CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CYTOCHROMES-C FROM DESULFOVIBRIO-DESULFURICANS G201

A monoheme cytochrome c(553) and a hexadecaheme high molecular weight cytochrome (Hmc) have been isolated and characterized from the sulfate -reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio desulfuricans G201, in addition to th e tetraheme cytochrome c(3) (Mr 13000) that has been previously descri bed. Both cytochromes are homologous with respect to several biochemic al properties to the corresponding cytochromes found in other Desulfov ibrio species. However, they are acidic proteins while the correspondi ng molecules, isolated from other Desulfovibrio species, are relativel y more basic. The D. desulfuricans cytochrome content appears identica l to that of D. vulgaris Hildenborough. Isolation of these cytochromes from a Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain is of great interest in ord er to get more insight on the physiological function of these molecule s. (C) 1998 Academic Press.