Clarke TA. Plugging into bacterial nanowires: a comparison of model electrogenic organisms.
Curr Opin Microbiol 2022;
66:56-62. [PMID:
34999354 DOI:
10.1016/j.mib.2021.12.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular electron transport (EET) is an important metabolic process used by many bacteria to remove excess electrons generated through cellular metabolism. However, there is still limited understanding about how the molecular mechanisms used to export electrons impact cellular metabolism. Here the EET pathways of two of the best-studied electrogenic organisms, Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter sulferreducens, are described. Both organisms have superficially similar overall EET routes, but differ in the mechanisms used to oxidise menaquinol, transfer electrons across the outer membrane and reduce extracellular substrates. These mechanistic differences substantially impact both substrate choice and bacterial lifestyle.
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