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S Shivaji

Publications and source records attributed to S Shivaji.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Planococcus antarcticus and Planococcus psychrophilus spp. nov. isolated from cyanobacterial mat samples collected from ponds in Antarctica.

Thirteen orange-pigmented bacteria associated with cyanobacterial mat samples collected from four different lakes in McMurdo, Antarctica, were isolated. Twelve of the isolates, which were coccoid in shape, were very similar and possessed all the characteristics of the genus Planococcus and represented a new species, which was assigned the name Planococcus antarcticus sp. nov. (CMS 26or(T)). Apart from the phenotypic differences, P. antarcticus differed from all reported species of Planococcus by more than 2.5% at the 16S rRNA gene sequence level. In addition, at the DNA-DNA hybridization level, it exhibited very little similarity either with P. mcmeekinii (30%-35%), P. okeanokoites (26%-29%), or CMS 53or(T) (15%-25%), the three species with which it is closely related at the rRNA gene sequence level (2.5%-2.9%). P. antarcticus also showed only 2.5% difference in its 16S rRNA gene sequence compared with the P. alkanoclasticus sequence. But it was distinctly different from P. alkanoclasticus, which exists only as rods, is mesophilic and phosphatase positive, can hydrolyze starch, cannot utilize succinate, glutamate, or glucose, and cannot acidify glucose. Most important, P. antarcticus and P. alkanoclasticus varied distinctly in their fatty acid composition in that C(15:0), C(15:1), C(16:0), iso-C(16:1), and C(17:0) were present only in P. antarcticus but absent in P. alkanoclasticus. CMS 53or(T), the thirteenth isolate, was also identified as a new species of Planococcus and was assigned the name Planococcus psychrophilus sp. nov. This species was distinctly different from all the reported species, including the new species P. antarcticus, with respect to a number of phenotypic characteristics. At the 16S rRNA gene sequence level, it was closely related to P. okeanokoites (98.1%) and P. mcmeekinii (98%), but with respect to the DNA-DNA hybridization, the similarity was only 35%-36%. The type strain of P. antarcticus is CMS 26or(T) (MTCC 3854; DSM 14505), and that of P. psychrophilus is CMS 530r(T) (MTCC 3812; DSM 14507).

Antarctic Regions↗

Protein serine and threonine phosphorylation, hyperactivation and acrosome reaction in in vitro capacitated hamster spermatozoa.

Monoclonal antibodies against phosphoserine and phosphothreonine were used in the present study to investigate the changes in serine and threonine phosphorylation respectectively during capacitation of hamster spermatozoa. Immunoblot analysis of hamster spermatozoa capacitated in TALP, a medium that supports capacitation, showed that a set of four proteins of molecular weight 56, 63, 66, and 100 kDa was phosphorylated both at the serine and threonine residues. In addition, five other proteins of molecular weight 32, 39, 45, 53, and 61 kDa were phosphorylated specifically at the threonine residues. Of these nine proteins, the 100 kDa protein showed a time dependent or capacitation-dependent decrease in intensity which coincided with the percentage acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. In contrast, the 49 and 63 kDa threonine phosphorylated proteins showed increased phosphorylation coinciding with capacitation. H8 (a serine and threonine kinase inhibitor) had a transient effect on the phosphorylation of these two phosphothreonine proteins but inhibited acrosome reaction substantially all through the treatment period. Okadaic acid (OA) (a serine and threonine protein phosphatase inhibitor) inhibited hyperactivation but had no effect on acrosome reaction. In fact, OA stimulated acrosome reaction. Finally the immunofluorescence studies indicated localization of the serine phosphorylated proteins in tail as well as in head of the capacitated hamster spermatozoa whereas the threonine phosphorylated proteins were localized mostly in the tail of the spermatozoa. The findings of the present study suggest that serine/threonine phosphorylation and the enzymes responsible for regulating the level of phosphorylation play an important role in capacitation and capacitation-associated events namely hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. However, further studies are needed in order to establish the exact role of these proteins in capacitation of spermatozoa.

