Mechanisms of extracellular S0 globule production and degradation in Chlorobaculumtepidum via dynamic cell-globule interactions.

ABSTRACT: The Chlorobiales are anoxygenic phototrophs that produce solid, extracellular elemental sulfur globules as an intermediate step in the oxidation of sulfide to sulfate. These organisms must export sulfur while preventing cell encrustation during S0 globule formation; during globule degradation they must find and mobilize the sulfur for intracellular oxidation to sulfate. To understand how the Chlorobiales address these challenges, we characterized the spatial relationships and physical dynamics of Chlorobaculum tepidum cells and S0 globules by light and electron microscopy. Cba. tepidum commonly formed globules at a distance from cells. Soluble polysulfides detected during globule production may allow for remote nucleation of globules. Polysulfides were also detected during globule degradat

SUBMITTER: Marnocha CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5772824 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature