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Quorum‐sensing system in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans involved in its resistance to Cu 2+
Author(s) -
Wenbin N.,
Dejuan Z.,
Feifan L.,
Lei Y.,
Peng C.,
Xiaoxuan Y.,
Hongyu L.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2011.03066.x
Subject(s) - acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans , quorum sensing , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , bioleaching , bacteria , population , chemistry , acidithiobacillus , biology , strain (injury) , biofilm , biochemistry , genetics , copper , medicine , environmental health , organic chemistry , anatomy
Aims: The purpose of this study was to search for the relationship between quorum sensing (QS) and Cu 2+ resistance in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans . Methods and Results: Resistance to Cu 2+ of A. ferrooxidans significantly decreased with the treatment dose of a synthetic QS blocker ( 5Z )‐4‐bromo‐5‐(bromomethylene)‐2( 5H )‐furanone (FUR). Relative differences in expression of the QS genes afeI , afeR and Cu 2+ resistance‐associated genes afe0329 , afe0454 were examined in the presence of Cu 2+ and/or FUR compound. The expression of QS genes afeI and afeR increased significantly with 50 mmol l −1 Cu 2+ in the culture, while for samples treated with both 50 mmol l −1 Cu 2+ and 0·01 μg ml −1 FUR compound, they showed little changes compared with control, and the expression of afe0329 and afe0454 genes increased slightly either. These results showed that QS system was positively related to the mechanism of Cu 2+ resistance. Conclusions: QS system in A. ferrooxidans involved in its resistance to Cu 2+. Significance and Impact of the Study: The mechanisms of Cu 2+ resistance in A. ferrooxidans could be revealed on a population level rather than on a single‐cell level. Our work also provides useful data for further selection of A. ferrooxidans strains with suitable Cu 2+ resistance that could probably increase the bioleaching efficiency.