Abstract

This paper describes the genome-based analysis of Tepidanaerobacter acetatoxydans strain Re1, a syntrophic acetate-oxidising bacterium (SAOB). Principal issues such as environmental adaptations, metabolic capacities, and energy conserving systems have been investigated and the potential consequences for syntrophic acetate oxidation discussed. Briefly, in pure culture, T. acetatoxydans grows with different organic compounds and produces acetate as the main product. In a syntrophic consortium with a hydrogenotrophic methanogen, it can also reverse its metabolism and instead convert acetate to formate/H-2 and CO2. It can only proceed if the product formed is continuously removed. This process generates a very small amount of energy that is scarcely enough for growth, which makes this particular syntrophy of special interest. As a crucial member of the biogas-producing community in ammonium-rich engineered AD processes, genomic features conferring ammonium resistance, bacterial defense, oxygen and temperature tolerance were found, as well as attributes related to biofilm formation and flocculation. It is likely that T. acetatoxydans can form an electrochemical gradient by putative electron-bifurcating Rnf complex and [Fe-Fe] hydrogenases, as observed in other acetogens. However, genomic deficiencies related to acetogenic metabolism and anaerobic respiration were discovered, such as the lack of formate dehydrogenase and F1F0 ATP synthase. This has potential consequences for the metabolic pathways used under SAO and non-SAO conditions. The two complete sets of bacteriophage genomes, which were found to be encoded in the genome, are also worthy of mention.

Published in

PLoS ONE
2015, Volume: 10, number: 3, article number: e0121237
Publisher: Public Library of Science

SLU Authors

• Müller, Bettina

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Manzoor, Shahid

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of the Punjab

• Niazi, Adnan

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Bongcam Rudloff, Erik

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Schnürer, Anna

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Genetics and Breeding


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0121237

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/66058