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closeThermophilic aerobic CO oxidizers
Posted by GMKing on 26 Mar 2009 at 18:38 GMT
There are actually 3 known aerobic thermophilic CO oxidizers, Bacillus schlegelii, Pseudomonas thermocarboxydovorans and Streptomyces carboxidovorans. Several other thermophilic streptomycetes have been described as thermophilic CO oxidizers as well, but there has been some controversy about them.
Thus, while Thermomicrobium roseum is certainly novel, it isn't the first themophile to oxidize CO aerobically. More important, it is the first documented aerobic CO oxidizer outside of the Proteobacteria/Firmicutes/Actinobacteria, and in that context the observations are very helpful for understanding the evolution of this group.
We have clone evidence that Chloroflexi-like CO oxidizers may be present in other systems.
Curiously, when we have looked in hot springs for aerobic CO oxidation, we have seen no activity at temps above about 60-65 C. Our work focused on acidic to neutral sulfur-rich systems however, and it may be that alkaline systems are better candidates.
RE: Thermophilic aerobic CO oxidizers
jeisen replied to GMKing on 28 Mar 2009 at 19:05 GMT
Thanks for the correction and additional information. We tried to survey as much of the literature as we could but it was not comprehensive. If you have citations for those statements that would be useful to post here.