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Growth inhibition of Clostridium thermocellum by carboxylic acids: A mechanism based on uncoupling by weak acids

  • Applied Microbiology
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Summary

The inhibition of Clostridium thermocellum strains by acetate and other organic acids (propionate, butyrate) can be explained by a model based on the chemiosmotic theory and uncoupler action. It is proposed that the charged permeant species in the process of anion exclusion is the dimer HA 2- . Evidence for this mechanisms is provided by 31P-NMR studies of whole cells and cell extracts.

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Abbreviations

CM4-Cb:

CM4-cellobiose

EPC50 :

equipotency concentration

P m :

bilayer partition coefficient

ka:

acid dissociation constant

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Author notes

  1. Alejandro A. Herrero

    Present address: Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA

  2. Reinaldo F. Gomez & Brad Snedecor

    Present address: Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02 139, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Alejandro A. Herrero, Reinaldo F. Gomez & Brad Snedecor

  2. Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Cynthia J. Tolman & Mary F. Roberts

Authors
  1. Alejandro A. Herrero
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  2. Reinaldo F. Gomez
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  3. Brad Snedecor
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  4. Cynthia J. Tolman
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  5. Mary F. Roberts
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Herrero, A.A., Gomez, R.F., Snedecor, B. et al. Growth inhibition of Clostridium thermocellum by carboxylic acids: A mechanism based on uncoupling by weak acids. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 22, 53–62 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00252157

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00252157

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