title: Electron microscopic analysis of heat-induced leakage of polyphosphate from a phoU mutant of Escherichia coli.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kashihara
authors.forename: Bong Mun
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Omasa
authors.forename: Kohsuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sameshima
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.forename: Hisao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohtake
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D011122:Polyphosphates