Metabolism of one-carbon compounds by the ruminal acetogan syntrophococcus sucromutans

Journal Article · Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA)

OSTI ID:6873719

Dore, J; Bryant, M P ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Illinois, Urbana (USA)

Syntrophococcus sucromutans is the predominant species capable of O demethylation of methoxylated lignin monoaromatic derivatives in the rumen. The enzymatic characterization of this acetogen indicated that it uses the acetyl coenzyme A (Woods) pathway. Cell extracts possess all the enzymes of the tetrahydrofolate pathway, as well as carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, at levels similar to those of other acetogens using this pathway. However, formate dehydrogenase could not be detected in cell extracts, whether formate or a methoxyaromatic was used as electron acceptor for growth of the cells on cellobiose. Labeled bicarbonate, formate, (1-{sup 14}C) pyruvate, and chemically synthesized O-(methyl-{sup 14}C) vanillate were used to further investigate the catabolism of one-carbon (C{sub 1}) compounds by using washed-cell preparations. The results were consistent with little or no contribution of formate dehydrogenase and pointed out some unique features. Conversion of formate to CO{sub 2} was detected, but labeled formate predominantly labeled the methyl group of acetate. Labeled CO{sub 2} readily exchanged with the carboxyl group of pyruvate but not with formate, and both labeled CO{sub 2} and pyruvate predominantly labeled the carboxyl group acetate. No CO{sub 2} was formed from O demethylation of vanillate, and the acetate produced was position labeled in the methyl group. The fermentation pattern and specific activities of products indicated a complete synthesis of acetate from pyruvate and the methoxyl group of vanillate.

• OSTI ID: 6873719
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA), Vol. 56:4; ISSN 0099-2240
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BACTERIA
PHYSIOLOGY
CARBON COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
ACETATES
BIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CELLOBIOSE
FERMENTATION
FORMATES
LIGNIN
OXIDOREDUCTASES
PYRUVIC ACID
TRACER TECHNIQUES
BIOCONVERSION
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DISACCHARIDES
ENZYMES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
KETO ACIDS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MICROORGANISMS
OLIGOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
550501* - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques