STUDIES ON SIDEROPHORE PRODUCTION AND EFFECT OF IRON DEPRIVATION ON THE OUTER-MEMBRANE PROTEINS OF MADURELLA-MYCETOMATIS

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether Madurella m ycetomatis, the most frequent agent of eumycotic mycetomas, produces s iderophores and synthesizes new outer membrane proteins under iron-sta rvation conditions. Siderophore production, only of the hydroxamate ty pe, was demonstrated in all nine strains tested. It was regulated by e xtracellular iron concentrations. Under iron-restricted conditions, M, mycetomatis expressed various outer membrane iron-regulated proteins, particularly of 24-kilodalton, that may participate in iron metabolis m.