Siderophore production and utilization byRhizobium trifolii

Summary Several strains ofRhizobium trifolii were tested for their ability to synthesize and utilize phenolate or hydroxamate types of siderophores. None of the nodulating strains ofR. trifolii was able to produce detectable amounts of siderophores. Only the non-nodulating strainR. trifolii AR6 formed a phenolate siderophore, which stimulated the growth of the siderophore-negative mutant AR65. Other strains ofR. trifolii could not utilize iron from exogenously supplied Desferal, pseudobactin or citrate. The siderophore fromR. trifolii AR6 and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid slightly stimulated the growth of someR. trifolii strains.     

Siderophore Production and Iron Reduction by Pseudomonas mendocina in Response to Iron Deprivation

In aerobic environments microorganisms are faced with a discrepancy of ~10 orders of magnitude between the available Fe (~10^-17M) and their metabolic requirement for it (~10^-7M). In contrast to facultative anaerobic environments, where dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria (DIRB) are often abundant, few studies have detailed microbial interactions with Fe(III) (hydr)oxides in aerobic environments. To better understand acquisition of Fe from Fe(III) (hydr)oxides, we investigated the production of siderophore and Fe(III) reduction by a strict aerobe in the presence of synthetic hematite as a source of Fe. Pseudomonas mendocina grew best when Fewas supplied as FeEDTA (~1.8x10⁸ colony-forming units [CFU] ml^-1), grew abundantly when Fe was supplied as hematite (~1.2x10⁸ CFU ml^-1), and grew poorly when Fe was withheld from the medium (~5.5x10⁷ CFU ml^-1). As expected, negligible siderophore was produced per cell when Fe was supplied as FeEDTA and more siderophore was produced in the hematite flasks than in the controls. Thus, growth of P. mendocina and the production of siderophore in the presence of hematite present compelling evidence that siderophore was produced as a mechanism to acquire Fe from hematite. For the Fe reduction experiments, Fe reduction by components of the supernatant fluid was induced weakly when Fe was supplied as hematite or as FeEDTA, but much more when the cells were cultured under extreme Fe deprivation. In fact, 16 times as much Fe reduction occurred in the controls as in the presence of either of the FeEDTA or hematite amendments. Our results, which contravene the long-held assumptions that Fe acquisition was facilitated solely by siderophores, provides a new perspective regarding microbial interactions with Fe bearing minerals.     

Cation-exchange capacity of algae and cyanobacteria: A parameter of their metal sorption abilities

Summary The potential metal sorption abilities of algae and cyanobacteria were estimated as cation-exchange capacities, using a potentiometric titration method. Unicellular cyanobacteriaAnacystis nidulans, Synechocystis aquatilis, and the green microalgaStichococcus bacillaris revealed a higher maximal capacity (205–825 eq g^–1 dry wt) than filamentous macroalgaVaucheria sp. (Xanthophyceae, 41 eq g^–1 dry wt). The cation-exchange capacity decreased when external pH decreased. Different ion-exchange properties of cell surfaces of cyanobacteria and algae were observed.     

Siderophore production by the magnetic bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1

Siderophore production by the magnetic bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 is elicited by sufficient iron rather than by iron starvation. In order to clarify this unusual pattern, siderophore production was monitored in parallel to iron assimilation using the chrome azurol sulfonate assay and the ferrozine method respectively. Iron concentration lowered approximately five times less than its initial concentration only within 4 h post-inoculation, rendering the medium iron deficient. A concentration of at least 6 microM Fe(3+) is required to initiate siderophore production. The propensity of M. magneticum AMB-1 for the assimilation of large amounts of iron accounts for the rapid depletion of iron in the medium, thereby triggering siderophore excretion. M. magneticum AMB-1 produces both hydroxamate and catechol siderophores.     

