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Superoxide dismutase in anaerobes: survey
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|May 1, 1978
Summary
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is common in Bacteroides bacteria but varies widely among anaerobic bacteria genera and species. SOD levels did not correlate with isolate source or pathogenicity.
Area of Science:
- Anaerobic microbiology
- Enzymology
- Bacterial physiology
Background:
- Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a crucial enzyme for protecting cells against oxidative stress.
- Understanding SOD distribution in anaerobic bacteria is important for their classification and understanding their ecological roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and distribution of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in various genera of anaerobic bacteria.
- To explore potential correlations between SOD levels, bacterial source, and pathogenicity.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme assays were performed to detect and quantify superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity.
- Bacterial strains from the genera Bacteroides, Clostridia, and other anaerobic groups were tested.
Main Results:
- Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was detected in 23 out of 28 strains of the genus Bacteroides.
- SOD was found, but at lower frequencies, in several clostridia, anaerobic cocci, and anaerobic gram-positive, nonsporing rods.
- Significant variation in SOD levels was observed between different anaerobic bacterial genera and species.
- No correlation was found between the source of the bacterial isolate, SOD levels, and presumed pathogenicity.
Conclusions:
- The genus Bacteroides exhibits a high prevalence of superoxide dismutase (SOD).
- There is substantial diversity in SOD occurrence and levels across different anaerobic bacterial groups.
- SOD presence in anaerobic bacteria is not directly linked to their isolation source or potential pathogenicity.