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Cytochromes in free-living rhizobia

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Abstract

Difference spectra of the crude cell-free extracts of 22 strains of fast-growing and slow-growing rhizobia, including members of the cowpea group, reveal the presence of cytochromes c, b, aa3, o, and a soluble CO-reactive hemoprotein P-428 in all of them. No strict correlation between the growth properties of the strains and their cytochrome contents are observed. All the pigments are present in varying quantities at all stages of growth ofRhizobium meliloti SU 216 andBradyrhizobium species (Lupinus) RL3001. A progressive increase in the level of the pigments is observed with the progress of bacterial growth until an optimum concentration is reached, whereupon the level tends to decrease. However, the ratio of cytochrome c to cytochrome b increases linearly throughout the growth period. Cytochromes b, c552, aa3, and o are particle bound, whereas cytochrome c550 and P-428 are soluble.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Bose Institute, 700 009, Calcutta, India

    Syamal K. Chakrabarti, Ajit K. Mishra &  Pran K. Chakrabartty

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  1. Syamal K. Chakrabarti
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  2. Ajit K. Mishra
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  3. Pran K. Chakrabartty
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Chakrabarti, S.K., Mishra, A.K. & Chakrabartty, P.K. Cytochromes in free-living rhizobia. Current Microbiology 15, 165–170 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01577267

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01577267

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