Open AccessA mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that lacks c‐type cytochromes has a functional cyanide‐insensitive oxidase
Author(s) -
Ray Anjana,
Williams Huw D.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1996.tb07976.x
Subject(s) - mutant , complementation , oxidase test , cyanide , biochemistry , cytochrome c oxidase , wild type , mutagenesis , chemistry , alternative oxidase , biology , enzyme , gene , inorganic chemistry
Using transposon mutagenesis and screening for the loss of the ability to oxidise the artificial electron donor N , N , N ′, N ′‐tetrarnethyl‐ p ‐phenylenediarnine, we have isolated a mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that lacks all c ‐type cytochromes. This mutant is unable to grow anaerobically with nitrate as a terminal electron acceptor. Analysis of its respiratory function indicates that the mutant has lost its cytochrome c oxidase‐terminated respiratory pathway but the cyanide‐insensitive oxidase‐terminated branch remains functional. Complementation of the mutant by in vivo cloning led to recovery of the wild‐type characteristics. These data are consistent with the idea that the cyanide‐insensitive respiratory pathway does not contain haem c and that the pathway's terminal oxidase is a quinol oxidase.