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Autotrophic synthesis of activated acetic acid from two CO2 inMethanobacterium thermoautotrophicum

I. Properties of in vitro system

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Abstract

An in vitro system of autotropic synthesis of activated acetic acid from14CO2 inMethanobacterium thermoautotrophicum was developed.

  1. (1)

    A recognized14CO2-fixation product in vitro was activated [14C] acetic acid. It could be trapped enzymatically into citrate and released again as [14C] acetate by citrate synthase and citrate lyase, respectively.

  2. (2)

    The synthesis of both activated acetic acid and methane from CO2 proceeded in parallel under a variety of conditions. Both of these processes were stimulated greatly and to the same extent by the addition of methyl coenzyme M to the assay.

  3. (3)

    Various inhibitors of methanogenesis tested also inhibited acetate synthesis, e.g. CH2Cl2, CHCl3, CCl4, N2O, and bromoethane sulfonic acid. Cyanide specifically inhibited the synthesis of activated acetic acid, whereas methane formation was unaffected. Cyanide inhibition was relieved by adding CO, whereas the inhibition by the other compounds was not.

The data suggest: The product studied in vitro was acetyl CoA. Its synthesis involves intermediates of CO2 reduction to methane. In addition, a cyanide-sensitive reaction is required which does not participate in CO2 reduction to methane.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung Angewandte Mikrobiologie der Universität, Oberer Eselsberg, D-7900, Ulm, Federal Republic of Germany

    Erhard Stupperich & Georg Fuchs

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  1. Erhard Stupperich
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  2. Georg Fuchs
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Stupperich, E., Fuchs, G. Autotrophic synthesis of activated acetic acid from two CO2 inMethanobacterium thermoautotrophicum . Arch. Microbiol. 139, 8–13 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00692704

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00692704

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