Publication Abstract

Biofilm development in the extremely acidophilic archaeon ‘Ferroplasma acidarmanus’ Fer1.

C. Baker-Austin*, J. Potrykus, M. Wexler, P. L. Bond and M. Dopson

‘Ferroplasma acidarmanus’ Fer1 is an iron-oxidizing extreme acidophile initially isolated from the Iron Mountain mine, California, USA.  ‘F. acidarmanus’ Fer1 is predominantly found in biofilm-associated structures in the environment, and produces two distinct biofilm morphologies. Bioinformatic analysis of the ‘F. acidarmanus’ Fer1 genome identified genes annotated as involved in attachment and biofilm formation but not quorum sensing signaling systems. Scanning confocal microscopy analysis of biofilm development on the surface of pyrite demonstrated the temporal and spatial development of biofilm growth. Furthermore, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to examine differential protein expression patterns between biofilm and planktonic populations. Ten up-regulated proteins were identified that included six enzymes associated with anaerobic growth, suggesting that the dominating phenotype in the mature biofilm was associated with anoxic modes of growth. This is the first report to examine the genetic, biochemical and proteomic basis of biofilm formation in an extreme acidophilic archaeon.

Reference:

C. Baker-Austin*, J. Potrykus, M. Wexler, P. L. Bond and M. Dopson (2010) Biofilm development in the extremely acidophilic archaeon ‘Ferroplasma acidarmanus’ Fer1. Extremophiles 14(6); 485-491