Siderophore and organic acid production in root nodule bacteria

Nineteen strains of root nodule bacteria were grown under various iron regimes (0.1, 1.0 and 20 M added iron) and tested for catechol and hydroxamate siderophore production and the excretion of malate and citrate. The growth response of the strains to iron differed markedly. For 12 strains (Bradyrhizobium strains NC92B and 32H1, B. japonicum USDA110 and CB1809, B. lupini WU8, cowpea Rhizobium NGR234, Rhizobium meliloti strains U45 and CC169, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv viciae WU235 and Rhizobium leguminosarum bv trifolii strains TA1, T1 and WU95) the mean generation time showed no variation with the 200-fold increase in iron concentration. In contrast, in Bradyrhizobium strains NC921, CB756 and TAL1000, B. japonicum strain 61A76 and R. leguminosarum bv viciae MNF300 there was a 2–5 fold decrease in growth rate at low iron. R. meliloti strains WSM419 and WSM540 showed decreased growth at high iron.All strains of root nodule bacteria tested gave a positive CAS (chrome azurol S) assay for siderophore production. No catechol-type siderophores were found in any strain, and only R. leguminosarum bv trifolii T1 and bv viciae WU235 produced hydroxamate under low iron (0.1 and 1.0 M added iron).Malate was excreted by all strains grown under all iron regimes. Citrate was excreted by B. japonicum USDA110 and B. lupini WU8 in all iron concentrations, while Bradyrhizobium TAL1000, R. leguminosarum bv viciae MNF300 and B. japonicum 61A76 only produced citrate under low iron (0.1 and/or 1.0 M added iron) during the stationary phase of growth.Abbreviations CAS chrome azurol S - HDTMA hexadecyltrime-thylammonium bromide     

溶藻弧菌铁载体合成及外膜蛋白表达的研究

初步研究了海洋动物病原菌溶藻弧菌的铁摄取机制。溶藻弧菌能够在高浓度铁螯合剂2-2二联吡啶的培养基中存活。在限铁环境中,溶藻弧菌生长受到抑制,补加铁可以消除这种抑制作用。通过铁载体定量检测,发现分离于发病鱼体的溶藻弧菌MVP01产铁载体量大于分离于海水的菌株No·1·1587。互补实验证明溶藻弧菌的铁载体粗提物能够被铁载体合成缺陷的大肠杆菌突变株AN93利用。在铁限制培养环境中,溶藻弧菌合成了约80kD铁调控外膜蛋白。铁摄取系统在溶藻弧菌的生存和致病性方面,都有重要的作用。     

Siderophore production by Salmonella species isolated from different sources

A total of 230 Salmonella strains were screened for enterobactin and aerobactin production, sensitivity to bacteriocins and resistance to antibiotics. All the isolates produced the phenolate siderophore enterobactin. Amongst these, 74 strains, most belonging to S. enteritidis, were sensitive to colicin B. Only 26 isolates, all belonging to S. wien, produced an additional iron chelator, i.e. the siderophore aerobactin, and 22 out of these were sensitive to cloacin DF13. Analysis of iron repressible outer membrane proteins and plasmid profiles in S. wien strains showed that the expression of a 74-kDa iron-repressible outer membrane protein and the presence of large plasmids were associated with multiple antibiotic resistance, aerobactin production and sensitivity to cloacin DF13. The incidence of aerobactin-producing strains among S. wien isolates was higher during years 1974-1985; the epidemiological implications of these results are discussed.     

Effect of temperature on phosphorus sorption to sediments from shallow eutrophic lakes

