Open AccessNitrogen source influences natural abundance 15 N of Escherichia coli
Author(s) -
Collins Jessica G.,
Dijkstra Paul,
Hart Stephen C.,
Hungate Bruce A.,
Flood Nichole M.,
Schwartz Egbert
Publication year - 2008
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.1574-6968.2008.01133.x
Subject(s) - abundance (ecology) , escherichia coli , natural abundance , environmental science , environmental chemistry , chemistry , ecology , biology , biochemistry , mass spectrometry , chromatography , gene
Escherichia coli cells were forced to mineralize or assimilate nitrogen in vitro by manipulating substrate carbon and nitrogen availability. When grown on an organic nitrogen source, E. coli cells released NH 4 + and were enriched in 15 N relative to the nitrogen source (1.6–3.1‰). However, when cells were grown on an inorganic nitrogen source, the biomass was depleted (6.1–9.1‰) relative to the source. By measuring 15 N enrichment of microorganisms relative to nitrogen pools, ecosystem ecologists may be able to determine if microorganisms are assimilating or mineralizing nitrogen.