Acrosome Reaction↗

Identification of the major tyrosine phosphorylated protein of capacitated hamster spermatozoa as a homologue of mammalian sperm a kinase anchoring protein.

The molecular basis of mammalian sperm capacitation is unique in that, it is associated with a protein kinase A (PKA) dependent upregulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Therefore, PKA activity during capacitation would be crucial for the downstream events of protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and mechanisms may exist to ensure that PKA phosphorylates its specific substrate. This could be achieved by bringing PKA close to its substrate, a function normally carried out by an A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP). We showed previously that cauda epididymidal spermatozoa of hamster undergo a capacitation-dependent increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation. In the present study, evidence is provided that two major tyrosine phosphorylated proteins of molecular weight 97 and 83 kDa are the hamster homologues of mouse pro-AKAP82 and AKAP82, and have been designated as hamster pro-AKAP83 and AKAP83 respectively. Hamster AKAP83 resembled the mouse AKAP82 with respect to its molecular weight, pI (pH 5-5.5) and cDNA and amino acid sequences. Sequence analysis indicated that the primary structure of pro-AKAP83 was highly conserved and exhibited 91% identity with mouse and rat AKAP82. Further, the functional domains, namely the region involved in binding the regulatory subunit of PKA and the proteolytic cleavage site between pro-AKAP83 and AKAP83, were identical with that observed in rat and mouse pro-AKAP82 and AKAP82. Immunoblot analysis using polyclonal hamster anti-AKAP83 antibodies indicated that AKAP83 was present both in caput and cauda epididymidal spermatozoa. The antibody also identified the pro-AKAP82 and AKAP82 in mouse caput and cauda epididymidal spermatozoa. Immunofluorescence studies indicated that AKAP83 in hamster spermatozoa was localized along the length of principal piece of the tail. It was also demonstrated that hamster pro-AKAP83/AKAP83 gene expression was testis specific and was not expressed in other organs in either sex. This is the first report implicating AKAP in capacitation in rodents.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reactivation of motility of demembranated hamster spermatozoa: role of protein tyrosine kinase and protein phosphatases.

Demembranated cauda epididymidal spermatozoa of hamster, following reactivation with 1 mm ATP, exhibited either a loop or planar type of motility. The spermatozoa with planar motility exhibited increased progressive velocity (VSL), straightness (STR), linearity (LIN) and beat cross frequency (BCF) compared to the spermatozoa with loop type motility. cAMP was observed to have differential effects on the motility parameters of the demembranated spermatozoa depending on the type of motility. For instance, in the loop type, average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and VSL were increased in the presence of cAMP unlike in the planar type. Furthermore, in an attempt to understand the role of protein kinases and protein phosphatases in regulation of sperm motility, the effects of various inhibitors of these enzymes on the motility and phosphorylation of proteins of reactivated demembranated spermatozoa were studied. Inhibitors of PTKase (protein tyrosine kinase) and protein phosphatases inhibited the motility of reactivated demembranated hamster spermatozoa. The activity of the respective enzymes associated with demembranated spermatozoa was concurrently inhibited, thus providing evidence that the effect of the inhibitors on motility was mediated through their inhibitory effects on the activities of the enzymes. The results also demonstrated that two phosphotyrosinylated proteins of molecular weight 65 and 80 kDa showed reduced phosphorylation in the presence of PTKase inhibitors, thus indicating their possible role in reactivation of motility of demembranated hamster spermatozoa.

Animals↗

Arthrobacter roseus sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from an antarctic cyanobacterial mat sample.

Strain CMS 90rT, a red-pigmented bacterium, was isolated from a cyanobacterial mat sample from a pond located in McMurdo, Antarctica. Based on its chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain CMS 90r(T) was identified as a member of group I of Arthrobacter. It shared 16S rDNA similarity of 98% with Arthrobacter oxydans ATCC 14358T and Arthrobacter polychromogenes ATCC 15216T, while DNA-DNA similarities determined for these three organisms were less than 70%. It also differed from all 17 reported Arthrobacter species with A3alpha-variant peptidoglycan in that it possessed a unique peptidoglycan (Lys-Gly-Ala3) and contained galactose, glucose, ribose and rhamnose as cell-wall sugars. These data and the presence of diagnostic phenotypic traits support the description of CMS 90r(T) as a novel species of Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter roseus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain CMS 90r(T) (= MTCC 3712T = DSM 14508T).

