Electron transport and respiration in Beggiatoa and Vitreoscilla

William R. Strohl, The Ohio State University
Thomas M. Schmidt, The Ohio State University
Victor A. Vinci, The Ohio State University
John M. Larkin, Louisiana State University

Abstract

Seven strains of bacteria belonging to the Beggiatoa-Vitreoscilla group were studied for their respiratory activity and for the presence of electron transport conponents. All strains tested oxidized [1-14C] and [2-14C] acetate to 14CO2 at relatively high rates. All strains tested were N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylphenylenediamine (TMPD)-oxidase positive and contained spectra representing a-type and carbon monoxide-binding cytochromes. Most of the strains also contained spectra representing c-type and b-type cytochromes. Beggiatoa alba B18LD contained b-type, a-type, c-type and CO-binding cytochromes, the latter two being located in the 144,000 x g soluble fraction. B. alba also contained ubiquinone-8 as its only detectable quinone. © 1986 Springer-Verlag.