RRC ID 1729
Author Barreto M, Jedlicki E, Holmes DS.
Title Identification of a gene cluster for the formation of extracellular polysaccharide precursors in the chemolithoautotroph Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.
Journal Appl Environ Microbiol
Abstract A cluster of five genes, proposed to be involved in the formation of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) precursors via the Leloir pathway, have been identified in the acidophilic autotroph Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The order of the genes is luxA-galE-galK-pgm-galM, encoding a LuxA-like protein, UDP-glucose 4-epimerase, galactokinase, phosphoglucomutase, and galactose mutarotase, respectively. The gal cluster forms a single transcriptional unit and is therefore an operon. Two other putative genes of the Leloir pathway, galU, potentially encoding UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, and a gene designated galT-like, which may encode a galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase-like activity, were found unlinked in the genome. Using semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR, the genes of the gal operon were shown to be expressed more during growth in iron medium than in growth in sulfur medium. The functions of galE, pgm, galU, and the galT-like gene were validated by complementation of Escherichia coli mutants and by in vitro enzyme assays. The data suggest that A. ferrooxidans is capable of synthesizing the EPS precursors UDP-glucose and UDP-galactose. In addition, genes rfbA, -B, -C, and -D were identified in the genome of A. ferrooxidans, suggesting that it can also synthesize the EPS precursor dTDP-rhamnose. Since EPSs constitute the major bulk of biofilms, this study may provide an initial model for the metabolic pathways involved in biofilm formation in A. ferrooxidans and aid in understanding the role of biofilms in mineral leaching and the formation of acid mine drainage.
Volume 71(6)
Pages 2902-9
Published 2005-6-1
DOI 10.1128/AEM.71.6.2902-2909.2005
PII 71/6/2902
PMID 15932984
PMC PMC1151869
MeSH Acidithiobacillus / enzymology Acidithiobacillus / genetics Acidithiobacillus / growth & development Acidithiobacillus / metabolism* Bacterial Proteins / genetics Bacterial Proteins / metabolism* Carbohydrate Epimerases / genetics Carbohydrate Epimerases / metabolism Galactokinase / genetics Galactokinase / metabolism Molecular Sequence Data Multigene Family* Phosphoglucomutase / genetics Phosphoglucomutase / metabolism Polysaccharides, Bacterial / biosynthesis* Sequence Analysis, DNA UDPglucose 4-Epimerase / genetics UDPglucose 4-Epimerase / metabolism Uridine Diphosphate Galactose / biosynthesis* Uridine Diphosphate Glucose / biosynthesis*
IF 4.016
Times Cited 75
WOS Category BIOTECHNOLOGY & APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY MICROBIOLOGY
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INFORMATION E.coli