Degree Name

MS (Master of Science)

Program

Biology

Date of Award

5-2018

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Ranjan Chakraborty

Committee Members

Christopher Pritchett, Cecilia A. McIntosh

Abstract

Siderophores are low molecular weight, iron chelating compounds produced by many bacteria for uptake of iron in case of iron scarcity. Vicibactin is a trihydroxamate type siderophore produced by Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii ATCC 14479. This work focuses on identifying an outer membrane receptor involved in the transport of vicibactin. We have confirmed the presence of the putative fhuA gene in R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii ATCC 14479. This bacteria shows mutualistic symbiosis with the red clover plant Trifoliium prantense. Leghemoglobin, with its cofactor heme is present in the plant root nodules that surrounds the infecting organism present in the nodules. This work attempts to elucidate the ability of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii ATCC 14479 to utilize heme-bound iron and genes involved in the transport. We have also elucidated the role of energy transducing proteins TonB- ExbB-ExbD on the heme-bound iron uptake system.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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