Genome analysis of Ferrigenium kumadai An22

Microaerphilic iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB), which are able to oxidize ferrous iron (Fe(II)) under circumneutral pH conditions, have been recognized as a key player for the Fe cycle in freshwater and marine environments. FeOB members in the family Gallionellaceae is one of the typical microaerophilic FeOB, and several species have been isolated so far. Ferrigenium kumadai strain An22, isolated from a paddy field soil, was recently described as a novel genus in this family. As well as most of the other FeOB members, strain An22 is an autotroph and does not utilize substrates other than Fe(II). Although twisted stalk is the characteristic form of Fe oxides produced by Gallionella ferruginea, the strain An22 does not produce particular forms of Fe oxides. The aim of this project is to reveal genomic feature of the strain An22 and obtain knowledge for better understanding of ecophysiology of microaerophilic FeOB.