genome analysis of an acid mine drainage species, for potential commercial acetic acid production and biomining.

The genome of strain AIU 301, acidophilic, aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, was investigated for potential metabolic pathways associated with organic acid production and metal uptake. The genome was compared to other acidic mine drainage isolates, JF-5 and , as well as 386B, which ferments cocoa beans. Plasmids between two were compared, and only two of the sixteen plasmids were identified as potentially similar. Comparisons of the genome size to the number of protein coding sequences indicated that and follow the line of best fit unlike 386B, which suggests that it was improperly annotated in the database. Pathways between these four species were analyzed bioinformatically and are discussed here. AIU 301, shares pathways with 386B including aldehyde and alcohol dehydrogenase pathways, which are used in the generation of vinegar. Mercury reductase, arsenate reductase and sulfur utilization proteins were identified and discussed at length. The absence of sulfur utilization proteins from AIU 301 suggests that this species uses previously undefined pathways for sulfur acquisition. Bioinformatic examination revealed novel pathways that may benefit commercial fields including acetic acid production and biomining.