Abstract

Nickel is a biologically active trace metal important to mammalian health, as are numerous obligately anaerobic bacteria which inhabit the microintestinal environment. This study centers on further resolving (i) the biochemical/biological nature of nickel in acetogenic bacteria and (ii) the autotrophic metabolism of this biological group. Specifically, the biochemistry and physiological function of the nickel enzyme carbon monoxide dehydrogenase will be further resolved and acetogenic hydrogenase will be purified and characterized. The regulation and intracellular localization of autotrophic enzymes will be studied in effort to gain insights into their physiological roles. Antibodies (rabbit) against key catalysts may be used as specific probes to aid in this elucidation. 14C tracer and product profile analyses will be conducted to study whole cell carbon flow and energetics of autotrophic vs. heterotrophic growth. Additionally, studies on recently discovered nickel proteins will be initiated to ascertain their potential physiological functions. Defined minimal media developed for the cultivation of acetogenic bacteria will facilitate studies on acetogenic nickel transport and trace metal requirements. Since acetogens and most of their enzymes are extremely sensitive to oxidation, all cultivation, purification, and analytical procedures will be conducted under strict anaerobiosis.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Modified Research Career Development Award (K04)
Project #
5K04AI000722-04
Application #
3070796
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Project Start
1986-09-01
Project End
1991-08-31
Budget Start
1989-09-01
Budget End
1990-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Mississippi
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
University
State
MS
Country
United States
Zip Code
38677

  Publications

Zhang, Xiaoren; Wang, Hongshan; Claudio, Estefania et al. (2007) A role for the IkappaB family member Bcl-3 in the control of central immunologic tolerance. Immunity 27:438-52
Parekh, M; Drake, H L; Daniel, S L (1996) Bidirectional transformation of aromatic aldehydes by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans under nitrate-dissimilating conditions. Lett Appl Microbiol 22:115-20
Everall, I P; Glass, J D; McArthur, J et al. (1994) Neuronal density in the superior frontal and temporal gyri does not correlate with the degree of human immunodeficiency virus-associated dementia. Acta Neuropathol 88:538-44
Parekh, M; Keith, E S; Daniel, S L et al. (1992) Comparative evaluation of the metabolic potentials of different strains of Peptostreptococcus productus: utilization and transformation of aromatic compounds. FEMS Microbiol Lett 73:69-74
Lux, M F; Drake, H L (1992) Re-examination of the metabolic potentials of the acetogens Clostridium aceticum and Clostridium formicoaceticum: chemolithoautotrophic and aromatic-dependent growth. FEMS Microbiol Lett 74:49-56
Daniel, S L; Keith, E S; Yang, H et al. (1991) Utilization of methoxylated aromatic compounds by the acetogen Clostridium thermoaceticum: expression and specificity of the co-dependent O-demethylating activity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 180:416-22
Lux, M F; Keith, E; Hsu, T D et al. (1990) Biotransformations of aromatic aldehydes by acetogenic bacteria. FEMS Microbiol Lett 55:73-7
Hsu, T D; Lux, M F; Drake, H L (1990) Expression of an aromatic-dependent decarboxylase which provides growth-essential CO2 equivalents for the acetogenic (Wood) pathway of Clostridium thermoaceticum. J Bacteriol 172:5901-7
Hsu, T; Daniel, S L; Lux, M F et al. (1990) Biotransformations of carboxylated aromatic compounds by the acetogen Clostridium thermoaceticum: generation of growth-supportive CO2 equivalents under CO2-limited conditions. J Bacteriol 172:212-7
Daniel, S L; Hsu, T; Dean, S I et al. (1990) Characterization of the H2- and CO-dependent chemolithotrophic potentials of the acetogens Clostridium thermoaceticum and Acetogenium kivui. J Bacteriol 172:4464-71

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