Mariprofundus ferrooxydans

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Classification

Domain: Bacteria; Phylum: Proteobacteria; Class: Zetaproteobacteria; Order: Mariprofundales; Family: Mariprofundaceae; Genus: Mariprofundus [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Mariprofundus ferrooxydans

Description and Significance

M. ferrooxydans viewed by TEM.

Mariprofundus ferrooxydans is a marine iron-oxidizing bacteria and is the sole member of the Zetaproteobacteria class. M. ferrooxydans are a C-shaped, motile, gram negative bacteria which exude stalks for the excretion iron oxides. [1]

M. ferooxydans was first discovered at the hydrothermal vents at Loihi Seamount, Hawaii. Here, the temperature is low, iron is abundant, and microbial mats of iron oxides surround the seamount. These mats are formed and maintained primarily by iron-oxidizing bacteria, such as M. ferrooxydans. [2]

M. ferrooxydans obtains energy from oxidizing Fe(II) and obtains carbon from CO2, designating this bacteria as a lithoautotroph. Growth has been observed at temperatures from 5 to 30, with 23 being the optimal temperature, classifying this organism as a mesophile. This bacteria is neutrophilic with an optimal pH range of 6.2-6.5, though growth has been observed at a pH range of 5.5-7.2. [3]

Genome Structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Mariprofundus ferrooxydans forms stalks that are used for the excretion and extracellular storage of oxidized iron. Iron oxyhydroxides, also known as rust, along with carboxyl-rich polysaccharides are the main components of the stalks and it is thought that these components are bound together upon excretion from the cell [1].

Energy is gained from oxidizing iron, in which reduced iron is the electron donor and oxygen is the electron receptor. Although it is an obligate iron oxidizer, cells have been cultivated on the surface of electrodes in the absence of Fe(II), during which the cells divided successfully but did not excrete stalks [4].

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

The requirements for iron oxidation and optimal growth of Mariprofundus ferrooxydans can be found in several oceanic habitats. One of these habitats is located near a hydrothermal vent, at a distance where the heated iron-rich vent fluids are dissipated into the sea water. Another habitat is located where Fe(II) leaching occurs from underwater volcanic rocks, where iron-oxidizing bacteria can form biofilms. Ships, bridges, and other manmade, iron-rich entities within marine environments can harbor iron-oxidizing bacteria, resulting in premature rusting. [4]

References

[1] [Chan, C. S., S. C. Fakra, D. Emerson, E.J. Fleming, and K.J. Edwards. "Lithotrophic iron-oxidizing bacteria produce organic stalks to control iron mineral growth: implications for biosignature formation". ISME Journal (2011) 5, p. 717-727.]

[2] Singer, E., D. Emerson, EA Webb, RA Barco, JG Kuenen, et al. (2011). "Mariprofundus ferrooxydans PV-1 the First Genome of a Marine Fe(II) Oxidizing Zetaproteobacterium". PLoS ONE 6(9): e25386. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0025386.

[3] Emerson D, Rentz JA, Lilburn TG, Davis RE, Aldrich H, et al. (2007). "A Novel Lineage of Proteobacteria Involved in Formation of Marine Fe-Oxidizing Microbial Mat Communities". PLoS ONE 2(8): e667. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000667.

[4] Summers, Z.M., J.A. Gralnick, D.R. Bond. 2013. "Cultivation of an Obligate Fe(II)-Oxidizing Lithoautotrophic Bacterium Using Electrodes". mBio 4(1):e00420-12. doi: 10.1128/mBio.00420-12.

Author

Page authored by Angela DeTomaso, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.

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