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. 1990 Mar;172(3):1321–1326. doi: 10.1128/jb.172.3.1321-1326.1990

Isolation of a Rhodobacter capsulatus mutant that lacks c-type cytochromes and excretes porphyrins.

S W Biel 1, A J Biel 1
PMCID: PMC208601  PMID: 2155198

Abstract

A Rhodobacter capsulatus mutant lacking cytochrome oxidase activity was isolated by Tn5 mutagenesis. Difference spectroscopy of crude extracts and extracted c-type cytochromes demonstrated that this mutant completely lacked all c-type cytochromes. The strain did, however, synthesize normal amounts of b-type cytochromes and nonheme iron. This mutant also excreted large amounts of coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin and synthesized reduced amounts of bacteriochlorophyll, suggesting a link between the synthesis of c-type cytochromes and the expression of the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway.

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Selected References

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