Physiological and Genetic Characteristics of Psychrotolerant Acidophile Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans ZB-1 and DX-1

The draft genome of newly isolated Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans ZB-1 and DX-1 were deciphered to obtain a comprehensive insight into the genetic information and to discover the cellular mechanisms during its high activity in low temperature environment. Genome analysis speculated that Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans ZB-1 and DX-1 could fix carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle and other central carbon metabolism potentially, and may be able to absorb and utilize nitrate or nitrite in the environment. The related cryophylactic genes (CspD, CspE, Fad and FabG) and gene clusters in fatty acid synthesis were discovered and suggested to play a crucial role in cold resistance.