ATP synthesis associated with the conversion of hexachlorocyclohexane related compounds

Clostridium rectum strain S-17 converts -1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) related compounds to chlorobenzenes. The metabolites from -1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexene and -1,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohexene are identified as 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and 1,4-dichlorobenzene, respectively. ATP synthesis, converting these chlorinated compounds, is observed in the cell suspension of C. rectum as indicated by luciferase-luciferin reaction and phosphorylation of ³²P-labeled phosphate. These observation lead to the conclusion that HCH and related compounds serve as artificial electron acceptors of the Stickland reaction, and therefore, the reductive dechlorination is associated with ATP synthesis.Abbreviations HCH -1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane - HCCH -1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexene - PCCH -1,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohexene - TCCH -3,4,5,6-tetrachlorocyclohexene - 1,2,4-TCB 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene - 1,4-DCB 1,4-dichlorobenzene - MCB monochlorobenzene - DTT 1,4-dithiothreitol - IAA monoiodoacetic acid