Genomic and physiological characterization of an antimony and arsenite-oxidizing bacterium Roseomonas rhizosphaerae

Antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) are two toxic metalloids, which are listed as priority environmental pollutants by the European Union and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Antimony taken up by plants enters the food chain and poses a threat to human health. Microbial oxidation of antimonite (Sb(III)) and arsenite (As (III)) to the less toxic antimonate (Sb(V)) and arsenate (As(V)), has great potential for the immobilization of Sb and As in the environment. A heterotrophic aerobic bacterium, Roseomonas rhizosphaerae YW11, oxidized both Sb(III) and As(III) in the modified R2A medium. In the same medium, strain YW11 preferred to oxidize Sb(III), whereas the As(III) oxidation rate was only 50%. Genomic analysis of YW11 confirmed the presence of several As-resistance gene islands. The aioAB genes encoding As(III) oxidase were also induced by Sb(III). The role of aioA in Sb(III) oxidation and resistance was confirmed by disrupting this gene in strain YW11, resulting in the loss of Sb(III) oxidation abilities. This study documents an enzymatic basis for microbial Sb(III) oxidation in strain YW11, which is a novel bacterial strain showing simultaneous oxidation of Sb(III) and As(III), and may be a potential candidate for bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated environments.