IntroductionAlcanivorax, a typical alkane-degrading bacterium, has demonstrated the ability to utilize inorganic electron donor in some reports. However, a comprehensive analysis of its potentiality to utilize inorganic electron donor is still lacking.MethodsIn this study, genomic and phylogenetic analyzes were used to explore the potential oxidative capacity of inorganic compounds in Alcanivorax. And its functions were verified through physiological experiments.ResultsThe sulfur oxidation-related genes sqr and tsdA are prevalent and have various evolutionary origins. Potential genes for CO oxidation were present in 39 strains, whereas genes associated with iron, hydrogen, and ammonia oxidation were either rare or absent. The physiological functions of Sqr and TsdA were confirmed in six representative strains under heterotrophic conditions. Adding thiosulfate enhanced Alcanivorax growth. However, Alcanivorax bacteria perform sulfide detoxification through Sqr rather than by gaining energy via sulfide oxidation Although no strain was confirmed to be chemoautotrophs, we discovered that the two clades, A. xenomutans and A. profundimaris, can grow under conditions with very low organic matter.DiscussionThe ability to utilize inorganic compounds as a supplementary energy source and adapt to carbon oligotrophic growth may contribute to the prevalence of Alcanivorax in marine ecosystems.

中文翻译：

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Alcanivorax 的适应机制促进了其在海洋环境中的优势


简介Alcanivorax 是一种典型的烷烃降解细菌，在一些报道中已证明能够利用无机电子供体。然而，目前仍缺乏对其利用无机电子供体潜力的全面分析。方法在本研究中，采用基因组和系统发育分析来探索 Alcanivorax 中无机化合物的潜在氧化能力。并通过生理实验验证了其功能。结果硫氧化相关基因 sqr 和 tsdA 普遍存在，并且具有不同的进化起源。CO 氧化的潜在基因存在于 39 株菌株中，而与铁、氢和氨氧化相关的基因很少见或不存在。在异养条件下，Sqr 和 TsdA 的生理功能在 6 个代表性菌株中得到证实。添加硫代硫酸盐可促进 Alcanivorax 的生长。然而，Alcanivorax 细菌通过 Sqr 而不是通过硫化物氧化获得能量来进行硫化物解毒虽然没有菌株被证实是化学自养生物，但我们发现两个分支，A. xenomutans 和 A. profundimaris，可以在有机质含量非常低的条件下生长。讨论利用无机化合物作为补充能源并适应碳寡养生长的能力可能有助于 Alcanivorax 在海洋生态系统中的普遍存在。