Two Putative c -Type Multiheme Cytochromes Required for the Expression of OmcB, an Outer Membrane Protein Essential for Optimal Fe(III) Reduction in Geobacter sulfurreducens

Deletion of two homologous Geobacter sulfurreducens c-type cytochrome genes, omcG and omcH, decreased the rate of Fe(III) reduction and decreased the level of an outer membrane cytochrome critical for Fe(III) reduction, OmcB, without affecting its transcription. Expression of either gene restored Fe(III) reduction and OmcB expression, suggesting functional similarity.