Bacterial lifestyle in a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney revealed by the genome sequence of the thermophilic bacterium Deferribacter desulfuricans SSM1

DNA Res. 2010 Jun;17(3):123-37. doi: 10.1093/dnares/dsq005. Epub 2010 Feb 26.

Abstract

The complete genome sequence of the thermophilic sulphur-reducing bacterium, Deferribacter desulfuricans SMM1, isolated from a hydrothermal vent chimney has been determined. The genome comprises a single circular chromosome of 2,234,389 bp and a megaplasmid of 308,544 bp. Many genes encoded in the genome are most similar to the genes of sulphur- or sulphate-reducing bacterial species within Deltaproteobacteria. The reconstructed central metabolisms showed a heterotrophic lifestyle primarily driven by C1 to C3 organics, e.g. formate, acetate, and pyruvate, and also suggested that the inability of autotrophy via a reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle may be due to the lack of ATP-dependent citrate lyase. In addition, the genome encodes numerous genes for chemoreceptors, chemotaxis-like systems, and signal transduction machineries. These signalling networks may be linked to this bacterium's versatile energy metabolisms and may provide ecophysiological advantages for D. desulfuricans SSM1 thriving in the physically and chemically fluctuating environments near hydrothermal vents. This is the first genome sequence from the phylum Deferribacteres.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Cell Movement
  • Chemotaxis
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / classification
  • Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / genetics*
  • Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / growth & development*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Seawater / microbiology*
  • Signal Transduction