Genetic evidence for bacterial chemolithoautotrophy based on the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle in groundwater systems.

Albin Alfreider, Carsten Vogt

Microbes and environments 2012

filter terms:

Geologically and chemically distinct aquifers were screened for the presence of two genes coding for key enzymes of the reverse tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle in autotrophic bacteria, 2-oxoglutarate : ferredoxin oxidoreductase (oorA) and the beta subunit of ATP citrate lyase enzymes (aclB). From 42 samples investigated, aclB genes were detected in two and oorA genes in six samples retrieved from polluted and sulfidic aquifers. aclB genes were represented by a single phylotype of almost identical sequences closely affiliated with chemolithoautotrophic Sulfurimonas species. In contrast, sequences analysis of oorA genes revealed diverse phylotypes mainly related to sequences from cultivation-independent studies.

Citation

Albin Alfreider, Carsten Vogt. Genetic evidence for bacterial chemolithoautotrophy based on the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle in groundwater systems. Microbes and environments. 2012;27(2):209-14