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Assaying for Inorganic Polyphosphate in Bacteria
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Polyphosphate Dynamics in Cable Bacteria.

Nicole M J Geerlings1, Michiel V M Kienhuis1, Silvia Hidalgo-Martinez2,3

  • 1Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|June 6, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Cable bacteria utilize polyphosphate (poly-P) for various metabolic functions, not directly for growth. Poly-P metabolism is linked to redox conditions, potentially protecting cells from oxidative stress or aiding motility in oxic zones.

Keywords:
cable bacteriacell cyclenanoSIMSpolyphosphatestable isotope probing

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Cable bacteria are multicellular, sulfide-oxidizing microorganisms.
  • They exhibit unique long-distance electron transport via a conductive fiber network.
  • Cells in different redox zones perform distinct half-reactions, with only sulfide oxidation linked to growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of polyphosphate (poly-P) in cable bacteria metabolism.
  • To understand the relationship between poly-P activity, growth, and redox environments.
  • To differentiate poly-P functions in oxic versus suboxic sediment zones.

Main Methods:

  • Combined nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (nanoSIMS) with dual-stable isotope probing (13C-DIC and 18O-H2O).
  • Visualized cytoplasmic growth (13C enrichment) and poly-P activity (18O enrichment).
  • Analyzed poly-P synthesis and turnover in relation to cell location within redox gradients.

Main Results:

  • Polyphosphate (poly-P) was synthesized in nearly all cable bacteria cells, indicated by 18O enrichment.
  • Poly-P metabolism showed significant 18O enrichment in the suboxic zone compared to the oxic zone.
  • Poly-P activity was observed in non-growing cells, decoupling it from direct biosynthesis.

Conclusions:

  • Polyphosphate (poly-P) plays a crucial, but growth-independent, role in cable bacteria metabolism.
  • Poly-P metabolism is correlated with the redox environment.
  • Hypothesized roles for poly-P include oxidative stress protection and motility support in oxic zones, and metabolic regulation in suboxic zones.