Long-distance electron transport in individual, living cable bacteria
Jesper T. Bjerg (Aarhus University)
Henricus T.S. Boschker (TU Delft - Applied Sciences, Universiteit Antwerpen)
Steffen Larsen (Aarhus University)
David Berry (University of Vienna)
Markus Schmid (University of Vienna)
Diego Millo (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Paula Tataru (Aarhus University)
Filip J.R. Meysman (Universiteit Antwerpen, TU Delft - Applied Sciences)
Michael Wagner (University of Vienna)
Lars Peter Nielsen (Aarhus University)
Andreas Schramm (Aarhus University)
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Abstract
Electron transport within living cells is essential for energy conservation in all respiring and photosynthetic organisms. While a few bacteria transport electrons over micrometer distances to their surroundings, filaments of cable bacteria are hypothesized to conduct electric currents over centimeter distances. We used resonance Raman microscopy to analyze cytochrome redox states in living cable bacteria. Cable-bacteria filaments were placed in microscope chambers with sulfide as electron source and oxygen as electron sink at opposite ends. Along individual filaments a gradient in cytochrome redox potential was detected, which immediately broke down upon removal of oxygen or laser cutting of the filaments. Without access to oxygen, a rapid shift toward more reduced cytochromes was observed, as electrons were no longer drained from the filament but accumulated in the cellular cytochromes. These results provide direct evidence for long-distance electron transport in living multicellular bacteria.