Beta-D-glucopyranosyl caldarchaetidylglycerol is the main lipid of the acidophilic, mesophilic, ferrous iron-oxidising archaeon Ferroplasma acidiphilum

Abstract

Chloroform-methanol-extractable lipids account for about 5% by weight of dry cells of the acidophilic, autotrophic, mesophilic, ferrous compound-oxidising, cell wall-less archaeon Ferroplasma acidiphilum strain Y(T), about 90% of these being contributed by phospholipids and glycophospholipids. The most abundant constituent (about 55% of total lipids) was purified by DEAE cellulose and silica gel column chromatography. By means of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and chemical degradation experiments it was established to be beta-D-glucopyranosyl caldarchaetidylglycerol, the isopranyl chains of which have a cyclopentane ring each.