Uranium bioaccumulation by a Citrobacter sp. as a result of enzymically mediated growth of polycrystalline HUO2PO4.
A Citrobacter sp. accumulates heavy deposits of metal phosphate, derived from an enzymically liberated phosphate ligand. The cells are not subject to saturation constraints and can accumulate several times their own weight of precipitated metal. This high capacity is attributable to biomineralization; uranyl phosphate accumulates as polycrystalline HUO2PO4 at the cell surface. The precipitated metal is indistinguishable from crystalline HUO2PO4.4H2O grown by chemical methods.
Macaskie
L E
LE
School of Biological Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.
Empson
R M
RM
Cheetham
A K
AK
Grey
C P
CP
Skarnulis
A J
AJ
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002954:Citrobacter / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003460:Crystallization; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D017974:Uranium Compounds
D010710:Phosphates; D017974:Uranium Compounds; C075963:hydrogen uranyl phosphate; D014501:Uranium