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Abstract

Magnetite-producing magnetotactic bacteria collected from the oxic–anoxic transition zone of chemically stratified marine environments characterized by O2/H2S inverse double gradients, contained internal S-rich inclusions resembling elemental S globules, suggesting they oxidize reduced S compounds that could support autotrophy. Two strains of marine magnetotactic bacteria, MV-1 and MV-2, isolated from such sites grew in O2-gradient media with H2S or thiosulfate (S2O32–) as electron sources and O2 as electron acceptor or anaerobically with S2O32– and N2O as electron acceptor, with bicarbonate (HCO3)/CO2 as sole C source. Cells grown with H2S contained S-rich inclusions. Cells oxidized S2O32– to sulfate (SO42–). Both strains grew microaerobically with formate. Neither grew microaerobically with tetrathionate (S4O62–), methanol, or Fe2+ as FeS, or siderite (FeCO3). Growth with S2O32– and radiolabeled 14C-HCO3 showed that cell C was derived from HCO3/CO2. Cell-free extracts showed ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) activity. Southern blot analyses indicated the presence of a form II RubisCO (cbbM) but no form I (cbbL) in both strains. cbbM and cbbQ, a putative post-translational activator of RubisCO, were identified in MV-1. MV-1 and MV-2 are thus chemolithoautotrophs that use the Calvin–Benson–Bassham pathway. cbbM was also identified in Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum. Thus, magnetotactic bacteria at the oxic–anoxic transition zone of chemically stratified aquatic environments are important in C cycling and primary productivity.

Keywords  Calvin–Benson–Bassham pathway - cbbM - cbbQ - Chemolithoautotrophy - Chemoorganoautotrophy - Magnetite - Magnetotactic bacterium - Reductive pentose phosphate pathway - Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase

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