Geobacter metallireducens GS-15

Geobacter metallireducens (strain GS-15 / ATCC 53774 / DSM 7210) was isolated in the Potomac river just downstream from Washington D.C. in 1987. It is able to gain energy through the dissimilatory reduction of iron, manganese, uranium and other metals. In addition, G. metallireducens can oxidize several short chain fatty acids, alcohols and monoaromatic compounds including toluene and phenol with iron as the sole electron acceptor. Therefore, it is a possible agent for bioremediation. Geobacter metallireducens specifically expresses flagella and pili, only when grown on insoluble Fe(III) or Mn(IV) oxide, and is chemotactic towards Fe(II) and Mn(II) under these conditions. These results suggest that it senses when soluble electron acceptors are depleted and then synthesizes the appropriate appendages to search for, and establish contact with, insoluble Fe(III) or Mn(IV) oxide. (EBI Integr8)