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Mechanism of acetate oxidation to CO2 with elemental sulfur in Desulfuromonas acetoxidans

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Abstract

The strict anaerobe Desulfuromonas acetoxidans can oxidize acetate to CO2 with elemental sulfur as electron acceptor. 14C-labelling experiments and enzyme studies are described revealing that acetate oxidation proceeds via the citric acid cycle with the synthesis of oxaloacetate from acetate and 2 CO2 via pyruvate as anaplerotic reaction. An oxidation of acetate via one carbon unit intermediates as proposed for anaerobic bacteria fermenting acetate to 2 CO2 and 4 H2 was excluded.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fachbereich Biologie, Mikrobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, D-3550, Marburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    Norbert A. Gebhardt & Rudolf K. Thauer

  2. Fakultät für Biologie, Universität Konstanz, D-7750, Konstanz, Federal Republic of Germany

    Norbert Pfennig

  3. Fachbereich Humammedizin, Biochemisches Institut, Justus-Liebig-Universität, D-6300, Gießen, Federal Republic of Germany

    Dietmar Linder

  4. Institut für Med. Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Universität Hamburg, Krankenhaus Eppendorf, D-2000, Hamburg 20, Federal Republic of Germany

    Paul-M. Kaulfers

Authors
  1. Norbert A. Gebhardt
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  2. Rudolf K. Thauer
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  3. Dietmar Linder
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  4. Paul-M. Kaulfers
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  5. Norbert Pfennig
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Dedicated to Professor Dr. Gerhart Drews on the occasion of his 60th birthday

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Gebhardt, N.A., Thauer, R.K., Linder, D. et al. Mechanism of acetate oxidation to CO2 with elemental sulfur in Desulfuromonas acetoxidans . Arch. Microbiol. 141, 392–398 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00428855

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00428855

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