Biomedical
Carbonic anhydrase production by Pseudomonas fragi
Andrzej Tietz,
Małgorzata M. Jaworska
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
Carbonic anhydrase is an important enzyme that can play a significant role in the processes of lowering carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. The aim of the work was to investigate the extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) production by the bacteria Pseudomonas fragi. In the research, we focused on the evaluation of the phase of bacterial growth correlated with carbonic anhydrase production and on the evaluation of induction of CA production by calcium carbonate concentration in the nutrient medium. Presented data indicated that calcium carbonate can serve as the only carbon source for Pseudomonas fragi, inducing carbonic anhydrase secretion to culture broth. The enzyme was produced mainly in the adaptation growth phase reaching the maximal activity at the end of this phase or at the beginning of the growth phase. The maximal enzyme activity detected in all batches was at a similar level. The enzyme activity was constant but lower in the exponential phase growth. Therefore, the enzyme production is not growth-dependent, but it is correlated with bacteria adaptation to cultivation conditions.
Key Questions
1. What is carbonic anhydrase, and why is it important?
Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate and a proton. This reaction is crucial in various physiological processes, including respiration, acid-base balance, and ion transport. In bacteria, carbonic anhydrases play a role in carbon fixation and pH regulation.
2. What is *Pseudomonas fragi*, and where is it commonly found?
*Pseudomonas fragi* is a bacterium commonly found in soil and water environments. It is known for its ability to degrade various organic compounds and is often studied for its role in the nitrogen cycle and its potential in bioremediation.
3. How does *Pseudomonas fragi* produce carbonic anhydrase?
The study indicates that *Pseudomonas fragi* produces carbonic anhydrase extracellularly when cultured in the presence of calcium carbonate. The enzyme production is induced by calcium carbonate and is not directly dependent on the bacterial growth phase.
4. What is the significance of calcium carbonate in this study?
Calcium carbonate serves as the sole carbon source for *Pseudomonas fragi* in the study. Its presence induces the secretion of carbonic anhydrase into the culture medium, highlighting the bacterium's adaptation to utilizing calcium carbonate as a carbon source.
5. How does the growth phase of *Pseudomonas fragi* affect carbonic anhydrase production?
The study found that carbonic anhydrase production occurs mainly during the adaptation growth phase, reaching maximal activity at the end of this phase or at the beginning of the growth phase. The enzyme activity was constant but lower during the exponential growth phase, indicating that enzyme production is correlated with bacterial adaptation to cultivation conditions rather than being growth-dependent.
6. What are the potential applications of this research?
Understanding how *Pseudomonas fragi* produces carbonic anhydrase can have applications in biotechnology, such as developing bio-based processes for carbon dioxide sequestration, enhancing soil fertility through microbial activity, and creating environmentally friendly methods for calcium carbonate precipitation.
