Electron microscopic analysis of heat-induced leakage of polyphosphate from a phoU mutant of Escherichia coli.
Heat treatment is a simple technique for releasing polyphosphate (polyP) from microbial cells. We investigated the ultrastructural alterations of polyP granules (PPGs) in response to heat treatment at 70 degrees C using a polyP-accumulating phoU mutant of Escherichia coli as a model organism. Electron microscopic and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis suggested concurrent occurrence of PPG degradation and polyP release in the cytoplasm. PolyP is probably released by cytoplasmic extrusion through breaks in the cell envelope.
Kashihara
Hitoshi
H
Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Japan.
Kang
Bong Mun
BM
Omasa
Takeshi
T
Honda
Kohsuke
K
Sameshima
Yuka
Y
Kuroda
Akio
A
Ohtake
Hisao
H
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004583:Electrons; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011122:Polyphosphates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014965:X-Rays
D011122:Polyphosphates