Uranium binding by cells and S-layers of Bacillus isolates recovered from uranium mining waste pile


Uranium binding by cells and S-layers of Bacillus isolates recovered from uranium mining waste pile

Raff, J.; Berger, S.; Selenska-Pobell, S.

Intensive studies of the surface-layer (S-layer) protein of the uranium mining waste pile isolate Bacillus sphaericus JG-A12 demonstrated its capability to bind uranium with high affinity and selectivity. But there are still many open questions. Therefore several other S-layer carrying Bacillus isolates were investigated. The latter were recovered from the same uranium mining waste pile as JG-A12, but from a site 5 times more contaminated with uranium. First experiments included analyses of the uranium binding by intact cells and by purified S-layers, determination of posttranslational modifications of the S-layer proteins and comparisons with the S-layer protein of B. sphaericus JG-A12 by using immunoassay methods.
Altogether 21 isolates were investigated. 9 S-layer positive Bacillus sp. isolates were identified. Using modified standard protocols, the S-layers of all isolates were successfully extracted. None of the proteins were glycosylated but all were phosphorylated in different degree. Interestingly, the cells of the half of the investigated isolates possess lower uranium binding capacities than the cells of B. sphaericus JG-A12. In contrast to that all S-layer proteins of the investigated isolates have significantly higher uranium binding capacities. Further investigations of the mechanisms responsible for the extremely high uranium binding capacity of some S-layers are in progress.

  • Contribution to proceedings
    Annual Conference of the Association for General und Applied Micobiology, 19.-22.03.2006, Jena, Deutschland
    Abstract in Procceding: Biospektrum Sonderausgabe 2006 Elsevier, 153
  • Poster
    Annual Conference of the Association for General und Applied Micobiology, 19.-22.03.2006, Jena, Deutschland

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Publ.-Id: 7941