Journal
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS
Volume 1647, Issue 1-2, Pages 266-271Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/S1570-9639(03)00067-0
Keywords
quinoprotein; glucose dehydrogenase; PQQ; mineral phosphate solubilization
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Funding
- NIGMS NIH HHS [1R15GM55947-0121] Funding Source: Medline
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The ability of some bacteria to dissolve poorly soluble calcium phosphates (CaPs) has been termed 'mineral phosphate solubilizing' (MPS). Since most microorganisms and plants must assimilate P via membrane transport, biotransformation of CaP into soluble phosphate is considered an essential component of the global P cycle. In many Gram-negative bacteria, strong organic acids produced in the periplasm via the direct oxidation pathway have been shown to dissolve CaP in the adjacent environment. Therefore, the quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase (PQQGDH) may function in the ecophysiology of many soil bacteria. There is interest in using MPS bacteria for industrial bioprocessing of rock phosphate ore (a substituted fluroapatite) or even for direct inoculation of soils as a 'biofertilizer' analogous to nitrogen fixation. Our laboratory has spent 20 years studying superior MPS bacteria. Screening genomic libraries in the appropriate E. coli genetic background can 'trap' PQQ or GDH genes from these bacteria via functional complementation. In setting the 'trap' for PQQ genes, we have identified DNA fragments that apparently induce PQQGDH activity in E. coli with no sequence homology to known PQQ genes. These data suggest that E. coli may have an alternative, inducible PQQ biosynthesis pathway. Finally, a novel protein engineering strategy to increase the catalytic rate of PQQGDH has emerged and will be discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
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