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Sulfur Metabolism among Hyperthermophiles

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Journey to Diverse Microbial Worlds

Part of the book series: Cellular Origin and Life in Extreme Habitats ((COLE,volume 2))

Abstract

Sulfur biochemistry figures prominently in the bioenergetics of many strictly anaerobic hyperthermophiles (organisms capable of growth to at least 90°C). Sulfidogenesis by the reduction of elemental sulfur to sulfide is common among the deepest phylogenetic branches of extant microbes (Figure 1). These sulfidogens are all hyperthermophiles and most are Archaea. The capacity to carry out elemental sulfur reduction is found in both archaeal lineages. Two groups of Bacteria, the Thermotogales and Aquifecales, are also hyperthermophilic sulfidogens. Other forms of sulfur metabolism are also found among hyperthermophiles including sulfate reduction by the archaeon Archaeoglobus and sulfur oxidation by Sulfolobus and its relatives. Examples of each of these will be considered here. For many of these organisms, we do not know if the organism derives any energy from carrying out sulfur reduction. This review will compare mechanisms of sulfidogenesis in selected hyperthermophiles to highlight features that might shed light on the mechanisms and evolution of this metabolism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, 06269-3125, USA

    Kenneth M. Noll

  2. Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003-5720, USA

    Susan E. Childers

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  1. Kenneth M. Noll
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  2. Susan E. Childers
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Joseph Seckbach

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Noll, K.M., Childers, S.E. (2000). Sulfur Metabolism among Hyperthermophiles. In: Seckbach, J. (eds) Journey to Diverse Microbial Worlds. Cellular Origin and Life in Extreme Habitats, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4269-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4269-4_7

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