Antarctic Regions↗

Capacitation-associated changes in protein tyrosine phosphorylation, hyperactivation and acrosome reaction in hamster spermatozoa.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ca2+, BSA, NaHCO3 and PVA on the capacitation-associated time-dependent increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation, hyperactivation, and acrosome reaction in hamster spermatozoa. Hamster spermatozoa when incubated in TALP, a medium that assists capacitation, showed a time-dependent increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation that correlated with the capacitated state of the spermatozoa. An absence of Ca2+ or NaHCO3 in the capacitation medium delayed the phosphorylation of the proteins, but without both there was a significant decrease in the phosphorylation of the proteins throughout the period of capacitation. An absence of bovine serum albumin also caused a decrease in the phosphorylation of the proteins but this did not occur if polyvinyl alcohol was substituted for it in the medium. The percentage hyperactivation was not affected in the absence of bovine serum albumin if the medium contained polyvinyl alcohol. However, it was delayed in the absence of NaHCO3 and inhibited in the absence of Ca2+. The absence of NaHCO3 or bovine serum albumin had no effect on the acrosome reaction. These results show that hamster spermatozoa undergo capacitation-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation similar to that of the spermatozoa of other mammals. However, hamster spermatozoa are unique in that the capacitation-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation is not absolutely dependent on the presence of Ca2+ and NaHCO3. As far as we know, this study is the first to provide evidence that capacitation-associated protein tyrosine phosphorylation is linked to hyperactivation in hamster spermatozoa.

Acrosome Reaction↗

Identification of Yersinia pestis as the causative organism of plague in India as determined by 16S rDNA sequencing and RAPD-based genomic fingerprinting.

Eighteen isolates of bacteria obtained from the sputum of pneumonic plague patients and from the liver and spleen of rodents from the plague-affected areas of India during 1994-1995 when analyzed by 16S rDNA analysis clearly demonstrated that all 18 isolates exhibit an average similarity of 98.5% with the genus Yersinia and 99.1% with Yersinia pestis, thus identifying the isolates as Y. pestis. The isolates from the human plague patients were found to be genetically more homogeneous compared to the isolates from the rodents which were more heterogeneous. An epidemiological linkage among the rodents and human patients is also indicated by 16S rDNA analysis, which suggests that only a sub-population of the rodents was probably the source of the infectious pathogen to the humans initiating the outbreak of the epidemic. The results of the randomly amplified DNA polymorphisms (RAPD)-based DNA fingerprinting are in agreement with the above conclusions.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

Inhibition of motility of hamster spermatozoa by protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Genistein, tyrphostin and piceatannol, which are specific inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinase, were screened for their effects on the motility of intact and demembranated hamster spermatozoa. Of the three inhibitors only piceatannol inhibited the motility of intact spermatozoa. None of the inhibitors had any inhibitory effect on the reactivation of motility of demembranated hamster spermatozoa. Taken together these results indicated that a protein tyrosine kinase associated with the membrane of hamster spermatozoa was probably involved in sustenance of hamster sperm motility. Therefore in the present study a membrane-associated protein tyrosine kinase was purified from a detergent-soluble extract of plasma membranes of mature hamster spermatozoa. The purification involved cation exchange chromatography on fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) followed by affinity chromatography either on an antiphosphotyrosine antibody agarose or poly glu-tyr agarose column. The pure protein tyrosine kinase had an apparent molecular mass of 45 kDa. The enzyme was not inhibited by genistein or herbimycin but was inhibited by piceatannol. This is the first report on the purification of a sperm plasma membrane-associated protein tyrosine kinase, an enzyme which has also been implicated in hamster sperm motility.

Animals↗

Arthrobacter flavus sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from a pond in McMurdo Dry Valley, Antarctica.