The availability of phosphorus (P) in lakes is dependent on the sorption characteristics of the underlying sediments. Temperature is a crucial factor affecting the P sorption in sediments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature on sorption of P by sediments from two eutrophic lakes. The study was carried out using short-term batch experiments at 4, 20 and 30 °C. Phosphorus sorption kinetics, isotherms, fractionation and desorption were investigated. The P sorption was dependent on sediment type and temperature (p < 0.001). The Mei sediments showed a higher sorption rate and sorption capacity than Hua sediments. The P sorption kinetics were best described by a pseudo second order model (R² > 0.97). Activation energies derived from the kinetics rate constant indicated that P sorption onto the two sediments was controlled by a diffusion process. For both sediments, Freundlich model fit the P sorption isotherms well and the calculated apparent sorption heat was 6.37 kJ mol⁻¹ for Mei sediments and 8.67 kJ mol⁻¹ for Hua sediments. This indicated that P sorption onto both sediments was endothermic. Adding P significantly increased the soluble and loosely bound P (S/L-P), aluminum-bound P (Al-P) and iron-bound P (Fe-P) (p < 0.05). The amount of Al-P and Fe-P was markedly higher at 30 °C than at 4 °C (p < 0.05). Subsequent P desorption indicated that adsorbed P was highly labile, in particular for Hua sediment. The degree of P mobility that occurred during sediment sorption was inversely related to the temperature at the time of sorption. A significant relationship (R² = 0.978) between phosphorus sorption maximum and oxalate-extractable Fe and Al at different temperatures reflects that the amorphous contents of Fe and Al are responsible for the temperature effect on P sorption.     

Siderophore mediated plant growth promotion at low temperature by mutant of fluorescent pseudomonad⋆

A cold resistant mutant of Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525 was developed, which could grow equally well at 25 and 10 °C and its effect on plant growth promotion under in vitro and in situ conditions was observed. Siderophore estimation revealed it to be a siderophore-overproducing mutant (17-fold increase) when compared to its wild type counterpart. A gnotobiotic root elongation assay indicated that the mutant (CRPF₉) promoted growth more than its wild type both at 25 and 10 °C, indicating its effectiveness at low temperature. Further, root colonization studies showed that CRPF₉ was an efficient rhizosphere colonizer, inducing a significant increase in root (35%) and shoot length (28%) of mung bean plants in unsterilized soil system. The persistence and stability of the mutant was evident in rhizospheric soil. A sand culture experiment showed that ferric citrate was better than Fe(OH)₃ as an iron source for plant growth, but in the presence of CRPF₉ both salts were comparable. This study demonstrates the potential of chemical mutagenesis for improving the plant growth promoting properties of a P. fluorescens strain and its stimulating impact on plant growth promotion at low temperature both under in vitro and in situ conditions.     

Coupled biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese as mediated by microbial siderophores

Siderophores, biogenic chelating agents that facilitate Fe(III) uptake through the formation of strong complexes, also form strong complexes with Mn(III) and exhibit high reactivity with Mn (hydr)oxides, suggesting a pathway by which Mn may disrupt Fe uptake. In this review, we evaluate the major biogeochemical mechanisms by which Fe and Mn may interact through reactions with microbial siderophores: competition for a limited pool of siderophores, sorption of siderophores and metal–siderophore complexes to mineral surfaces, and competitive metal-siderophore complex formation through parallel mineral dissolution pathways. This rich interweaving of chemical processes gives rise to an intricate tapestry of interactions, particularly in respect to the biogeochemical cycling of Fe and Mn in marine ecosystems.     

Metal-ion environment in solid Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) hyaluronates

Amorphous powders and films of some metal hyaluronate complexes of general composition (C14H20O11N)2 x xH2O (M = Mn2+, Ni2+ and Co2+) have been prepared at pH 5.5-6.0. The coordination geometry around the metal ions has been analyzed by EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure) and FTIR spectroscopy. Mn2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ ions are coordinated to carboxylate oxygen atoms and water molecules. The process of local geometry formation round the metal ions is sensitive to sample preparation.     

