The SUP05 bacterial population has kept scientists confused because they are often found where there is no basis for life. Led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, a team has found that these bacteria carry around sulfur as a reserve for energy. In addition, they have also deciphered the bacteria's genome. By doing this they have been able to identify the bacteria as Thioglobus perditus. The group's work was published recently in Nature Communications.
“Following the decoding of the genome we then developed a gene test, with the help of which we are now able to identify this microbe precisely,” says first author Cameron Callbeck.
Using nitrate to breathe, the team found that the bacteria absorbs energy when it turns sulfide to sulfate. By performing this reaction, the bacteria converts sulfide, removes carbon dioxide and transforms nitrate to non-reactive dinitrogen gas.
Now the researchers questioned how the organism survived under unlivable conditions?
Using nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry, the group was able to measure individual Thioglobus perditus bacteria cells in the environment and gain insight to how the SUP05 cells were living in these conditions. They found that the bacteria actually carried sulfur and had all the tools within itself to transform it.
“The ability to store and grow on elemental sulfur enables the Thioglobus perditus cells also to remain active far from sulfide-rich coastal waters, at least for a limited time,” says corresponding author Tim Ferdelman. “As part of the current study, we have for the first time determined how quickly individual cells of SUP05 bacteria take-up carbon dioxide in the environment, and thus grow in these waters. This makes them potentially interesting actors in the global cycles of carbon and nitrogen.”