Article

Microbial metabolism of reduced phosphorus compounds.

Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Chico, California 95928-0515, USA.
Annual Review of Microbiology (impact factor: 14.35). 02/2007; 61:379-400. DOI:10.1146/annurev.micro.61.080706.093357 pp.379-400
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT The field of bacterial phosphorus (P) metabolism has undergone a significant transformation in the past decade owing to the elucidation of widespread and diverse pathways for the metabolism of reduced P compounds. The characterization of these pathways dramatically changes the current and narrow view of P metabolism and our understanding of the forms in which P is produced and available in the environment. In this review, recent investigations into the biochemical pathways and molecular genetics of reduced P metabolism in bacteria are discussed. Particular attention is paid to recently elucidated metabolic reactions and the genetic characterization of biosynthesis of organic reduced P compounds and to the pathways for oxidation of the inorganic reduced P compounds hypophosphite and phosphite.

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Keywords

bacterial phosphorus
 
biochemical pathways
 
characterization
 
diverse pathways
 
elucidated metabolic reactions
 
elucidation
 
genetic characterization
 
inorganic
 
metabolism
 
narrow view
 
organic
 
oxidation
 
P compounds
 
P compounds hypophosphite
 
P metabolism
 
Particular attention
 
pathways
 
phosphite
 
significant transformation
 
widespread
 

Andrea K White