Amino group in Leptothrix sheath skeleton is responsible for direct deposition of Fe(III) minerals onto the sheaths.

ABSTRACT: Leptothrix species produce microtubular organic-inorganic materials that encase the bacterial cells. The skeleton of an immature sheath, consisting of organic exopolymer fibrils of bacterial origin, is formed first, then the sheath becomes encrusted with inorganic material. Functional carboxyl groups of polysaccharides in these fibrils are considered to attract and bind metal cations, including Fe(III) and Fe(III)-mineral phases onto the fibrils, but the detailed mechanism remains elusive. Here we show that NH₂ of the amino-sugar-enriched exopolymer fibrils is involved in interactions with abiotically generated Fe(III) minerals. NH₂-specific staining of L. cholodnii OUMS1 detected a terminal NH₂ on its sheath skeleton. Masking NH₂ with specific r

SUBMITTER: Kunoh T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5529543 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature