The ins and outs of metal homeostasis by the root nodule actinobacterium Frankia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Frankia are actinobacteria that form a symbiotic nitrogen-fixing association with actinorhizal plants, and play a significant role in actinorhizal plant colonization of metal contaminated areas. Many Frankia strains are known to be resistant to several toxic metals and metalloids including Pb(2+), Al(+3), SeO2, Cu(2+), AsO4, and Zn(2+). With the availability of eight Frankia genome databases, comparative genomics approaches employing phylogeny, amino acid composition analysis, and synteny were used to identify metal homeostasis mechanisms in eight Frankia strains. Characterized genes from the literature and a meta-analysis of 18 heavy metal gene microarray studies were used for comparison.

Results

Unlike most bacteria, Frankia utilize all of the essential trace el

SUBMITTER: Furnholm TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4531530 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature