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Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Siderophore Production from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
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FpvB, an alternative type I ferripyoverdine receptor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Bart Ghysels1, Bui Thi Min Dieu1, Scott A Beatson2

  • 1Flanders Interuniversity Institute of Biotechnology (VIB6), Laboratory of Microbial Interactions, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Building E, room 6·6, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.

Microbiology (Reading, England)
|June 9, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses pyoverdine to uptake iron. A new gene, fpvB, was discovered, revealing an alternative pathway for iron uptake in this bacterium.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Physiology
  • Iron Metabolism

Background:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa utilizes pyoverdine, a high-affinity siderophore, to acquire iron (Fe(III)) under iron-limiting conditions.
  • Iron uptake is primarily mediated by the outer-membrane receptor FpvA (ferripyoverdine receptor), with distinct siderovars (type I-III) and cognate FpvA receptors.
  • An fpvA mutant of P. aeruginosa PAO1 (type I) still showed growth stimulation by its cognate pyoverdine, indicating an alternative iron uptake route.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the alternative uptake route for type I ferripyoverdine in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  • To characterize the function and regulation of the putative alternative iron uptake system.

Main Methods:

  • In silico analysis of the PAO1 genome to identify potential FpvA homologs.
  • Gene inactivation (mutagenesis) of the identified gene (PA4168, termed fpvB) in an fpvA mutant background.
  • Analysis of fpvB gene expression under various iron-limiting conditions.
  • Detection of fpvB homologues in other P. aeruginosa strains (type II and III).
  • Complementation studies by introducing fpvB in trans.

Main Results:

  • In silico analysis revealed gene PA4168 (fpvB) with high similarity to FpvA.
  • Inactivation of fpvB in an fpvA mutant completely abolished type I ferripyoverdine utilization.
  • FpvB expression is induced by iron limitation in CAA and M9-glucose media but not in a complex deferrated medium with glycerol.
  • fpvB homologues were found in type II and III P. aeruginosa strains, and their inactivation impaired type I ferripyoverdine utilization.
  • Introduction of fpvB in trans restored the ability to utilize type I ferripyoverdine.

Conclusions:

  • FpvB represents a novel outer-membrane receptor involved in the uptake of type I ferripyoverdine in P. aeruginosa.
  • FpvB provides an alternative pathway for iron acquisition, complementing the FpvA-mediated system.
  • The expression of fpvB is regulated by iron availability and growth medium composition.
  • The fpvB gene is conserved across different P. aeruginosa siderovars, suggesting a broader role in iron acquisition for the species.

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