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Review

Siderophores in fluorescent pseudomonads: new tricks from an old dog

    Dimitris Mossialos

    † Author for correspondence

    University of Thessaly, Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, GR-41221 Larissa, Greece.

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    Email the corresponding author at mosial@bio.uth.gr

    &
    Grigoris D Amoutzias

    University of Lausanne, Department of Ecology & Evolution, Biophore, CH-1015, Switzerland and, Institute of Agrobiotechnology, Center For Research & Technology – Hellas, 6th Km Charilaou–Thermi Rd, PO Box 361, 570 01 Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece.

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    Email the corresponding author at grigoris.amoutzias@unil.ch

    Published Online:8 Aug 2007https://doi.org/10.2217/17460913.2.4.387

    Abstract

    Iron is an essential nutrient for almost all bacteria; however, at neutral pH its bioavailability is limited. Siderophores are iron-binding compounds of low molecular weight that enable the microorganisms that produce them to obtain the necessary iron from the environment. Fluorescent pseudomonads include those that are plant growth promoting, human and plant pathogens, as well as bacteria involved in the biodegradation of xenobiotics. Although pyoverdine is the main siderophore produced by different fluorescent pseudomonads, other siderophores produced by fluorescent pseudomonads include pyochelin, (thio)quinolobactin and pyridine-2, 6-bis thiocarboxylic acid. Research on siderophores continues to reveal new information on their regulation, biosynthesis, function and properties. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the field, particularly on newly characterized siderophores produced by fluorescent pseudomonads and their biotechnological potential.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as either of interest (•) or of considerable interest (••) to readers.

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