Candidatus Chloracidobacterium thermophilum: An Aerobic Phototrophic Acidobacterium

• Bryant, Donald A.
;
• Costas, Amaya M. Garcia
;
• Maresca, Julia A.
;
• Chew, Aline Gomez Maqueo
;
• Klatt, Christian G.
;
• Bateson, Mary M.
;
• Tallon, Luke J.
;
• Hostetler, Jessica
;
• Nelson, William C.
;
• Heidelberg, John F.
;
• Ward, David M.

Abstract

Only five bacterial phyla with members capable of chlorophyll (Chl)-based phototrophy are presently known. Metagenomic data from the phototrophic microbial mats of alkaline siliceous hot springs in Yellowstone National Park revealed the existence of a distinctive bacteriochlorophyll (BChl)-synthesizing, phototrophic bacterium. A highly enriched culture of this bacterium grew photoheterotrophically, synthesized BChls a and c under oxic conditions, and had chlorosomes and type 1 reaction centers. “Candidatus Chloracidobacterium thermophilum” is a BChl-producing member of the poorly characterized phylum Acidobacteria.