Formation of Uranium Nanoparticles by Shewanella oneidensis
Author Information
Author(s): Marshall Matthew J, Beliaev Alexander S, Dohnalkova Alice C, Kennedy David W, Shi Liang, Wang Zheming, Boyanov Maxim I, Lai Barry, Kemner Kenneth M, McLean Jeffrey S, Reed Samantha B, Culley David E, Bailey Vanessa L, Simonson Cody J, Saffarini Daad A, Romine Margaret F, Zachara John M, Fredrickson James K
Primary Institution: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Hypothesis
c-type cytochromes of Shewanella oneidensis are essential for the reduction of U(VI) and formation of extracellular UO2 nanoparticles.
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that c-type cytochromes are crucial for the reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) and the formation of UO2 nanoparticles in Shewanella oneidensis.
Supporting Evidence
- The study shows that the deletion of specific cytochrome genes significantly slowed U(VI) reduction rates.
- Wild-type Shewanella oneidensis reduced U(VI) completely within 24 hours, while mutants took longer.
- Electron transfer assays indicated that MtrC can function as a terminal reductase for uranium.
Takeaway
Bacteria can help clean up uranium pollution by turning it into tiny particles that are less harmful. This study shows how specific proteins in the bacteria do this job.
Methodology
The study used genetic, immunological, and microscopic analyses, including targeted gene deletion and high-resolution microscopy.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.005
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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