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Survival and exopolysaccharide production in Sinorhizobium meliloti WSM419 are affected by calcium and low pH

Andrew R. Glenn

Centre for Rhizobium Studies, Division of Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Perth, Western Australia 6150

Author for correspondence: Michael J. Dilworth. Tel: -61 8 9360 2112. Fax: -61 8 9360 6486. e-mail: dilworth@central.murdoch.edu.au

ABSTRACT

Cells of Sinorhizobium meliloti WSM419 showed an adaptive acid-tolerance response when grown at pH 5·8 instead of pH 7·0. Increasing concentrations of calcium in the exposure medium significantly decreased the death rate of WSM419 cells under conditions of acid stress (pH 4·0). The effect of calcium on survival at pH 4·0 however, appears unconnected to exopolysaccharide (EPS), since a strain with a mutation in exoY (Rm0540) responded to calcium in the exposure medium in the same way as its wild-type parent (Rm2011). The concentration of calcium in the growth medium also affected subsequent survival at pH 4·0, and the effect varied with pH. In cells grown at pH 5·8, higher calcium concentrations also markedly increased the rate of synthesis of EPS; this was not seen in cells grown at pH 7·0. ¹H NMR spectra for isolated EPS from WSM419 cultures grown at pH 5·8 and pH 7·0 showed that low pH markedly lowered the degree of substitution with acetyl and pyruvyl groups, but not the degree of substitution with succinyl groups; calcium concentration did not affect the pattern of substitution at either pH. For EPS to be involved in the effect of calcium concentration in the growth medium on survival would imply a deleterious effect of the EPS produced at low pH.

Present address: Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.

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