Bioenergetics of methanogenesis from acetate by Methanosarcina barkeri

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · J. Bacteriol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6783521

Peinemann, S; Mueller, V; Blaut, M; Gottschalk, G

Methane formation from acetate by resting cells of Methanosarcina barkeri was accompanied by an increase in the intracellular ATP content from 0.9 to 4.0 nmol/mg of protein. Correspondingly, the proton motive force increased to a steady-state level of -120mV. The transmembrane pH gradient, however, was reversed under these conditions and amounted to +20mV. The addition of the protonophore 3,5,3',4'-tetrachlorosalicylanilide led to a drastic decrease in the proton motive force and in the intracellular ATP content and to an inhibition of methane formation. The ATPase inhibitor N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide stopped methanogenesis, and the intracellular ATP content decreased. The proton motive force decreased also under these conditions, indicating that the proton motive force could not be generated from acetate without ATP. The overall process of methane formation from acetate was dependent on the presence of sodium ions; upon addition of acetate to cell suspensions of M. barkeri, a transmembrane Na/sup +/ gradient in the range of 4:1 (Na/sup +//sub out//Na/sup +//sub in/) was established. Possible sites of involvement of the Na/sup +/ gradient in the conversion of acetate to methane and carbon dioxide are discussed. Na/sup +/ is not involved in the CO dehydrogenase reaction.

• Research Organization: Universitaet Goettingen (West Germany)
• OSTI ID: 6783521
• Journal Information: J. Bacteriol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Bacteriol.; (United States) Vol. 170:3; ISSN JOBAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ACETATES
ACID ANHYDRASES
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
ATP
ATP-ASE
BACTERIA
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOCONVERSION
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CATIONS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DIGESTION
ENZYME INHIBITORS
ENZYMES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROLASES
IONS
KINETICS
MANAGEMENT
METHANE
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
NUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHOHYDROLASES
PROCESSING
REACTION KINETICS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING