Microbe-Mineral Interaction and Novel Proteins for Iron Oxide Mineral Reduction in the Hyperthermophilic Crenarchaeon Pyrodictium delaneyi

Abstract

Understanding iron reduction in the hyperthermophilic crenarchaeon Pyrodictium delaneyi provides insight into the diversity of mechanisms used for this process and its potential impact in geothermal environments. The ability of P. delaneyi to reduce Fe(III) oxide minerals through direct contact potentially using a novel cytochrome respiratory complex and a membrane-bound molybdopterin respiratory complex sets iron reduction in this organism apart from previously described iron reduction processes.