Chrysiogenetes

Chrysiogenes

Chrysiogenes arsenatis

Chrysiogenes arsenatis is a species of bacterium given its own phylum, called the Chrysiogenetes. It has a unique lifestyle and biochemistry. Instead of respiring with oxygen, it respires using the most oxidized form of arsenic, arsenate. It uses arsenate as its terminal electron acceptor. It oxidizes acetate to carbon dioxide and reduces arsenate to arsenite.Arsenic is usually toxic to life. Bacteria like Chrysiogenes arsenatis are found in anoxic arsenic-contaminated environments.
So far only one species has been studied.It is a chemolithoautotroph.Chrysiogenetes is found in environments rich in arsenite, such as arsenic-contaminated sediments or in gold mines.
It is Gram-negative and strictly anaerobic.