Production of novel proteins by Bacteroides ureolyticus grown under conditions of reduced iron availability

Protein profiles of whole cells of Bacteriodes ureolyticus grown in the presence or absence of the iron chelator desferrioxamine mesylate (Desferal) were compared. Each of four strains produced novel proteins of molecular weights 19, 25 and 41 kilodaltons (kDa) under conditions of reduced iron availability. Novel proteins of molecular weights 32, 52 and 58 kDa were also detected although there was interstrain variation in their expression. Outer membranes from three of the strains grown on iron-depleted medium also contained novel proteins with molecular weights of approximately 25, 41 and 52 kDa. When organisms were grown on medium containing Desferal saturated with excess iron, the novel proteins were not detected indicating that their expression was regulated by the level of available iron in the medium.