FURTHER CHARACTERIZATION AND PROPOSED PATHWAY OF DEFERRIOXAMINE-B CATABOLISM

Most siderophores are catabolism resistant because of their non-peptid ic or cyclic peptide chemical structures. Siderophore degradation is t hus a rare event, and one which has received little attention. Based o n literature precedence and the generation of monohydroxamic acid(s) b y cell-free extracts of a deferrioxamine B degrading bacterium, a cata bolic scheme of the siderophore is proposed. Data are also presented c oncerning parameters such as the pH profile, inducible nature of the s iderophore-degrading metabolism and the ability of the deferrioxamine B degrading bacterium to metabolize some of the hypothesized products of deferrioxamine B dissimilation.