Comparative evaluation for the sorption capacity of four carbonaceous sorbents to phenol

Sorption kinetics and isotherms of phenol by four carbonaceous sorbents (activated carbon (AC), mesoporous carbon (MPC), bamboo biochar (BBC) and oak wood biochar (OBC)) were compared in this study. MPC has the fastest sorption rate and initial sorption potential, which were indicated by sorption rate constants and initial sorption rate “h” in a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The ordered and straight pore structure of MPC facilitated the accessibility of phenol. The AC showed the greatest sorption capacity towards phenol with maximum sorption of 123 mg/g as calculated by the Langmuir model. High surface area, complexity of pore structure, and the strong binding force of the π–π electron-donor-acceptor interaction between phenol molecules and AC were the main mechanisms. The BBC and OBC had much slower sorption and lower sorption capacity (33.04 and 29.86 mg/g, respectively), compared to MPC (73.00 mg/g) and AC, indicating an ineffective potential for phenol removal from water.     

Decomposition and sorption characterization of plant cuticles in soil

The sorption of organic compounds by plant cuticular matter has been extensively investigated; however, little has been studied regarding the effect of plant cuticle degradation on their role in the sorption of organic compounds in soils. The sorption of phenanthrene was studied in soil samples which had been incubated for up to 9 months with three different types of plant cuticle isolated from tomato fruits, pepper fruits and citrus leaves. The main change in the diffuse reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (DRIFT) spectra during incubation of the cuticles was related to cutin decomposition. The peaks assigned to methyl and ethyl vibration and C=O vibration in ester links decreased with decomposition. In general, with all samples, the phenanthrene sorption coefficients calculated for the whole incubated soils (K _d) decreased with incubation time. In contrast, the carbon-normalized K _d values (K _oc) did not exhibit a similar trend for the different cuticles during incubation. The origin of the cuticle also affected the linearity of the sorption isotherms. With the tomato and citrus cuticle samples, the Freundlich N values were close to unity and were stable throughout incubation. However with the green pepper cuticle, the N values exhibited a significant decrease (from 0.98 to 0.70). This study demonstrates that the structural composition of the plant cuticle affects its biodegradability and therefore its ability to sorb organic compounds in soils. Of the residues originating from plant cuticular matter in soils, the cutan biopolymer and lignin-derived structures appear to play a dominant role in sorption as decomposition progresses. Responsible Editor: Alfonso Escudero.     

Removal of perfluorooctane sulfonate from aqueous solution by crosslinked chitosan beads: sorption kinetics and uptake mechanism

The crosslinked chitosan beads were used as an efficient biosorbent to remove perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) from aqueous solution. The chitosan biosorbent had a sorption capacity up to 5.5 mmol/g for PFOS at the equilibrium concentration of 0.33 mmol/L, much higher than some conventional adsorbents. The sorption kinetics indicated that the sorption equilibrium was reached quickly at high pH and low PFOS concentrations, and the adsorbent size also affected the sorption rate to some extent. The double-exponential model described the kinetic data well, and the sorption of PFOS on the chitosan beads was a diffusion-controlled process. Based on the sorption kinetics and adsorbent characterization, the uptake mechanisms including electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions were identified to be responsible for PFOS sorption, and the hemi-micelles and micelles may form in the porous structure due to high PFOS concentrations within the adsorbent, which had the main contribution to the high sorption capacity.     

Uranium sorption onto natural sediments within a small stream in central Japan

In this study, we surveyed the uranium (U) load in stream water within a humid forest in Japan, and clarified the fact that changes in U load depended on the amount of sediment accumulated behind dams constructed along the stream. To elucidate the relationship between U and the accumulated sediments, we conducted U sorption experiments in the laboratory using stream water and sampled sediments. The chemistry of the stream water was analyzed in the field for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature, as well as laboratory analyses via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We determined the amount of organic material, amorphous material, and total U contents in the sediments. Following the sorption experiments, we analyzed the pH and U concentrations in experimental solutions and determined the distribution coefficients of U for the sediments. The logarithm value of the distribution coefficients of U for amorphous material shows a positive correlation with pH, while the logarithm value of the distribution coefficients of U for organic material is independent of pH (4.7–6.9). Although the logarithm value of the distribution coefficient of U for amorphous material was 0.1–0.5 units larger than the value for organic material, U was effectively removed from the stream water by sorption onto organic material (humic substances and decomposing leaves), because the amount of organic material exceeded that of amorphous material.     

