Impact of the Iron-Response Regulator Genes on the Release of Iron and Aluminum from Biotite by <i>Rhizobium pusense</i> S41

In this study, the biotite weathering activities of strain S41 and mutants with deletion of the iron response regulator genes <i>fur, rirA,</i> and <i>irr</i> were compared. S41Δ<i>rirA</i> had a 35%–60% increase in Fe and Al concentrations, a 95%–112% increase in siderophore production, and a 18%–22% increase in EPS concentration, while S41Δ<i>irr</i> had a 29%–48% decrease in Fe and Al concentrations and a 32%–42% decrease in siderophore production, compared with strain S41. Under iron-sufficient conditions, S41Δ<i>rirA</i> had a 1.5-fold–2.7-fold increase in siderophore production, while there was similar siderophore production between strain S41 and S41Δ<i>irr</i>. Under iron-limited conditions, S41Δ<i>irr</i> had a 34%–40% decrease in siderophore production compared with strain S41. The expression of genes related to the synthesis of siderophores, iron uptake and transporters, and EPS production in strain S41 significantly increased in iron-limited conditions compared with that in iron-sufficient conditions. The expression of genes associated with the synthesis of siderophores and iron uptake and transporters significantly increased in S41Δ<i>rirA</i> in iron-sufficient and iron-limited conditions but decreased in S41Δ<i>irr</i> in iron-limited conditions. Our results suggested that <i>rirA</i>- and <i>irr</i>-modulated multiple genes may be related to the mineral weathering activities of strain S41.