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Keeping a neutral cytoplasm; the bioenergetics of obligate acidophiles

1990; Oxford University Press; Volume: 75; Issue: 2-3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1574-6968.1990.tb04104.x

1574-6968

Abdul Matin,

Mitochondrial Function and Pathology

Obligate acidophiles, which grow optimally in the pH range of 2-4, are an intriguing group of organisms.They span the taxonomic and physiological groupings from archaebacteria (e.g.Sulfolobus acidocaldarius) to eukaryotes (e.g.Cyanidium caldarius ) and strict autotrophs to strict heterotrophs.The acidic environments they inhabit abound: vast areas of low-lying soils, mining regions, diverse aquatic environments, and sulfur rich geothermal areas [11.A problem of considerable concern is environmental acid pollution, which is caused primarily by acid-mine drainage and acid rain.Both are amenable to control through ~ better understanding of the bioenergetics of acidophiles: the former by the possible manipulation of the activity of acidophiles [2], the latter through the hiodesulfurization of fossil fuels [3].Another emerging technology that will benefit from a better understanding of acidophiles is biomining [3,4].These technologies depend on biological processes possible only at very low pH values and rely on the activity of obligate acidophiles such as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and $. acidocaldarius.