Genome analysis of a new sulphur disproportionating species Thermosulfurimonas strain F29 and comparative genomics of sulfur-disproportionating bacteria from marine hydrothermal vents

Abstract

This paper reports on the genome analysis of strain F29 representing a new species of the genus Thermosulfurimonas . This strain, isolated from the Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, is able to grow by disproportionation of S0 with CO2 as a carbon source. Strain F29 possesses a genome of 2,345,565 bp, with a G+C content of 58.09%, and at least one plasmid. The genome analysis revealed complete sets of genes for CO2 fixation via the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway, for sulphate-reduction and for hydrogen oxidation, suggesting the involvement of the strain into carbon, sulphur, and hydrogen cycles of deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Strain F29 genome encodes also several CRISPR sequences, suggesting that the strain may be subjected to viral attacks. Comparative genomics was carried out to decipher sulphur disproportionation pathways. Genomes of sulphur-disproportionating bacteria from marine hydrothermal vents were compared to the genomes of non-sulphur-disproportionating bacteria. This analysis revealed the ubiquitous presence in these genomes of a molybdopterin protein consisting of a large and a small subunit, and an associated chaperone. We hypothesize that these proteins may be involved in the process of elemental sulphur disproportionation.

Disproportionation of Inorganic Sulfur Compounds by Mesophilic ChemolithoautotrophicCampylobacterota

“…However, the enzymatic machinery of elemental sulfur disproportionation has been much less studied from a functional perspective. Based on the current state of knowledge, there are clearly several routes of disproportionation for inorganic sulfur compounds, as are reviewed elsewhere ( 10 , 11 , 23 , 42 ). The bacterial sulfur disproportionators originating from hydrothermal vents that have been described so far (see the list in the Introduction section) and belong to Desulfobacterota most likely use some enzymes that are common to the dissimilatory sulfate reduction pathway ( aprAB , sat , dsrABD , dsrС , and dsrMKJOP ) to carry out parts of the reactions of the sulfur disproportionation pathway ( 11 , 23 , 42 ).…”

“…Based on the current state of knowledge, there are clearly several routes of disproportionation for inorganic sulfur compounds, as are reviewed elsewhere ( 10 , 11 , 23 , 42 ). The bacterial sulfur disproportionators originating from hydrothermal vents that have been described so far (see the list in the Introduction section) and belong to Desulfobacterota most likely use some enzymes that are common to the dissimilatory sulfate reduction pathway ( aprAB , sat , dsrABD , dsrС , and dsrMKJOP ) to carry out parts of the reactions of the sulfur disproportionation pathway ( 11 , 23 , 42 ). Other candidate genes (rhodanese-like sulfurtransferases, molybdopterin oxidoreductases, YTD gene cluster, MOLY cluster, aprB gene with a truncated tail, and Eyh protein) ( 11 – 13 , 23 , 42 ) that could encode proteins that are putatively involved in the sulfur disproportionation pathway have also been reported.…”

“…The bacterial sulfur disproportionators originating from hydrothermal vents that have been described so far (see the list in the Introduction section) and belong to Desulfobacterota most likely use some enzymes that are common to the dissimilatory sulfate reduction pathway ( aprAB , sat , dsrABD , dsrС , and dsrMKJOP ) to carry out parts of the reactions of the sulfur disproportionation pathway ( 11 , 23 , 42 ). Other candidate genes (rhodanese-like sulfurtransferases, molybdopterin oxidoreductases, YTD gene cluster, MOLY cluster, aprB gene with a truncated tail, and Eyh protein) ( 11 – 13 , 23 , 42 ) that could encode proteins that are putatively involved in the sulfur disproportionation pathway have also been reported. The genomes of the strains ST-27 and ST-29 that were isolated in this study, which belong to Campylobacterota , do not encode the aprAB , dsrAB , dsrС , and dsrMKJOP genes ( Fig.…”

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat/CRISPR-Associated Protein and Its Utility All at Sea: Status, Challenges, and Prospects

“…78-ME [ 32 ], an important polyaromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium residing in petroleum deposits, and thermophilic chemolithoautotroph Desulfurobacterium sp. strain AV08 and Thermosulfurimonas strain F29 from deep-sea hydrothermal environments [ 80 , 81 ] all possess the CRISPR/Cas system.…”

“…78-ME [32], an important polyaromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium residing in petroleum deposits, and thermophilic chemolithoautotroph Desulfurobacterium sp. strain AV08 and Thermosulfurimonas strain F29 from deep-sea hydrothermal environments [80,81] all possess the CRISPR/Cas system. CRISPR/Cas defense mechanisms have been found in the genome of marine archaea Nitrososphaerota and Nanoarchaeota inhabiting extreme environments [82][83][84].…”