Desulfosporosinus

Desulfosporosinus is a genus of bacteria in the family Peptococcaceae. The bacteria are anaerobic, gram-positive, and spore-forming. They are known for their ability to reduce sulfate to sulfide, a process known as sulfate reduction.

Taxonomy[edit | edit source]

The genus Desulfosporosinus was first described in 1997 by Stackebrandt et al. It was previously known as Desulfitobacterium, but was reclassified due to differences in physiology and 16S rRNA gene sequences. The genus currently includes seven species: D. acidiphilus, D. auripigmenti, D. meridiei, D. orientis, D. lacus, D. youngiae, and D. hippei.

Physiology[edit | edit source]

Desulfosporosinus species are anaerobic bacteria that can reduce sulfate to sulfide. This process is part of the sulfur cycle, an important biogeochemical cycle. The bacteria can use a variety of organic compounds as electron donors, including lactate, pyruvate, and various fatty acids. Some species can also use hydrogen as an electron donor.

Ecology[edit | edit source]

Desulfosporosinus species are found in a variety of environments, including soil, freshwater, and marine sediments. They play an important role in the sulfur cycle by reducing sulfate to sulfide. This process can influence the availability of nutrients and the cycling of other elements, such as carbon and nitrogen.

Medical relevance[edit | edit source]

While Desulfosporosinus species are not typically associated with human disease, they are part of the human gut microbiota. Changes in the abundance of these bacteria have been linked to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. However, more research is needed to understand the role of these bacteria in human health and disease.