HR: 08:15h
AN: B51D-02 INVITED     [Abstracts]
TI: Microbial Metallomics: A Bioinorganic Perspective
AU: * Elliott, S J
EM: elliott@chem.bu.edu
AF: Boston University, Department of chemistry, 590 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215 United States
AB: The term "metallome", as described by R.J.P. Williams is synonymous with the instantaneously determined concentration of all inorganic species within a cellular system [1]. Here, we refine this definition to specify that metallomics should reflect not only the overall content of inorganic species in cells, but the chemical identity of such species (i.e., in both ligated and unligated states) a well as their location. Of particular interest to the metallobiochemist are the roles inorganic species play in the up- and down-regulation of protein expression in cells. Thus, we consider that a fully realized "metallome" will reflect the biochemical pathways associated with metal ion speciation and localization within cells. Here we will describe currently proposed strategy and methodology that is used by the Elliott Lab of Boston University to capture snapshots of the proteomic and metallomic landscape of a variety of microbial systems. Two such systems will be described in some detail. The first is Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath), a methanotrophic organism that is known to undergo dramatic morphological changes upon the introduction of varying concentrations of Fe and Cu in the growth medium. In particular, the introduction of increasing concentrations of copper induces the expression of extensive intracytosolic membranes [2]. The Fe:Cu ratio also controls the expression of gene transcripts for soluble and particulate methane monooxygenase enzymes. This provides a unique opportunity to explore metal sensing, uptake, speciation and localization in methanotrophs. A developing model of protein expression and metal input will be discussed. Specific metallomic experiments regarding Shewanella oneidensis will also be discussed, in the context of an ongoing effort to understand how this organism can utilize a dazzling array of electron acceptors, including Fe(III), Mn(IV), nitrite, DMSO, TMAO, and fumarate. [1] R.J.P. Williams, Coord. Chem. Rev., 216:583-595 (2001). [2] C.A. Brantner, et al. Arch. Microbiol. 178: 59-64 (2002).
DE: 0400 Biogeosciences
SC: Biogeosciences [B]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting