Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The genetics of a microbe-mineral interaction. / Van Houdt, Rob; Olsson-Francis, Karen; Leys, Natalie; Mergeay, Max; Cockell, Charles S.; Moors, Hugo (Peer reviewer).
In: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 73, No. 13 Supplement 1, 06.2009, p. 1372-1372.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The genetics of a microbe-mineral interaction
AU - Van Houdt, Rob
AU - Olsson-Francis, Karen
AU - Leys, Natalie
AU - Mergeay, Max
AU - Cockell, Charles S.
A2 - Moors, Hugo
N1 - Score = 3
PY - 2009/6
Y1 - 2009/6
N2 - Microbial activity has been linked to volcanic rock weathering. It is thought that the process is generally driven by the nutrient requirement of the microbial community and occurs as a result of the sequestration of bioessential elements. Although we know that metabolising bacteria influence rock weathering, the molecular processes invloved are unknown. For the first time, we have used DNA microarray technology to investigate the genes involved in weathering, in particular the sequestering of iron using the heavy metal resistant bacterium, Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34. Extensive studies have characterized the heavy metal resistant and iron uptake mechanisms of this bacterium.Microarray analysis demonstrated that siderophore genes were not differentially expressed when grown in MM284 (iron-limited) with basalt. This was in concurrence with siderophore measurements using the CAS assay. Instead, a large number of porins and membrane transporters in concomitantly with genes associated with biofilm formation were up-regulated. Furthermore, genes linked to heavy metal resistance were upregulated. These results not only elucidate the mechanisms by which bacteria might have sequestered nutrients on the early Earth but also provide an explanation for the evolution of multiple heavy metal resistance genes long before the creation of contaminated industrial biotopes by human activity.
AB - Microbial activity has been linked to volcanic rock weathering. It is thought that the process is generally driven by the nutrient requirement of the microbial community and occurs as a result of the sequestration of bioessential elements. Although we know that metabolising bacteria influence rock weathering, the molecular processes invloved are unknown. For the first time, we have used DNA microarray technology to investigate the genes involved in weathering, in particular the sequestering of iron using the heavy metal resistant bacterium, Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34. Extensive studies have characterized the heavy metal resistant and iron uptake mechanisms of this bacterium.Microarray analysis demonstrated that siderophore genes were not differentially expressed when grown in MM284 (iron-limited) with basalt. This was in concurrence with siderophore measurements using the CAS assay. Instead, a large number of porins and membrane transporters in concomitantly with genes associated with biofilm formation were up-regulated. Furthermore, genes linked to heavy metal resistance were upregulated. These results not only elucidate the mechanisms by which bacteria might have sequestered nutrients on the early Earth but also provide an explanation for the evolution of multiple heavy metal resistance genes long before the creation of contaminated industrial biotopes by human activity.
KW - basalt
KW - mineral
KW - iron
KW - bacteria
KW - CH34
KW - weathering
UR - http://ecm.sckcen.be/OTCS/llisapi.dll/open/ezp_99951
UR - http://knowledgecentre.sckcen.be/so2/bibref/6037
U2 - 10.1016/j.gca.2009.05.021
DO - 10.1016/j.gca.2009.05.021
M3 - Article
VL - 73
SP - 1372
EP - 1372
JO - Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
JF - Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
SN - 0016-7037
IS - 13 Supplement 1
ER -
ID: 239247