Poly-Gamma-Glutamic Acid Secretion Protects Bacillus subtilis from Zinc and Copper Intoxication
Reina Deol, A Watanabe Louis, Harper Lee Glazer, Warren Hosseinion, Anna Bagley, Pete Chandrangsu
Abstract
Zinc and copper are potent antimicrobial compounds. As such, bacteria have evolved a diverse range of tools to prevent metal intoxication. Here, we show that the Gram-positive model organism, Bacillus subtilis, produces poly-gamma-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) as a protective mechanism against zinc and copper intoxication and that zinc and copper dependent γ-PGA production occurs by a yet undefined mechanism independent of known γ-PGA regulation pathways.
Topics & Concepts
Bacillus subtilisZincCopperBacteriaBiochemistryChemistryExtracellularCopper toxicityZinc toxicityMicrobiologyBiosynthesisEnzymeBiologyOrganic chemistryGeneticsBiopolymer Synthesis and ApplicationsAdvanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniquesCancer Research and Treatments