# Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Sulfur-Oxidizing Stutzerimonas Species from Hydrothermal Sediments and Its Adaptation to the Hydrothermal Environment

## TL;DR

A new sulfur-oxidizing Stutzerimonas species was isolated from hydrothermal sediments and shown to adapt to extreme environments through specific genes and mineral interactions.

## Contribution

The study isolates and characterizes a novel Stutzerimonas species with sulfur-oxidizing capabilities and identifies its adaptation mechanisms in hydrothermal environments.

## Key findings

- Strain 381-2T oxidizes thiosulfate to tetrathionate and encodes the tsdA gene.
- The strain influences sulfide mineral weathering and metal ion reprecipitation.
- Genomic analysis shows widespread tsdA and metal resistance genes in Stutzerimonas.

## Abstract

Stutzerimonas, a genus newly separated from the Pseudomonadaceae family in 2022, has attracted considerable attention due to its diverse metabolic capabilities and environmental adaptability. However, the mechanisms underlying its sulfur-oxidizing capacity and survival strategies in extreme environments remain poorly understood. Clarifying potential sulfur-oxidizing microbial groups contributes to a more accurate understanding of energy flow and elemental cycling in hydrothermal ecosystems. In this study, we isolated and identified a sulfur-oxidizing strain, designated 381-2T, from sediments in the Tianxiu hydrothermal field of the northwest Indian Ocean, and proposed it as a new species of Stutzerimonas. Physiological characterizations demonstrated that strain 381-2T could oxidize thiosulfate to tetrathionate and encoded the key sulfur oxidation gene tsdA. Cultivation with sulfide minerals showed that strain 381-2T could influence sulfide mineral weathering through metabolic activities, such as pH regulation, and potentially promote the reprecipitation of metal ions on the microbial surface. Comparative genomic analysis of 322 Stutzerimonas genomes further revealed the widespread presence of the tsdA gene and metal resistance genes, suggesting potential adaptive strategies for survival in hydrothermal environments. This study expands the understanding of Stutzerimonas species and provides insights into their ecological roles in hydrothermal systems.