CMS 19YT, a psychrophilic bacterium, was isolated from a cyanobacterial mat sample from a pond in Antarctica and was characterized taxonomically. The bacterium was aerobic, gram-positive, non-spore-forming, non-motile, exhibited a rod-coccus growth cycle and produced a yellow pigment that was insoluble in water but soluble in methanol. No growth factors were required and it was able to grow between 5 and 30 degrees C, between pH 6 and pH 9 and tolerated up to 11.5% NaCl. The cell wall peptidoglycan was Lys-Thr-Ala3 (the A3alpha variant) and the major menaquinone was MK-9(H2). The G+C content of the DNA was 64+/-2 mol%. The 16S rDNA analysis indicated that CMS 19YT is closely related to group I Arthrobacter species and showed highest sequence similarity (97.91%) with Arthrobacter agilis. Furthermore, DNA-DNA. hybridization studies also indicated 77% homology between CMS 19YT and A. agilis. It differed from A. agilis, however, in that it was psychrophilic, non-motile, yellow in colour, exhibited a rod-coccus growth cycle, had a higher degree of tolerance to NaCl and was oxidase- and urease-negative and lipase-positive. In addition, it had a distinct fatty acid composition compared to that of A. agilis: the predominant fatty acids were C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, C16:0, iso-C16:0, C17:0, anteiso-C17:0 and C18:0. It is proposed, therefore, that CMS 19YT should be placed in the genus Arthrobacter as a new species, i.e. Arthrobacter flavus sp. nov. The type strain of A. flavus is CMS 19YT (= MTCC 3476T).

Antarctic Regions↗

A RNA polymerase with transcriptional activity at 0 degrees C from the Antarctic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae.

A DNA-dependent RNA polymerase was purified from the Antarctic psychrotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae. The RNA polymerase showed a typical eubacterial subunit composition with beta, beta', alpha2 and sigma subunits. The subunits cross-reacted with antibodies raised against holoenzyme and the individual subunits of the RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli. However, the enzyme was considered unique, since unlike the RNA polymerase of mesophilic E. coli it exhibited significant and consistent transcriptional activity (10-15%) even at 0 degrees C. But, similar to the enzyme from the mesophilic bacterium, the RNA polymerase from P. syringae exhibited optimum activity at 37 degrees C. The study also demonstrates that the RNA polymerase of P. syringae could preferentially transcribe the cold-inducible gene cspA of E. coli only at lower temperatures (0-22 degrees C). The polymerase was also observed to be relatively more rifampicin-resistant during transcription at lower temperature.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Plasma membrane-associated protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in hamster spermatozoa.

Plasma membranes of caput and cauda epididymal spermatozoa of hamster exhibited protein phosphatase activity. This membrane-associated protein phosphatase was identified as a protein tyrosine phosphatase based on its ability to hydrolyse a substrate specific for PTPase, by inhibition of its activity with a specific inhibitor of PTPase (sodium orthovanadate) and by the inability to inhibit its activity with calyculin, okadaic acid, trifluoperazine, calcium, EGTA, and EDTA, which are specific inhibitors of other protein phosphatases, namely PP-1, PP-2A, PP-2B, and PP-2C respectively. The specific activity of the protein tyrosine phosphatase both in the caput and cauda epididymal sperm plasma membranes was similar, implying that the enzyme may not be solely responsible for the differential phosphorylation of membrane proteins observed during maturation (Uma Devi et al. 1997. Mol Reprod Dev 47:341-350). Thus the significance of the PTPase activity in epididymal maturation still remains to be determined. The membrane-associated PTPase may not be essential for acquisition of motility. However, it appears that the activity is essential for the sustenance of motility since sodium orthovanadate, which specifically inhibits PTPase activity, also inhibits motility of spermatozoa and decreases the overall velocity of the spermatozoa by decreasing the average path velocity, straight line velocity, curvilinear velocity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement of the treated spermatozoa.

Animals↗

Transcriptional activity at supraoptimal temperature of growth in the antarctic psychrotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae.

