Chapter outline: Breathing Metals: Molecular Mechanism of Microbial Metal Respiration

Proposed title: Breathing Metals: Molecular Mechanism of Microbial Metal Respiration

Chapter no.:   ____________

Author:           Thomas DiChristina

A. Direct enzymatic pathway

 

1. Genetic and biochemical studies of Shewanella oneidensis genes and proteins

required for direct enzymatic metal reduction

2. Evidence of cytochrome localization on S. oneidensis outer membrane

3. Predicted structure and proposed mechanism of external electron transfer via

outer membrane metal-reducing, porin-cytochrome complex

4. Functions of porin-cytochrome complex in other bacterial species

5. Gaps in knowledge and future research directions

 

B. Electron-shuttling pathway

 

1. Discovery of electron shuttling compounds

2. Endogenous and exogenous electron shuttling compounds

3. Soluble and solid electron shuttling compounds

4. Electron shuttling mechanism and rate limiting step in microbial metal respiration

5. Gaps in knowledge and future research directions

C. Metal solubilization pathway

 

1. Introduction to metal-ligand chemistry

2. Chemical basis of metal solubilization by organic ligands

3. Metal solubilization by siderophores produced by aerobic microorganisms

4. Metal solubilization by organic ligands produced by S. oneidensis under

anaerobic, metal-reducing conditions

5. Gaps in knowledge and future research directions

D. Nanowire pathway

 

1. Overall strategy for electron transfer via nanowires produced by S. oneidensis

2. Nanowire structure and proposed mechanism of electron transfer via nanowires

3. Nanowire networks between bacteria

4. Nanotechnological applications of nanowires

5. Gaps in knowledge and future research directions