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Published on: July 24, 2016
Acquisition of iron by alkaliphilic bacillus species
Duncan G G McMillan1, Imelda Velasquez, Brook L Nunn
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Abstract:
The biochemical and molecular mechanisms used by alkaliphilic bacteria to acquire iron are unknown. We demonstrate that alkaliphilic (pH > 9) Bacillus species are sensitive to artificial iron (Fe³+) chelators and produce iron-chelating molecules. These alkaliphilic siderophores contain catechol and hydroxamate moieties, and their synthesis is stimulated by manganese(II) salts and suppressed by FeCl₃ addition. Purification and mass spectrometric characterization of the siderophore produced by Caldalkalibacillus thermarum failed to identify any matches to previously observed fragmentation spectra of known siderophores, suggesting a novel structure.
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