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RNA transcript response by an Acidithiobacillus spp. mixed culture reveals adaptations to growth on arsenopyrite

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Abstract

Biooxidation of gold-bearing refractory mineral ores such as arsenopyrite (FeAsS) in stirred tanks produces solutions containing highly toxic arsenic concentrations. In this study, ferrous iron and inorganic sulfur-oxidizing Acidithiobacillus strain IBUN Ppt12 most similar to Acidithiobacillus ferrianus and inorganic sulfur compound oxidizing Acidithiobacillus sp. IBUNS3 were grown in co-culture during biooxidation of refractory FeAsS. Total RNA was extracted and sequenced from the planktonic cells to reveal genes with different transcript counts involved in the response to FeAsS containing medium. The co-culture’s response to arsenic release during biooxidation included the ars operon genes that were independently regulated according to the arsenopyrite concentration. Additionally, increased mRNA transcript counts were identified for transmembrane ion transport proteins, stress response mechanisms, accumulation of inorganic polyphosphates, urea catabolic processes, and tryptophan biosynthesis. Acidithiobacillus spp. RNA transcripts also included those encoding the Rus and PetI proteins involved in ferrous iron oxidation and gene clusters annotated as encoding inorganic sulfur compound metabolism enzymes. Finally, mRNA counts of genes related to DNA methylation, management of oxidative stress, chemotaxis, and motility during biooxidation were decreased compared to cells growing without mineral. The results provide insights into the adaptation of Acidithiobacillus spp. to growth during biooxidation of arsenic-bearing sulfides.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

adapted from Quatrini et al. (2009). Rus, rusticyanin; NDH1, NADH complex; Cyt bc1, cytochrome bc1 (complex III, ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase)

Fig. 4

adapted from Christel et al. (2016)

Fig. 5

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Change history

  • 03 March 2021

    The original version is updated due to request on inclusion of missing supplementary files.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Universidad Nacional de Colombia through the program for strengthening research, creation and innovation 2016-2018 (QUIPU: 201010013078), by Colombian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (former Colciencias), program 647 for the formation of high-level human resource. The authors thank Sören Bellenberg for constructive comments on the manuscript, Stephanie Turner for help during the preparation of the RNA and biooxidation samples, and Horacio Calle for kindly providing the ore sample. The authors acknowledge support from Science for Life Laboratory and the National Genomics Infrastructure for providing assistance in massive parallel sequencing.

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  1. Bioprocesses and Bioprospecting Group, Biotechnology Institute (IBUN), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá D.C., Colombia

    Carlos Eduardo Barragán & Dolly Montoya

  2. Applied Mineralogy and Bioprocesses Research Group, Facultad de Minas, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia

    Carlos Eduardo Barragán & Marco Antonio Márquez

  3. Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems EEMiS, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden

    Mark Dopson

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Correspondence to Dolly Montoya.

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The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The handling and use of genetic material from the Colombian strains were conducted according to legislative guidelines of the Colombian Agency of Environmental Licenses (ANLA), in the frame of the project RGE 0152-18 linked to the access to genetic resources contract No. 121 dated 22/Ene/16.

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Barragán, C.E., Márquez, M.A., Dopson, M. et al. RNA transcript response by an Acidithiobacillus spp. mixed culture reveals adaptations to growth on arsenopyrite. Extremophiles 25, 143–158 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-021-01217-0

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