Electron Microscopic Analysis of Heat-Induced Leakage of Polyphosphate from a phoU Mutant of Escherichia coli

Hitoshi KASHIHARA; Bong Mun KANG; Takeshi OMASA; Kohsuke HONDA; Yuka SAMESHIMA; Akio KURODA; Hisao OHTAKE

doi:10.1271/bbb.90820

Microbiology & Fermentation Technology Notes

Electron Microscopic Analysis of Heat-Induced Leakage of Polyphosphate from a phoU Mutant of Escherichia coli

Hitoshi KASHIHARA, Bong Mun KANG, Takeshi OMASA, Kohsuke HONDA, Yuka SAMESHIMA, Akio KURODA, Hisao OHTAKE

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Keywords: polyphosphate, polyphosphate granules, heat treatment, electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2010 Volume 74 Issue 4 Pages 865-868

DOI https://doi.org/10.1271/bbb.90820

View "Advance Publication" version (April 7, 2010).

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Abstract

Heat treatment is a simple technique for releasing polyphosphate (polyP) from microbial cells. We investigated the ultrastructural alterations of polyP granules (PPGs) in response to heat treatment at 70 °C using a polyP-accumulating phoU mutant of Escherichia coli as a model organism. Electron microscopic and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis suggested concurrent occurrence of PPG degradation and polyP release in the cytoplasm. PolyP is probably released by cytoplasmic extrusion through breaks in the cell envelope.

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