Transcriptional activity was monitored in cells of the Antarctic psychrotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae (Lz4W), which does not grow above 30 degrees C. It was observed that the bacterium was capable of synthesising RNA at a temperature range of 0-37 degrees C, both in vitro and in vivo. The net incorporation of the radioactive precursor, [3H]uridine, into RNA was found to be affected at 37 degrees C. A pulse-chase experiment following a 32P labeling of RNA in vivo indicated that the ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) degrade faster at and above 30 degrees C. It was also found that the increased ribonuclease (RNase) activity at high temperature might be responsible for this degradation. The attack on ribosomal RNAs by RNase took place after their assembly into ribosomal particles. It is suggested that the degradation of rRNAs at supraoptimal temperatures might be a detrimental factor for growth above 30 degrees C.

Animals↗

31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies on the Phosphorus-Containing Metabolites of the Developing Embryos of a Freshwater Catfish, Clarias batrachus (L.).

: Changes in the phosphorus-containing metabolites were monitored by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance in the developing embryos of Clarias batrachus. Phosphomonoester, yolk phosphoprotein, phosphocreatine, ATP, and inorganic phosphate (Pi) were consistently observed in all the developmental stages of C. batrachus. None of these phosphometabolites exhibited any significant change in their concentration up to the blastula stage, whereas distinct decrease in all except inorganic phosphate was observed in the fry stage. Concomitantly an increase in the concentration of inorganic phosphate was observed. Further, from the resonance positions of alpha, beta, and gamma phosphate groups of ATP, it was evident that the ATP molecules in vivo were liganded either to Ca2+ or Mg2+. This study also revealed that the intracellular pH of the developing embryos was approximately 7.05 up to the gastrula stage, after which it decreased in the fry stage to 6.98 units.

Journal Article↗

Pentoxifylline-stimulated capacitation and acrosome reaction in hamster spermatozoa: involvement of intracellular signalling molecules.

We investigated the role of cAMP/cGMP, protein kinases and intracellular calcium ( [Ca2+]i) in pentoxifylline-stimulated hamster sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction (AR) in vitro. Treatment with pentoxifylline (0.45 mM) initially increased sperm cAMP values 2.8-fold, compared with untreated controls (396 +/- 9.2 versus 141 +/- 6.0 fmoles/10(6) spermatozoa; mean +/- SEM, n = 6) after 15 min, although by 3 h, cAMP values were similar (503-531 fmoles/10(6) spermatozoa). cGMP values ( approximately 27 fmoles/10(6) spermatozoa) were the same in treated and control spermatozoa. Both sperm capacitation and the AR, determined from the absence of an acrosomal cap, were stimulated by pentoxifylline; these were almost completely inhibited by a Cl-/ HCO3- antiporter inhibitor (4,4-diisothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2 disulphonic acid; 1 mM) defined from the degree of sperm motility and by a protein kinase A inhibitor (H89; 10 microM). A protein kinase C inhibitor (staurosporine, 1 nM) did not affect pentoxifylline-stimulated capacitation but inhibited the AR by 50%. A protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor (tyrphostin A-47, 0.1 mM) had no effect on either pentoxifylline-stimulated capacitation or AR. A phospholipase A2 inhibitor (aristolochic acid, 0.4 mM) markedly inhibited the pentoxifylline-stimulated AR but not capacitation. When intracellular sperm calcium [Ca2+/-]i was measured using fura-2-AM, there was an early rise (271 nM at 0.5 h) in pentoxifylline-treated spermatozoa; this appeared to be due to intracellular mobilization rather than to uptake. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, sperm motility was maintained in the presence of pentoxifylline, but capacitation did not occur; spermatozoa exhibited a low level of hyperactivated motility and had a poor rate of AR (20.5 +/- 2.3%). These results suggest that: (i) the pentoxifylline-stimulated early onset of sperm capacitation may be mediated by an early rise in cAMP and [Ca2+/-]i and involves protein kinase A activity; and (ii) pentoxifylline-stimulated AR may require phospholipase A2 and protein kinase C activity.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Histidine utilisation operon (hut) is upregulated at low temperature in the antarctic psychrotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae.

