PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

H Stolp

Publications and source records attributed to H Stolp.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Interactions between Bdellovibrio and its host cell.

The bdellovibrios are extremely small bacteria with the unique property of being parasites of other (gram-negative) bacteria. In the presence of viable and susceptible bacteria a Bdellovibrio cell physically 'attacks' an individual host cell, attaches to its surface, penetrates the cell wall, and multiples within the periplasmic (intramural) space of its prey. The invading Bdellovibrio and its progeny degrade and consume the cellular constituents of the invaded host bacterium. This process finally results in complete lysis of the host cell and release of the Bdellovibrio progeny. From a population of parasitic bdellovibrios, derivatives can be selected that grow on complex nutrient media. Currently, none of the different nutritional types can be propagated in a fully defined synthetic medium. By degradation of the cellular constituents of the host the Bdellovibrio cell in its periplasmic space has available all the monomeric subunits needed to synthesis of the macromolecules. Peculiarities of Bdellovibrio metabolism with respect to uptake of preformed molecules and energy efficiency are discussed.

Bdellovibrio

Energy metabolism of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. II. P/O ratio and ATP pool turnover rate.

The P/O ratio of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, strain Bd 109 Sa, was evaluated by two different methods based on the determination of energy-rich phosphate bonds and either NADH oxidation or oxygen-uptake. P/O values calculated on the basis of NADH oxidation were up to 6, which has to be regarded as being overestimated. P/O values calculated from energy-rich phosphate bonds and oxygen uptake were around 2. The P/O values determined for Escherichia coli B were similar. The loss of phosphorylation efficiency at one site is discussed. The ATP pool turnover rate of Bdellovibrio was 8/min during endogenous respiration and 24/min during substrate respiration. The corresponding values in Escherichia coli B were 3/min and 38/min.

Adenosine Triphosphate

[Microbial breakdown of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (author's transl)].

Using the conventional enrichment technique various bacteria were isolated capable of degrading simple aromatic hydrocarbons such as naphthalene, phenanthrene, and anthracene. One isolate had the capacity to co-oxidize fluorene, fluoranthene, and pyrene; the higher condensed aromatics, however, were not attacked. Ecological studies in soil percolators revealed that a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons including benzo(a)-pyrene and benzo(a)anthracene were degraded by microbial activities.

Anthracenes

Energy metabolism of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. I. Energy production, ATP pool, energy charge.

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, strain Bd. 109 Sa, generates ATP mainly by oxidative phosphorylation during electron transport. During exponential growth the ATP pool is constant (9 mmoles/100 mugN) indicating that energy-producing and energy-consuming reactions are well balanced. The ratio of substrate respiration/endogenous respiration is approx. 2.5/1. Energy charge is constant both in endogenous and substrate respiration at values of 0.62 to 0.64. During endogenous respiration (starvation) the ATP pool oscillates at regular intervals. ATP over-production is started after the ATP pool has decreased to a minimum level of 6 nmoles/100 mug N. The alternating over- and under-production of ATP is interpreted as a special regulation which enables the organism to make economic use of its own cellular materials. Addition of substrate (glutamate) to starving cells does not influence the type of ATP pool oscillation as observed in endogenous respiration. The parasitic strain Bd. 109 Pa exhibits the same periodicity of ATP overproduction as does it saprophytic derivative, Bd. 109 Sa. Decrease of viability during starvation is paralleled by a decrease of the ATP pool.

Adenine Nucleotides