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Effects of biocides on gene expression in the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough

  • Applied Microbial and Cell Physiology
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Abstract

Although sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), such as Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough (DvH) are often eradicated in oil and gas operations with biocides, such as glutaraldehyde (Glut), tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium sulfate (THPS), and benzalkonium chloride (BAC), their response to these agents is not well known. Whole genome microarrays of D. vulgaris treated with biocides well below the minimum inhibitory concentration showed that 256, 96, and 198 genes were responsive to Glut, THPS, and BAC, respectively, and that these three commonly used biocides affect the physiology of the cell quite differently. Glut induces expression of genes required to degrade or refold proteins inactivated by either chemical modification or heat shock, whereas BAC appears to target ribosomal structure. THPS appears to primarily affect energy metabolism of SRB. Mutants constructed for genes strongly up-regulated by Glut, were killed by Glut to a similar degree as the wild type. Hence, it is difficult to achieve increased sensitivity to this biocide by single gene mutations, because Glut affects so many targets. Our results increase understanding of the biocide's mode of action, allowing a more intelligent combination of mechanistically different agents. This can reduce stress on budgets for chemicals and on the environment.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a Strategic Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) with financial support from The Dow Chemical Company, as well as by an NSERC Industrial Research Chair Award to GV, which was also supported by Baker Hughes Incorporated, Commercial Microbiology Limited (Intertek), the Computer Modelling Group Limited, ConocoPhillips Company, YPF SA, Aramco Services, Shell Canada Limited, Suncor Energy Developments Inc., and Yara International ASA, as well as by the Alberta Energy Research Institute. We would like to thank Drs. Steve Najmy and Michael Enzien from The Dow Chemical Company for their interest, comments and useful suggestions.

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  1. Petroleum Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada

    Meng-Hsin Phoebe Lee, Sean M. Caffrey, Johanna K. Voordouw & Gerrit Voordouw

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  1. Meng-Hsin Phoebe Lee
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  2. Sean M. Caffrey
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  3. Johanna K. Voordouw
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  4. Gerrit Voordouw
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Correspondence to Gerrit Voordouw.

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Lee, MH.P., Caffrey, S.M., Voordouw, J.K. et al. Effects of biocides on gene expression in the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 87, 1109–1118 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-2596-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-2596-1

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