Microbial Metabolism of Reduced Phosphorus Compounds.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- White, Andrea K.; Metcalf, William W.
- Source
- Annual Review of Microbiology. 2007, Vol. 61 Issue 1, p379-400. 22p. 7 Diagrams.
- Subject
- *BACTERIAL metabolism
*PHOSPHORUS compounds
*HYPOPHOSPHITES
*PHOSPHINE
*PHOSPHORUS cycle (Biogeochemistry)
*BIOCHEMISTRY
- Language
- ISSN
- 0066-4227
The field of bacterial phosphorus (P) metabolism has undergone a significant transformation in the past decade owing to the elucidation of widespread and diverse pathways for the metabolism of reduced P compounds. The characterization of these pathways dramatically changes the current and narrow view of P metabolism and our understanding of the forms in which P is produced and available in the environment. In this review, recent investigations into the biochemical pathways and molecular genetics of reduced P metabolism in bacteria are discussed. Particular attention is paid to recently elucidated metabolic reactions and the genetic characterization of biosynthesis of organic reduced P compounds and to the pathways for oxidation of the inorganic reduced P compounds hypophosphite and phosphite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]