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Osmoregulation inThiobacillus ferrooxidans: Stimulation of iron oxidation by proline and betaine under salt stress

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Abstract

The osmoregulatory mechanisms of chemolithotrophs have not previously been investigated. We tested glutamic acid, proline, and betaine as potential osmorprotectants for the acidic chemolithotrophThiobacillus ferrooxidans. Salt stresses were imposed by NaCl, KCl, Na2SO4, and K2SO4 in separate experiments. Proline enhanced rates of iron oxidation in all saltstressed cultures, whereas betaine acted as an osmoprotectant only in sulfate-salt-stressed cultures and in cultures severely stressed by NaCl (0.3–0.4M). Glutamic acid inhibited iron oxidation in all cases.

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  1. Department of Biology, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, 87801, Socorro, New Mexico, USA

    Thomas L. Kieft & Sandra D. Spence

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  1. Thomas L. Kieft
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  2. Sandra D. Spence
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Kieft, T.L., Spence, S.D. Osmoregulation inThiobacillus ferrooxidans: Stimulation of iron oxidation by proline and betaine under salt stress. Current Microbiology 17, 255–258 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01571324

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01571324

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