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doi: 10.1126/science.1197258. Epub 2010 Dec 2.
RETRACTED: A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus
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- PMID:21127214
- DOI: 10.1126/science.1197258
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RETRACTED: A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus
Felisa Wolfe-Simon et al. Science..
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- Retraction.Thorp HH.Thorp HH.Science. 2025 Jul 24;389(6758):357. doi: 10.1126/science.adu5488. Epub 2025 Jul 24.Science. 2025.PMID:40705905No abstract available.
Abstract
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.
Comment in
- What job can a bug give? A controversy over the arsenic-guzzling bacterium cultured by NASA.Sun M, Vavricka CJ, Zhu B.Sun M, et al.Protein Cell. 2011 Apr;2(4):261-3. doi: 10.1007/s13238-011-1044-z.Protein Cell. 2011.PMID:21533770Free PMC article.No abstract available.
- Comment on "A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus".Cotner JB, Hall EK.Cotner JB, et al.Science. 2011 Jun 3;332(6034):1149; author reply 1149. doi: 10.1126/science.1201943. Epub 2011 May 27.Science. 2011.PMID:21622705
- Comment on "A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus".Redfield RJ.Redfield RJ.Science. 2011 Jun 3;332(6034):1149; author reply 1149. doi: 10.1126/science.1201482. Epub 2011 May 27.Science. 2011.PMID:21622706
- Comment on "A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus".Schoepp-Cothenet B, Nitschke W, Barge LM, Ponce A, Russell MJ, Tsapin AI.Schoepp-Cothenet B, et al.Science. 2011 Jun 3;332(6034):1149; author reply 1149. doi: 10.1126/science.1201438. Epub 2011 May 27.Science. 2011.PMID:21622707
- Comment on "A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus".Csabai I, Szathmáry E.Csabai I, et al.Science. 2011 Jun 3;332(6034):1149; author reply 1149. doi: 10.1126/science.1201399. Epub 2011 May 27.Science. 2011.PMID:21622708
- Comment on "A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus".Oehler S.Oehler S.Science. 2011 Jun 3;332(6034):1149; author reply 1149. doi: 10.1126/science.1201381. Epub 2011 May 27.Science. 2011.PMID:21622709
- Comment on "A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus".Borhani DW.Borhani DW.Science. 2011 Jun 3;332(6034):1149; author reply 1149. doi: 10.1126/science.1201255. Epub 2011 May 27.Science. 2011.PMID:21622711
- Comment on "A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus".Benner SA.Benner SA.Science. 2011 Jun 3;332(6034):1149; author reply 1149. doi: 10.1126/science.1201304. Epub 2011 May 27.Science. 2011.PMID:21622712
- Comment on "A bacterium that can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus".Foster PL.Foster PL.Science. 2011 Jun 3;332(6034):1149; author reply 1149. doi: 10.1126/science.1201551. Epub 2011 May 27.Science. 2011.PMID:21622713
- Microbiology. Concerns about arsenic-laden bacterium aired.Pennisi E.Pennisi E.Science. 2011 Jun 3;332(6034):1136-7. doi: 10.1126/science.332.6034.1136.Science. 2011.PMID:21636751No abstract available.
- Editor's note.Alberts B.Alberts B.Science. 2011 Jun 3;332(6034):1149. doi: 10.1126/science.1208877.Science. 2011.PMID:21636758No abstract available.
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