Insight into the Sulfur Metabolism by Thermoacidophilic Archaeon Metallosphaera cuprina with Genomic, Proteomic and Biochemical Tools
Abstract. The thermoacidophilic archaeon Metallosphaeracuprina was isolated from a sulfuric hot spring. M. cuprina is able to oxidize elemental sulfur, tetrathionate (S4O62+) pyrite, and a range of low-grade ores, thus is attractive to biomining industry. Dissimilatory sulfur metabolism with a sulfur oxygenase reductase (SOR) system has been reported for members of Sulfolobus and Acidianus. But SOR system was not identified in the genome of M. cuprina. Recently, we have explored the sulfur metabolism of M. cuprina with genomic, proteomic, and biochemical tools. A hypothetical model of sulfur metabolism in M. cuprina was proposed on proteomic and genomic data, and proteins that involved in sulfur metabolism have been identified in our following studies. Specifically, DsrE/TusA homologs were biochemically characterized, and a novel thiosulfate transfer reaction was found during sulfur oxidation with M. cuprina. More recently, we cloned and identified a CoA-dependent NAD(P)H sulfur oxidoreductase from M.cuprina. The study will cover new understandings of the sulfur metabolism with M. cuprina.