The identification and biosynthesis of siderochromes formed by Micrococcus denitrificans.

1. Micrococcus denitrificans excretes three catechol-containing compounds, which can bind iron, when grown aerobically and anaerobically in media deficient in iron, and anaerobically in medium with a high concentration of Ca2+. 2. One of these compounds was identified as 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (compound I), and the other two were tentatively identified as N1N8-bis-(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)spermidine (compound II) and 2-hydroxybenzoyl-N-L-threonyl-N4[N1N8-bis-(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)]spermidine (compound III). 3. The equimolar ferric complex of compound III was prepared; compound III also forms complexes with Al3+, Cr3+ and Co2+ ions. 4. Cell-free extracts from iron-deficient organisms catalyse the formation of compound II from 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid and spermidine, and of compound III from compound II, L-threonine and 2-hydroxybenzoic acid; both reactions require ATP and dithiothreitol, and Mg2+ stimulates activity. The enzyme system catalysing the formation of compound II has optimum activity at pH 8.8 Fe2+ (35muM), Fe3+ (35muM) and Al3+ (65muM) inhibit the reaction by 50 percent. The enzyme system forming compound III has optimum activity at pH 8.6. Fe2+ (110 muM), Fe3+ (110 muM) and Al3+ (135 muM) inhibit the reaction by 50 percent. 5. At least two proteins are required for the formation of compound II, and another two proteins for its conversion into compound III. 6. The changes in the activities of these two systems were followed after cultures became deficient in iron. 7. Ferrous 1,10-phenanthroline is formed when a cell-free extract from iron-deficient cells is incubated with the ferric complex of compound III, succinate, NADH and 1,10-phenanthroline under N2.