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Identification of methyl coenzyme M as an intermediate in methanogenesis from acetate in Methanosarcina spp

Journal Article · · J. Bacteriol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6187051
The transfer of the methyl group of acetate to coenzyme M (2-mercaptoethanesulfonic acid; HS-CoM) during the metabolism of acetate to methane was investigated in cultures of Methanosarcina strain TM-1. The organism metabolized CD/sub 3/COO/sup -/ to 83% CD/sub 3/H and 17% CD/sub 2/H/sub 2/ and produced no CDH/sub 3/ or CH/sub 4/. The isotopic composition of coenzyme M in cells grown on CD/sub 3/COO/sup -/ was analyzed with a novel gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. The cells contained CD/sub 3/-S-CoM and CD/sub 2/H-S-CoM) in a proportion similar to that of CD/sub 3/H to CD/sub 2/H/sub 2/. These results, in conjunction with a report that extracts of acetate-grown strain TM-1 contain high levels of CH/sub 3/-S-CoM methylreductase, indicate that CH/sub 3/-S-CoM is an intermediate in the metabolism of acetate to methane in this organism.
Research Organization:
Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg
OSTI ID:
6187051
Journal Information:
J. Bacteriol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Bacteriol.; (United States) Vol. 160:2; ISSN JOBAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English