Iron Transport in Mycobacterium smegmatis: The Location of Mycobactin by Electron Microscopy
1982; Microbiology Society; Volume: 128; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1099/00221287-128-7-1559
ISSN1465-2080
AutoresColin Ratledge, P. V. Patel, John Mundy,
Tópico(s)Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
ResumoMycobactin, the lipid-soluble iron-binding compound of the mycobacteria, has been located using electron microscopy of whole cells stained with vanadate. It forms a discrete, discontinuous region close to, or even included in, the cytoplasmic membrane of Mycobacterium smegmatis. It does not occur throughout the whole thickness of the wall but is some distance within the envelope. Possible models for the accommodation of mycobactin are discussed. It is concluded from these observations that mycobactin may be acting either as a store of iron, or as an ionophore, or possibly fulfilling both roles.
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