Periplasmic superoxide dismutases in Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum

Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum MS-1 cells cultured microaerobically (dissolved O2 tension 1% of saturation), expressed proteins with superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The majority (roughly 95%) of total cell superoxide dismutase activity was located in the cell periplasm with little or no activity in the cell cytoplasm. Iron-type SOD (FeSOD) contributed 88% of the total activity activity detected, although a manganese-type SOD (MnSOD) was present in the periplasm as well. Cells cultured at a higher dissolved O2 tension (10% of saturation) expressed increased activity of the MnSOD relative to that of the FeSOD.