Modeling of water sorption isotherms of chitosan blends

The blends obtained on the basis of biodegradable chitosan were investigated taking into consideration possible miscibility of their components due to the presence of hydrogen bonds leading to formation of complexes. However, the components of chitosan blends with hydroxypropyl cellulose, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(vinyl alcohol) and starch show good miscibility only on a domain scale of micron or less size.The Authors proposed the formula which considers the dependence of moisture content on the weight fraction of the blend components and taking into account the observed lack of additivity resulting from the presence of some molecular interactions (the parameter ð) of functional groups in the presence of water.Modelling of water sorption isotherms of polymer blends using the parameter ð leads to good correlations with the experimental results simultaneously indicating that the greatest deviation from the moisture additivity occurs in case of high water activity (water humidity).     

核素迁移的二维非平衡吸附数值模式研究

为了进一步研究核素在孔隙介质中的迁移规律,本文将水动力弥散方程与核素在孔隙介质中非平衡吸附关系式相耦合,建立了非平衡吸附数值模式,并给出了非平衡吸附数值模式中吸附解吸速率参数的获取方法．为了检验所建模式与编制的程序的正确性,利用试验场（８５）Ｓｒ迁移的野外试验资料进行了计算,并与核素迁移平衡吸附数值模式的计算结果进行了对比．结果表明,二维非平衡吸附核素迁移数值模式能够更好地描述核素迁移实际．     

Phosphatidylserine is involved in the ferrichrome-induced plasma membrane trafficking of Arn1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Arn1 is an integral membrane protein that mediates the uptake of ferrichrome, an important nutritional source of iron, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the absence of ferrichrome, Arn1p is sorted directly from the trans-Golgi network to the vacuolar lumen for degradation. In the presence of low levels of ferrichrome, the siderophore binds to a receptor domain on Arn1, triggering the redistribution of Arn1 to the plasma membrane. When extracellular ferrichrome levels are high, Arn1 cycles between the plasma membrane and intracellular vesicles. To further understand the mechanisms of trafficking of Arn1p, we screened 4580 viable yeast deletion mutants for mislocalization of Arn1-GFP using synthetic genetic array technology. We identified over 100 genes required for trans-Golgi network-to-vacuole trafficking of Arn1-GFP and only two genes, SER1 and SER2, required for the ferrichrome-induced plasma membrane trafficking of Arn1-GFP. SER1 and SER2 encode two enzymes of the major serine biosynthetic pathway, and the Arn1 trafficking defect in the ser1Δ strain was corrected with supplemental serine or glycine. Plasma membrane trafficking of Hxt3, a structurally related glucose transporter, was unaffected by SER1 deletion. Serine is required for the synthesis of multiple cellular components, including purines, sphingolipids, and phospholipids, but of these only phosphatidylserine corrected the Arn1 trafficking defects of the ser1Δ strain. Strains with defects in phospholipid synthesis also exhibited alterations in Arn1p trafficking, indicating that the intracellular trafficking of some transporters is dependent on the phospholipid composition of the cellular membranes.     

Equilibrium sorption isotherm for metal ions on tree fern

A new sorbent system for removing heavy metal ions, such as Zn(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II), from aqueous solutions has been investigated. This new sorbent is tree fern, an agriculture product. Variables of the system include solution temperature and sorbent particle size. The experimental results were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich–Peterson isotherms to obtain the characteristic parameters of each model. Both the Langmuir and Redlich–Peterson isotherms were found to well represent the measured sorption data. According to the evaluation using the Langmuir equation, the maximum sorption capacities of metal ions onto tree fern were 7.58 mg/g for Zn(II), 10.6 mg/g for Cu(II) and 39.8 mg/g for Pb(II). It was noted that an increase in temperature resulted in a higher metal loading per unit weight of the sorbent. Decreasing the particle sizes of tree fern led in an increase in the metal uptake per unit weight of the sorbent.