Overexpression of quorum sensing genes in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans enhances cell attachment and covellite bioleaching.

ABSTRACT: Cell adhesion is generally a prerequisite to the microbial bioleaching of sulfide minerals, and surface biofilm formation is modulated via quorum sensing (QS) communication. We explored the impact of the overexpression of endogenous QS machinery on the covellite bioleaching capabilities of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, a representative acidophilic chemolithoautotrophic bacterium. Cells were engineered to overexpress the endogenous qs-I operon or just the afeI gene under control of the tac promoter. Both strains exhibited increased transcriptional gene expression of afeI and improved cell adhesion to covellite, including increased production of extracellular polymeric substances and increased biofilm formation. Under low iron conditions, the improved bioleachin

SUBMITTER: Jung H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10009093 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature