Monoalkylether phospholipids in the sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfosarcina variabilis and Desulforhabdus amnigenus

In this study, cellular lipid compositions of two mesophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). In Desulfosarcina variabilis and Desulforhabdus amnigenus, alkylether-containing phospholipids were detected which had previously only been found in significant amounts in deeply branching hyperthermophilic bacteria and archaea. Combining information from HPLC-MS analysis and chemical degradation experiments, ether lipids were identified as 1-alkyl-2-acyl-phosphatidyl ethanolamines, glycerols and cholines. In Desulforhabdus amnigenus, n-penta-, n-hexa- and n-heptadecyl ethers were present (in order of decreasing abundance), whereas Desulfosarcina variabilis solely contained n-hexadecyl ether side chains.     

Quantification of biomineralization: an in-vitro tissue culture system and microanalysis of calcium, phosphorus and trace elements by total-reflection X-ray fluorescence

An in-vitro tissue culture system with folded periostea of 17-day-old fetal chick calvaria was combined with analytical methods to achieve quantification of biomineralization. A scanning electron microscope with an energy-dispersive X-ray detector was applied to show the distribution of calcium, phosphorus and trace elements. Calcium and phosphorus were concentrated in the zone of the mineralized matrix. Strontium was distributed similar to calcium. Zinc was distributed equally in the soft tissue and the mineralized matrix. Total-reflection X-ray fluorescence was used for quantification. Thyroxine in high concentration reduces the calcium content of the samples. One week after incubation magnesiumchloride (1.8 mM) or zincchloride (.1 mM) were found to reduce the calcium content by 38% or 82%, respectively.