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The effect of salt on the lipid composition of Ectothiorhodospira

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Abstract

Major components of polar lipids of halophilic phototrophic Ectothiorhodospira species were PG, CL, PC and PE. PA was only present in minor amounts. According to 14C-incorporation, polar lipids approximated to 75%–93% of the total lipid carbon. With increasing salinity, a strong increase in the portion of PG and a decrease in that of PE (especially in Ectothiorhodospira mobilis BN 9903) and CL (especially in E. halophila strains) were observed. Moreover, there was a significant increase in the excess negative charges of phospholipids upon increasing medium salinity. This increase was most dramatic in the slightly halophilic E. mobilis BN 9903, but quantitatively less important in both strains of E. halophila which had, however, a higher percentage of negative charges of their lipids. During salt-shift experiments, E. halophila BN 9630 responded to suddenly increased salinity by promoting the biosynthesis of PG and decreasing that of PC, CL and PE. Upon dilution stress, responses were reversed and resulted in a strong increase in PE biosynthesis. The effects of lipid charges and bilayer forming forces in stabilizing the membranes of Ectothiorhodospira species during salt stress are discussed.

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Abbreviations

PC:

phosphatidylcholine

PG, PG-1, PG-2:

phosphatidylglycerol

CL, CL-1, Cl-2:

cardiolipin

PE:

phosphatidylethanol-amine

PA:

phosphatidic acid

NL:

nonpolar lipids

ori:

origin

TLC:

thin layer chromatography

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  1. Institut für Mikrobiologie und Biotechnologie der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 168, W-5300, Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany

    Bernhard Thiemann & Johannes F. Imhoff

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  1. Bernhard Thiemann
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  2. Johannes F. Imhoff
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Thiemann, B., Imhoff, J.F. The effect of salt on the lipid composition of Ectothiorhodospira . Arch. Microbiol. 156, 376–384 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00248714

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