Protein profile of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans strains exhibiting different levels of tolerance to metal sulfates.

Strains of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans exhibited differences in the inhibition of Fe2+ oxidation in the presence of 250 mM of cadmium, zinc, and manganese sulfates in respirometric assays. Strains LR and 135 were practically not inhibited, whereas strains SSP and V3 showed significant inhibition (30-70%). Analysis by SDS-PAGE of total proteins from cells grown in the absence of metal sulfates showed different profiles between the more tolerant strains (LR and 135) and the more susceptible ones (SSP and V3).