. Sulfite oxidizes the elemental sulfur into sulfate and tetrathionate hydrolase breaks tetrathionate down into pentathionate, thiosulfate, and sulfur. | Strain BC13 of A. caldus is capable of growing on a glucose growth medium if it has not previously been exposed to sulfur. Elemental sulfur and tetrathionate are key intermediates in the metabolism of A. caldus. Sulfite oxidizes the elemental sulfur into sulfate and tetrathionate hydrolase breaks tetrathionate down into pentathionate, thiosulfate, and sulfur. | ||
The generation time of A caldus depends on the pH of its environment. At its fastest, the generation time of A caldus can occur in 2 to 3 hours. At its longest, the generation time can be around 45 hours. | |||
==Ecology and Known Roles in Symbiosis== | ==Ecology and Known Roles in Symbiosis== | ||
Revision as of 19:02, 28 January 2020
Classification
Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Acidithiobacillia; Acidithiobacillales; Acidithiobacillaceae
Genus Species
Acidithiobacillus; A. caldus
Description and Significance
A. caldus is a short, rod-shaped bacterium that moves using a single flagellum. It is gram-negative and can often be found in pairs. A. caldus typically lives within rocks found in a coal mine, and it is one of the most common microbes involved in biomining. A. caldus oxidizes reduced inorganic sulfur compounds and elemental sulfur to create the acidity needed for biomining to occur.
Genome
The genomic sequence of A. caldus has a length of 2,932,335 base pairs and is rich in GC. Strain KU has a GC content of 63.1-63.9%, while strain BC13 has a GC content of 61.7%. DNA hybridization studies have shown that the two strains exhibit 100% homology with one another, yet showed between 2-20% DNA hybridization with other species in the genus. A. caldus strains have been differentiated from other acidithiobacilli using PCR amplification to analyze the sequences of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer and restriction fragment length polymorphism.
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
A. caldus has the capabilities to reduce a number of substrates, such as reduced inorganic sulfur compounds, molecular hydrogen, formate, and other sulfide minerals. It will grow in a chemolithotrophic fashion when exposed to sulfur, and it uses reduced sulfur compounds in environments where light is not present to support autotrophic growth. Strain BC13 of A. caldus is capable of growing on a glucose growth medium if it has not previously been exposed to sulfur. Elemental sulfur and tetrathionate are key intermediates in the metabolism of A. caldus. Sulfite oxidizes the elemental sulfur into sulfate and tetrathionate hydrolase breaks tetrathionate down into pentathionate, thiosulfate, and sulfur. The generation time of A caldus depends on the pH of its environment. At its fastest, the generation time of A caldus can occur in 2 to 3 hours. At its longest, the generation time can be around 45 hours.
Ecology and Known Roles in Symbiosis
In what habitat(s) do you find this microbe? What roles (if known) does this microbe play in symbiosis with other organisms? What role or contribution does this microbe contribute to the environment.
Fun Facts
List interesting facts about this microbe that would appeal to a general audience. Does the microbe play an important role in a process relevant to society?
References
Author
This page was authored by _____ as part of the 2020 UM Study USA led by Dr. Erik Hom at the University of Mississippi.
