Multi-omics reveals the response and adaptation of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans BY-3 under arsenic stress

ABSTRACT: Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans exhibits arsenic resistance and plays a significant role in biometallurgy and sulfur cycling within ecosystems. This study employed integrated transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses to investigate the molecular response mechanisms of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans BY-3 (At.f BY-3) under arsenic stress. It also explored its ability to bioleach heavy metals and provided new insights for bioremediation. Transcriptomic data revealed that the number of differentially expressed genes increased in an arsenic dose-dependent manner. Under arsenic stress, At.f BY-3 exhibited global downregulation of genes associated with secondary metabolism and chemotaxis, which may reduce unnecessary energy expenditure and redirect metabolic resources to arsenic resistance. Proteomic analysis identified 337 significantly differential proteins, which were mainly enriched in c-di-GMP signal transduction, sulfur cycling, redox homeostasis, and transmembrane transport. A total of 53 differential metabolites screened via metabolomics were primarily annotated to ABC transport systems, sulfur metabolism, and stress signaling. Multi-omics integration further revealed that At.f BY-3 maintained energy homeostasis via coordinated carbon and sulfur metabolism, enhanced arsenic efflux by activating ABC transporters, and optimized membrane structure and signal systems for stress perception, with sulfur cycling serving as the core arsenic-adaptive strategy. Moreover, bioleaching assays confirmed the strong arsenic bioleaching capacity of At.f BY-3, which was further improved after domestication. The present work clarifies the molecular mechanisms conferring arsenic resistance to Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, laying a theoretical foundation for the improvement of biohydrometallurgy and heavy metal bioremediation protocols.

INSTRUMENT(S): Liquid Chromatography MS - negative - reverse-phase, Liquid Chromatography MS - positive - reverse-phase

PROVIDER: MTBLS15537 | MetaboLights | 2026-09-03

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights