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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Urbana, Illinois » Global Change and Photosynthesis Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #249517
Title: Electron Transport Interplay Between Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans and Pseudomonas stutzeri Reveals A Metabolic Symbiosis Involving Halorespiration Under Anaerobic Conditions

Author
item Chee Sanford, Joanne
item Connor, Lynn
item SANFORD, R - University Of Illinois

Submitted to: American Society of Microbiologists Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2010
Publication Date: 5/23/2010
Citation: Chee-Sanford, J.C., Connor, L.M., Sanford, R.A. 2010. Electron Transport Interplay Between Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans and Pseudomonas stutzeri Reveals A Metabolic Symbiosis Involving Halorespiration Under Anaerobic Conditions [abstract]. American Society of Microbiologists Abstracts. 111:205.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A molecular survey of 257 agricultural soils revealed the presence of bacterial Anaeromyxobacter populations, a group known for anaerobic respiratory dehalogenation of halophenols. Using 2,6-dichlorophenol as an electron acceptor, we expected this group would predominate in anaerobic enrichment cultures derived from agricultural soil microcosms. 13C-DNA-SIP results confirmed that Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans populations, different from previously reported isolates, grew via halorespiration coupled to 13C-acetate oxidation, however, we unexpectedly found co-enrichment of 13C-labeled DNA (indicating growth) associated with a Pseudomonas stutzeri population (strain DCP-Ps1). After isolating both Anaeromyxobacter and Pseudomonas strains, we confirmed the ability of the Anaeromyxobacter to respire halophenols, however strain DCP-Ps1 could not dechlorinate any chlorophenols. Results suggest that the physiological electron acceptor of DCP-Ps1 in the enrichment may be a redox-active compound acting as an electron shuttle. We hypothesize that this compound serves as an electron acceptor for strain DCP-Ps1, cycling between oxidized and reduced states whereby effectively establishing a symbiotic association with halorespiring Anaeromyxobacter cells.