Evolutionary Analysis of unique membrane protein gene family of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Abstract

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is a gram negative chemolithoautotropic proteobacterium that lives in high concentration of soluble ferrous and ferric iron, making it an interesting model for understanding biological mechanisms of bioleaching and bio mining in extremely acidic conditions. This bacteria has fascinating challenges for cells that use energy from bioleaching to grow. In this study we focus on the role of bioinformatics and its tools used in analysis of various unique uncharacterized membrane proteins in this bacterium that helps in explaining the activity of Acidithiobacillus ferroxidans in industrial bioleaching and its role as a primary producer in acidic environment.