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Chemolithoautotrophy in the marine, magnetotactic bacterial strains MV-1 and MV-2

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Abstract

Magnetite-producing magnetotactic bacteria collected from the oxic–anoxic transition zone of chemically stratified marine environments characterized by O2/H2S inverse double gradients, contained internal S-rich inclusions resembling elemental S globules, suggesting they oxidize reduced S compounds that could support autotrophy. Two strains of marine magnetotactic bacteria, MV-1 and MV-2, isolated from such sites grew in O2-gradient media with H2S or thiosulfate (S2O32−) as electron sources and O2 as electron acceptor or anaerobically with S2O32− and N2O as electron acceptor, with bicarbonate (HCO3−)/CO2 as sole C source. Cells grown with H2S contained S-rich inclusions. Cells oxidized S2O32− to sulfate (SO42−). Both strains grew microaerobically with formate. Neither grew microaerobically with tetrathionate (S4O62−), methanol, or Fe2+ as FeS, or siderite (FeCO3). Growth with S2O32− and radiolabeled 14C-HCO3− showed that cell C was derived from HCO3−/CO2. Cell-free extracts showed ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) activity. Southern blot analyses indicated the presence of a form II RubisCO (cbbM) but no form I (cbbL) in both strains. cbbM and cbbQ, a putative post-translational activator of RubisCO, were identified in MV-1. MV-1 and MV-2 are thus chemolithoautotrophs that use the Calvin–Benson–Bassham pathway. cbbM was also identified in Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum. Thus, magnetotactic bacteria at the oxic–anoxic transition zone of chemically stratified aquatic environments are important in C cycling and primary productivity.

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Acknowledgements

We thank C.E. Bradburne, J.M. Shively, F.R. Tabita, and T. Wahlund for gene probes from various microorganisms, M.T. Madigan for cultures of photosynthetic bacteria, D. Emerson for advice on culturing iron-oxidizing bacteria, S.J. Molyneaux and C.O. Wirsen for suggestions and help with various chemical and enzyme assays, and B.L. Cox, K.J. Edwards, R.B. Frankel and S.L. Simmons for helpful discussions and suggestions. This work was supported by United States NSF grants MCB 9696027, CHE-9714101, and EAR-0311950, and by NASA Johnson Space Center grant NAG 9-1115.

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Author notes

  1. Annette J. Dean

    Present address: Pioneer Hy-Bred International, Inc., 7300 NW 62nd Avenue, Johnston, IA 50131, USA

  2. Linda Kimble Long

    Present address: , 843 Pinehurst Lane, Schaumburg, IL 60193, USA

  3. Shawna L. Middleton

    Present address: Mycogen Seeds, 208 Leo Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158, USA

  4. Bradley L. Dubbels

    Present address: Laboratory for Nitrogen Fixation Research, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Cordley Hall 2082, Corvallis, OR 97331-2902, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA

    Dennis A. Bazylinski & Timothy J. Williams

  2. Graduate Program in Microbiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA

    Annette J. Dean, Linda Kimble Long, Shawna L. Middleton & Bradley L. Dubbels

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  1. Dennis A. Bazylinski
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Bazylinski, D.A., Dean, A.J., Williams, T.J. et al. Chemolithoautotrophy in the marine, magnetotactic bacterial strains MV-1 and MV-2. Arch Microbiol 182, 373–387 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-004-0716-y

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