Aspects of the predicted physiology of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans deduced from an analysis of its partial genome sequence

Abstract

Candidate genes have been identified in the almost complete genome sequence of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans that are potentially involved in several physiological processes of relevance to the application of this microorganism to biohydrometallurgical processes. Candidates for six of the 10 missing genes in the previously described amino acid biosynthesis pathways have been located. Genes potentially involved in hydrogen utilization, conjugation, type IV pilus formation, heavy metal resistance and cation fluxes are described.