Iron Acquisition in <em>Rhodococcus erythropolis</em> Strain IGTS8: Characterization of a Mutant Strain that Over Produces Siderophore.

<p>Iron is an essential nutrient for most bacteria because enzymes like nitrate reductase and cytochromes use it as a cofactor. However, in most aerobic, neutral pH environments, iron is essentially insoluble and not easily available for bacteria to use. Many bacteria respond to this problem by releasing small organic compounds called siderophores that bind and effectively solubilize iron so that it can be transported into the cell for growth. The focus of this study was to learn more about the iron acquisition and especially the transport of iron by the soil bacterium <em>Rhodococcus erythropolis</em>. To fulfill this aim, mutant strains of the bacteria were screened for those that overproduce siderophore. Often, a bacterium will over produce siderophore to compensate for a defect in transport. One such mutant, R187-12, was further analyzed by cloning the region of the chromosome containing the defective gene responsible for over production of siderophore into a plasmid vector. The DNA sequence of this region was determined and analyzed for the presence of similar genes encoding transport proteins.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Pratt, Melanie Anne

• siderophore
• Rhodococcus
• heterobactin
• iron acquisition
• Bacteriology
• Life Sciences
• Microbiology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2013

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-3365