Shewanella Oneidensis MR-1 Msh Pilin Proteins are Involved in Extracellular Electron Transfer in Microbial Fuel Cells

Shewanella is a microbial genus that can oxidize lactate for the reduction of insoluble electron acceptors. This reduction is possible by either direct (cell surface interaction, nanowires) or indirect (soluble redox mediators) mechanisms. However, the actual molecular identification of a nanowire h...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fitzgerald, Lisa A, Peterson, Emily R, Ray, Richard I, Little, Brenda J, Cooper, Candace J, Howard, Erinn C, Ringeisen, Bradley R, Biffinger, Justin C
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatomy and Physiology
BIOSYNTHESIS
ELECTRON TRANSFER
FUEL CELLS
Medicine and Medical Research
MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS
MSH(MANNOSE-SENSITIVE HEMAGGLUTININ)
MUTATIONS
NANOWIRES
PROTEINS
REPRINTS
SHEWANELLA ONEIDENSIS MR-1
TYPE IV PILI
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Summary:Shewanella is a microbial genus that can oxidize lactate for the reduction of insoluble electron acceptors. This reduction is possible by either direct (cell surface interaction, nanowires) or indirect (soluble redox mediators) mechanisms. However, the actual molecular identification of a nanowire has not been determined. Through mutational studies, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 was analyzed for its ability to transfer electrons to an electrode after deletion of the structural pilin genes ( mshA-D) or the entire biosynthetic expression system ( mshH-Q) of one of its pilin complexes (Msh type IV pilus gene locus). The complete removal of the Msh complex ( mshH-Q) significantly decreased the current generated from a fuel cell compared to MR-1. However, the mutant with only extracellular Msh structural proteins removed ( mshA-D) was able to generate 80% of the current compared to MR-1. Thus, the intracellular and membrane bound Msh biogenesis complex is a pathway for extracellular electron transfer in S. oneidensis MR-1. Process Biochemistry, preprint 2011. The original document contains color images. Supported in part by AFOSR.