Title Complete Genome of Leptospirillum ferriphilum ML-04 Provides Insight into Its Physiology and Environmental Adaptation
Author Shuang Mi1, Jian Song1,2, Jianqun Lin1*, Yuanyuan Che1, Huajun Zheng3, and Jianqiang Lin1
Address 1State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, P. R. China, 2Zibo Vocational Institute, Zibo 255314, P. R. China, 3Chinese National Human Genome Center at Shanghai, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
Bibliography Journal of Microbiology, 49(6),890-901, 2011,
DOI
Key Words Leptospirillum ferriphilum, genome, physiology, bioleaching, adaptation
Abstract Leptospirillum ferriphilum has been identified as the dominant, moderately thermophilic, bioleaching microorganism in bioleaching processes. It is an acidic and chemolithoautrophic bacterium that gains electrons from ferrous iron oxidation for energy production and cell growth. Genetic information about this microorganism has been limited until now, which has hindered its further exploration. In this study, the complete genome of L. ferripilum ML-04 is sequenced and annotated. The bacterium has a single circular chromosome of 2,406,157 bp containing 2,471 coding sequences (CDS), 2 rRNA operons, 48 tRNA genes, a large number of mobile genetic elements and 2 genomic islands. In silico analysis shows L. ferriphilum ML-04 fixes carbon through a reductive citric acid (rTCA) cycle, and obtains nitrogen through ammonium assimilation. The genes related to “cell envelope biogenesis, outer membrane” (6.9%) and “DNA replication, recombination and repair” (5.6%) are abundant, and a large number of genes related to heavy metal detoxification, oxidative and acidic stress defense, and signal transduction pathways were detected. The genomic plasticity, plentiful cell envelope components, inorganic element metabolic abilities and stress response mechanisms found the base for this organism’s survival in the bioleaching niche.