title: ShmR is essential for utilization of heme as a nutritional iron source in Sinorhizobium meliloti.
abstract: The bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti is able to use heme as a nutritional iron source. Here, we show that the iron-regulated shmR gene encodes an outer membrane protein required for growth on heme. Furthermore, an shmR mutant is resistant to the toxic heme analog gallium protoporphyrin. Thus, the receptor protein of the heme transport system has been identified in S. meliloti.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, MEC, Unidad Asociada a la Facultad de Ciencias, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay.
authors.forename: Vanesa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Amarelle
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: O'Brian
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fabiano