A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus

doi:10.1126/science.1197258

Paper

A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus

Published Jun 3, 2011 · F. Wolfe-Simon, P. Weber, S. Hoeft

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24

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Abstract

Evidence is offered for arsenate replacing phosphate as a molecular building block in a Mono Lake, California, bacterium. Life is mostly composed of the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus. Although these six elements make up nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids and thus the bulk of living matter, it is theoretically possible that some other elements in the periodic table could serve the same functions. Here, we describe a bacterium, strain GFAJ-1 of the Halomonadaceae, isolated from Mono Lake, California, that is able to substitute arsenic for phosphorus to sustain its growth. Our data show evidence for arsenate in macromolecules that normally contain phosphate, most notably nucleic acids and proteins. Exchange of one of the major bio-elements may have profound evolutionary and geochemical importance.

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Study Snapshot

A Mono Lake, California, bacterium can sustain its growth by substituting arsenic for phosphorus, potentially impacting evolutionary and geochemical processes.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus

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