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The copper responding surfaceome of Methylococccus capsulatus Bath
Odd A Karlsen1, Oivind Larsen, Harald B Jensen
1Department of Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Norway. odd.karlsen@mbi.uib.no
FEMS Microbiology Letters
|November 19, 2011
Summary
The surfaceome of the model methanotroph, Methylococcus capsulatus Bath, changes with copper availability. Multi-heme c-type cytochromes are key surface proteins, potentially aiding adaptation to environmental challenges.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- The surfaceome of bacteria mediates interactions with their environment.
- Methylococcus capsulatus Bath is a model organism for studying methane oxidation.
- Bacterial surface protein composition is crucial for adaptation to habitats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the composition of the M. capsulatus Bath surfaceome.
- To understand the impact of copper availability on the surfaceome.
- To explore the function of abundant multi-heme c-type cytochromes.
Main Methods:
- Proteomic analysis of M. capsulatus Bath surface proteins.
- Investigation of surfaceome changes under varying copper concentrations (sub-μM range).
- Comparative analysis with other bacterial surfaceome compositions.
Main Results:
- The M. capsulatus Bath surfaceome composition varies significantly with subtle changes in copper availability.
- Copper acquisition protein MopE and c-type heme proteins are responsive to copper levels.
- Multi-heme c-type cytochromes are unexpectedly abundant on the bacterial surface.
Conclusions:
- The M. capsulatus Bath surfaceome, particularly multi-heme c-type cytochromes, plays a role in adapting to environmental changes.
- The function of these surface cytochromes in methane oxidation, metabolism, or electron transport requires further investigation.
- The presence of these proteins suggests unique adaptations in M. capsulatus Bath compared to typical bacteria.
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