Open AccessOccurrence of new bacteriochlorophyll d forms in natural populations of green photosynthetic sulfur bacteria
Author(s) -
Borrego Carles M,
GarciaGil Jesus,
Cristina Xavier P,
Vila Xavier,
Abella Carles A
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6941.1998.tb00510.x
Subject(s) - bacteriochlorophyll , green sulfur bacteria , biology , pigment , sulfur , photosynthesis , bacteria , botany , chlorosome , genetics , chemistry , organic chemistry
The presence of unusual bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) d forms in natural populations of green photosynthetic sulfur bacteria is reported. These new pigment forms share spectral properties with the standard BChl d previously described in green sulfur bacteria, i.e. absorption maxima at 429 nm and 656 nm at the Soret and Q y bands, respectively, but greatly differ in the HPLC analysis. Two types of natural BChl d were found: type I, observed in populations of Pelodictyon clathratiforme and the green consortium ‘ Chlorochromatium aggregatum ’, was composed of three main homologs unevenly distributed along the chromatographic run. BChl d type II was only observed in photosynthetic communities dominated by Chloronema spp., and eluted as a cluster of seven homologs characterized by their high apolarity. The distinct chromatographic behavior suggests differences in the chemical structures of these pigments, which are suspected to be located at the C‐17 position of the macrocycle by esterification of alcohols longer than farnesyl. The possible origin of these new pigment forms as well as their potential role in light adaptation in natural habitats is discussed.