Open AccessArsenite oxidation and arsenate respiration by a new Thermus isolate
Author(s) -
Gihring Thomas M,
Banfield Jillian F
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2001.tb10907.x
Subject(s) - thermus , arsenite , arsenate , thermus aquaticus , arsenic , biology , thermus thermophilus , 16s ribosomal rna , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , thermophile , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics , organic chemistry , escherichia coli , gene
Abstract A new microbial strain was isolated from an arsenic‐rich terrestrial geothermal environment. The isolate, designated HR13, was identified as a Thermus species based on 16S rDNA phylogenetic relationships and close sequence similarity within the Thermus genus. Under aerobic conditions, Thermus HR13 was capable of rapidly oxidizing inorganic As(III) to As(V). As(III) was oxidized at a rate approximately 100‐fold greater than abiotic rates. Metabolic energy was not gained from the oxidation reaction. In the absence of oxygen, Thermus HR13 grew by As(V) respiration coupled with lactate oxidation. The ability to oxidize and reduce arsenic has not been previously described within the Thermus genus.