A marine maganese-oxidizing strain. Bacillus sp. SG-1

Bacillus sp. SG-1. This strain was isolated from a near-shore sediment enrichment culture. It has been extensively studied for its ability to oxidize Mn(II) and Co(II). The spores of this organism catalyze Mn(II) and Co(II) oxidation under environmentally relevant pH, temperature, and metal concentration conditions. The spores also bind a variety of other heavy metals, such as Cd and Zn. Mn(II)-oxidizing activity is located on the spore coats and is catalyzed by a protein. Recent evidence suggests that a spore surface protein related to the multicopper oxidase family of proteins is involved in Mn(II) oxidation. Consistent with this idea, low amounts of Cu(II) stimulate Mn(II) oxidation.