Microbial Sulfur Metabolism [Paperback]

This revealing book details recent developments in the study of the relationship between sulfur and the microbial agents that affect its metabolism. In recent years, new methods have been applied to study the biochemistry and molecular biology of reactions of the global sulfur cycle, the microorganisms involved and their physiology, metabolism and ecology. These activities have uncovered fascinating new insights for the understanding of aerobic and anaerobic sulfur metabolism.

In nature, sulfur occurs in many different oxidation states and is one of the most versatile elements in life. It is an integral part of many important cell constituents, such as the amino acids cysteine and methionine, and many sulfur compounds serve as the basis for energy-related processes in prokaryotes. In recent years, new methods have been applied to study the biochemistry and molecular biology of reactions of the global sulfur cycle, the microorganisms involved and their physiology, metabolism and ecology. These activities have uncovered fascinating new insights for the understanding of aerobic and anaerobic sulfur metabolism.

Genetics and Genomics of Sulfate Respiration in Desulfovibrio.- Living on Sulfate: Three-Dimensional Structure and Spectroscopy of Adenosine 5?-Phosphosulfate Reductase and Dissimilatory Sulfite Reductase.- Respiratory Membrane Complexes of Desulfovibrio.- Biochemical and Evolutionary Aspects of Eukaryotes That Inhabit Sulfidic Environments.- Evolution and Ecology of Microbes Dissimilating Sulfur Compounds: Insights from Siroheme Sulfite Reductases.- Genomic and Evolutionary Perspectives on Sulfur Metabolism in Green Sulfur Bacteria.- Differential-Expression Proteomics for the Study of Sulfur Metabolism in the Chemolithoautotrophic Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.- Sulfur and Light? History and Thiology of the Phototrophic Sulfur Bacteria.- Thiosulfate and Sulfur Oxidation in Purple Sulfur Bacteria.- Sulfur Oxidation in Chlorolch