Pink-Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs

Pink-Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs, commonly abbreviated to PPFMs, are bacteria that are members of the genus Methylobacterium and are commonly found in soil, dust, various fresh water supplies and on plant surfaces.[1] Although Gram negative, Methylobacteria often stain gram variable and are easily isolated using methanol-based mineral medium.[2] Their pigmentation, which is frequently pink but may also be yellow or orange, is thought to provide protection from solar UV radiation which damages the DNA of bacteria at low doses because of their small cell size. This color is present due to the carotenoid pigments within the cell.[3]

  1. ^ Omer ZS, Tombolini R, Gerhardson B (March 2004). "Plant colonization by pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacteria (PPFMs)". FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 47 (3): 319–26. Bibcode:2004FEMME..47..319O. doi:10.1016/S0168-6496(04)00003-0. PMID 19712320.
  2. ^ Green PN (2001). "Methylobacterium". In Dworkin M (ed.). The Prokaryotes: An Evolving Electronic Resource for the Microbiological Community (3rd, release 3.7 ed.). New York: Springer-Verlag.
  3. ^ Kutschera U (March 2007). "Plant-associated methylobacteria as co-evolved phytosymbionts: a hypothesis". Plant Signaling & Behavior. 2 (2): 74–8. doi:10.4161/psb.2.2.4073. PMC 2633902. PMID 19516971.