The Proteome of Rhodopseudomonas palustris Revealed by Pressure Cycling Technology (PCT) and Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis - 03/02/06

Rhodopseudomonas palustris is a Gram negative, purple, non-sulfur, phototropic bacterium, and is a metabolically versatile microbe. The bacterium can grow in the presence or absence of oxygen. In response to environmental changes, it can engage in alternative metabolic processes for cellular respiration. R. palustris can degrade the aromatic compounds comprising lignin, the second most abundant natural polymer. As such, it is being investigated for its potential in the removal of environmental pollutants [1]. The genome of R. palustris has been sequenced and annotated [2]. It follows that the analysis of this microorganism’s proteome has become an active area of research. Reliable proteomic analysis is contingent on the efficiency by which cells are lysed and their protein constituents released. Standard technique to efficiently lyse Gram-negative bacteria requires mechanical disruption of the cell, and either enzymatic or chemical breakdown of the cell wall.