The antarctic psychrotrophic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae was mutagenised using a transposon Tn5-OT182 which facilitates identification of promoter fusions expressing the reporter gene (lacZ) for beta-galactosidase. Most mutants expressed beta-galactosidase both at optimal growth temperature (20-22 degrees C) and at low temperature (4 degrees C). But a small percentage of the mutants (approximately 5%) were unique in that they expressed beta-galactosidase activity predominantly at low temperature. One such mutant was found to have an insertion in the gene for urocanase (hutU) of the histidine utilisation (hut) operon. Direct assay of urocanase and histidase activity in wild-type cells of various antarctic psychrotrophic strains including P. syringae, P. fluorescens and P. putida also suggested that the hut operon is expressed at an elevated level at low temperature.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of storage on protein concentration of tear samples.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of storage on protein concentration of tear samples stored at room temperature (RT), 4 degrees C, -20 degrees C and -70 degrees C. METHODS: Total protein concentration of closed, open (basal tears) and reflex tears (stimulated tears) was measured by modified Bradford's method. SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis was used to determine the intensity of protein bands. Quantity of various tear proteins was determined by HPLC analysis. RESULTS: Compared to control samples (0 h) protein concentrations decreased significantly in tear samples stored beyond 4 h (for closed) and 8 h (for open and reflex) at RT. However, no significant change in protein concentrations was observed in closed and reflex tears when stored up to 1 week at 4 degrees C, up to 2 months at -20 degrees C; and up to 4 months at -70 degrees C. Multiple freeze-thaw procedures (6 x per day at 2 h intervals) resulted in 8% decrease (at -20 degrees C) and 10% decrease (at -70 degrees C) of protein concentrations in closed eye tears. SDS-PAGE analysis of tear samples stored at -20 degrees C and -70 degrees C for 4 months greatly affected the intensity of the protein bands. HPLC analysis of tear samples stored at these conditions showed the significant reduction in the peak corresponding to secretory IgA in closed eye tears and a split in the peak corresponding to lysozyme in case of reflex tears. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in the total protein concentration, intensity of the protein bands as well as changes in the quantity of tear proteins were observed in the tear samples stored for longer duration of time at various temperatures.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

HPLC analysis of closed, open, and reflex eye tear proteins.

Changes in the closed, open and reflex eye tear proteins of normal subjects were compared and analysed. Tear proteins were resolved by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) utilising both gel filtration (P-300 SW) and reverse-phase (C-18) columns and the HPLC fractions were further analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under reducing and non-reducing conditions. The protein composition of the closed-eye tear was significantly different from that of the open and reflex-eye tear. Secretory IgA (sIgA) was the predominant protein in closed eye tears constituting 49% of the total protein compared to 11% in reflex tears, whereas lysozyme was the predominant protein (53%) in reflex tears. Levels of lactoferrin, lipocalin and lysozyme were relatively constant in both open and reflex tears. HPLC profiles of the closed-eye tears, upon continuous stimulation of lacrimal glands indicated that sIgA was significantly reduced whereas lactoferrin, lipocalin, and lysozyme were significantly increased. These results indicate that the tear composition upon waking attains that of the open eye within 4 to 5 minutes, and upon continuous stimulation this reflects the reflex-eye tear composition. It also indicates that mechanisms responsible for changes in concentration of constitutive and regulated tear protein with stimulus can be studied successfully using non-invasive methods to collect human tears.

Adult↗

Carotenoid pigments of an antarctic psychrotrophic bacterium Micrococcus roseus: temperature dependent biosynthesis, structure, and interaction with synthetic membranes.

Pigmentation in a psychrotrophic M.roseus was found to be increased when the bacteria were grown at 5 degrees C as compared to its pigmentation at 25 degrees C. In addition more polar pigments were synthesised at low temperature. The pigments were identified as bacterioruberins and were demonstrated to bind to synthetic membranes of phosphatidylcholine with almost equal affinity, irrespective of the polarity of the pigments.

Carotenoids↗