During stationary phase, group members of Serratia produce prodigiosins that contain pyrrole

Considering its structural relatedness to other pyrrole-containing molecules of known function (e.g., chlorophylls, bacteriochlorophylls, porphyrins), propose a potential ecological role for these compounds in soil where they are involved in something other than photosynthesis.
What will be an ideal response?


Answer: Answers will vary but should focus on electron transfer mechanisms that pyrrole rings provide to prodigiosins. For example, cells producing them may be able to use electrons from metals in the soil to facilitate oxidative damage to other neighboring cells and establish its niche. The compounds, being either reduced or oxidized, might also be able to tell the cells the type of environmental conditions they are in and coordinate other physiologies accordingly.

Biology & Microbiology

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