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Isolation of cobamides from Methanothrix soehngenii: 5-methylbenzimidazole as the α-ligand of the predominant cobamide

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Abstract

Methanothrix soehngenii was found to contain five different cobamides when grown on vitamin B12 supplemented as well as vitamin B12 free media. In both cases, it was shown by HPLC-chromatography and UV/VIS spectroscopy, that α-5-methylbenzimidazolyl-β-cyanocobamide was the predominant cobamide, accounting for 27% and 23%, respectively, of the total corrinoid content. Vitamin B12 and α-5-hydroxybenzimidazolyl-β-cyanocobamide could also be detected in both cell batches in varying amounts. Cells grown on vitamin B12 free medium contained significantly more baseless cobamides, indicating biosynthesis of cobamides.

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Abbreviations

(5-MeBza)CNCba:

α-5-methylbenzimidazolyl-β-cyanocobamide

(5-HOBza)CNCBa:

α-5-hydroxybenzimidazolyl-β-cyanocobamide (factor III)

(5-MeOBza)CNCba:

α-5-methoxybenzimidazolyl-β-cyanocobamide (factor IIIm)

(Bza)CNCba:

α-benzimidazolyl-β-cyanocobamide

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Author notes

  1. Hans-Peter E. Kohler

    Present address: Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of California, 92521, Riverside, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung für Biotechnologie, EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute for Water Resources and Water Pollution Control, Ueberlandstrasse 133, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland

    Hans-Peter E. Kohler

  2. Institut für Pflanzenbiologie, Abteilung Mikrobiologie, Universität Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008, Zürich, Switzerland

    Hans-Peter E. Kohler

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Kohler, HP.E. Isolation of cobamides from Methanothrix soehngenii: 5-methylbenzimidazole as the α-ligand of the predominant cobamide. Arch. Microbiol. 150, 219–223 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00407783

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00407783

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