Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site
Published on: July 24, 2018
Genetic evidence for bacterial chemolithoautotrophy based on the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle in groundwater
Albin Alfreider1, Carsten Vogt
1Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. albin.alfreider@uibk.ac.at
Abstract:
Geologically and chemically distinct aquifers were screened for the presence of two genes coding for key enzymes of the reverse tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle in autotrophic bacteria, 2-oxoglutarate : ferredoxin oxidoreductase (oorA) and the beta subunit of ATP citrate lyase enzymes (aclB). From 42 samples investigated, aclB genes were detected in two and oorA genes in six samples retrieved from polluted and sulfidic aquifers. aclB genes were represented by a single phylotype of almost identical sequences closely affiliated with chemolithoautotrophic Sulfurimonas species. In contrast, sequences analysis of oorA genes revealed diverse phylotypes mainly related to sequences from cultivation-independent studies.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Nutrition
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
Anoxygenic Photosynthesis
Deep Sea Microbial Ecology
Microbial Mats
Carbon-dioxide Fixation

