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Studies on the growth ofThiobacillus ferrooxidans

III. Influence of uranium, other metal ions and 2:4-dinitrophenol on ferrous iron oxidation and carbon dioxide fixation by cell suspensions

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Summary

Suspensions ofThiobacillus ferrooxidans in Warburg flasks oxidized ferrous iron and coupled14CO2 fixation to the oxidation. The sulphates of zinc, cobalt, copper, nickel or uranium (0.1–1.0 M) depressed the rate of Fe2+ oxidation: nickel and uranyl ions were the most inhibitory. Uranyl, copper and nickel ions inhibited iron-dependent CO2-fixation, the two former producing a marked uncoupling effect on CO2-fixation, similar to that produced by 2:4-dinitrophenol. Molybdate also inhibited iron oxidation. Incorporation of14C-labelled amino acids and glucose was largely dependent on energy from ferrous-iron oxidation and was also strongly inhibited by uranyl sulphate. Kinetic analysis of the inhibition of iron-oxidation by uranium indicated mixed competitive and non-competitive inhibition. Little binding of238U,63Ni or59Fe toT. ferrooxidans was observed and the effects of uranium were concluded to result mainly from loose binding at sites on the cell membrane concerned with iron-oxidation and possibly the transport of other metals. Molybdate probably interfered with sulphate-dependent steps of iron oxidation. Uncoupling of CO2-fixation probably resulted in part from interference with energy metabolism and could depend on transport of uranyl ions through the cell membrane. CO2-fixation by an uraniumtolerant culture (U+) was less sensitive to uranyl-inhibition than that by the wild-type strain (U−), but iron oxidation and CO2-fixation were much more sensitive to uranium when the U− organisms were previously cultured on thiosulphate rather than ferrous iron.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Queen Elizabeth College, Atkins Building, Campden Hill, W8 7AH, London, England

    Olli H. Tuovinen &  Donovan P. Kelly

  2. Department of Agricultural Biochemistry Waite Agricultural Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, 5064, Glen Osmond, South Australia, Australia

    Olli H. Tuovinen

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  1. Olli H. Tuovinen
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  2. Donovan P. Kelly
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Tuovinen, O.H., Kelly, D.P. Studies on the growth ofThiobacillus ferrooxidans . Arch. Microbiol. 95, 165–180 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02451758

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02451758

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