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Carbon isotope fractionation by thermophilic phototrophic sulfur bacteria: evidence for autotrophic growth in natural populationsPurple phototrophic bacteria of the genus Chromatium can grow as either photoautotrophs or photoheterotrophs. To determine the growth mode of the thermophilic Chromatium species, Chromatium tepidum, under in situ conditions, we have examined the carbon isotope fractionation patterns in laboratory cultures of this organism and in mats of C. tepidum which develop in sulfide thermal springs in Yellowstone National Park. Isotopic analysis (13C/12C) of total carbon, carotenoid pigments, and bacteriochlorophyll from photoautotrophically grown cultures of C. tepidum yielded 13C fractionation factors near -20%. Cells of C. tepidum grown on excess acetate, wherein synthesis of the Calvin cycle enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase) was greatly repressed, were isotopically heavier, fractionation factors of ca. -7% being observed. Fractionation factors determined by isotopic analyses of cells and pigment fractions of natural populations of C. tepidum growing in three different sulfide thermal springs in Yellowstone National Park were approximately -20%, indicating that this purple sulfur bacterium grows as a photoautotroph in nature.
Document ID
20040112257
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Madigan, M. T.
(Southern Illinois University Carbondale 62901, United States)
Takigiku, R.
Lee, R. G.
Gest, H.
Hayes, J. M.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Applied and environmental microbiology
Volume: 55
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0099-2240
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR15003-118
CONTRACT_GRANT: PCM-8404996
CONTRACT_GRANT: PCM-8415291
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Exobiology
NASA Program Exobiology
NASA Discipline Number 52-30

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