Hydrogenase Activity and the H2-Fumarate Electron Transport System in Bacteroides fragilis

Hydrogenase activity and the H₂-fumarate electron transport system in a carbohydrate-fermenting obligate anaerobe, Bacteroides fragilis, were investigated. In both whole cells and cell extracts, hydrogenase activity was demonstrated with methylene blue, benzyl viologen, flavin mononucleotide, or flavin adenine dinucleotide as the electron acceptor. A catalytic quantity of benzyl viologen or ferredoxin from Clostridium pasteurianum was required to reduce nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate with H₂. Much of the hydrogenase activity appeared to be associated with the soluble fraction of the cell. Fumarate reduction to succinate by H₂ was demonstrable in cell extracts only in the presence of a catalytic quantity of benzyl viologen, flavin mononucleotide, flavin adenine dinucleotide, or ferredoxin from C. pasteurianum. Sulfhydryl compounds were not required for fumarate reduction by H₂, but mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol appeared to stimulate this activity by 59 and 61%, respectively. Inhibition of fumarate reduction by acriflavin, rotenone, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, and antimycin A suggest the involvement of a flavoprotein, a quinone, and cytochrome b in the reduction of fumarate to succinate. The involvement of a quinone in fumarate reduction is also apparent from the inhibition of fumarate reduction by H₂ when cell extracts were irradiated with ultraviolet light. Based on the evidence obtained, a possible scheme for the flow of electrons from H₂ to fumarate in B. fragilis is proposed.     

Contribution of Hydrogenase 2 to Stationary Phase H2 Production by Escherichia coli During Fermentation of Glycerol

Escherichia coli has four hydrogenases (Hyd), three genes of which are encoded by the hya, hyb, and hyc operons. The proton-reducing and hydrogen-oxidizing activities of Hyd-2 (hyb) were analyzed in whole cells grown to stationary phase and cell extracts, respectively, during glycerol fermentation using novel double mutants. H₂ production rate at pH 7.5 was decreased by ~3.5- and ~7-fold in hya and hyc (HDK 103) or hyb and hyc (HDK 203) operon double mutants, respectively, compared with the wild type. At pH 6.5, H₂ production decreased by ~2- and ~5-fold in HDK103 and HDK203, respectively, compared with the wild type. At pH 5.5, H₂ production was reduced by ~4.5-fold in the mutants compared with the wild type. The total hydrogen-oxidizing activity was shown to depend on the pH of the growth medium in agreement with previous findings and was significantly reduced in the HDK103 or HDK203 mutants. At pH 7.5, Hyd-2 activity was 0.26 U (mg protein)^?1 and Hyd-1 activity was 0.1 U (mg protein)^?1. As the pH of the growth medium decreased to 6.5, Hyd-2 activity was 0.16 U (mg protein)^?1, and Hyd-1 was absent. Surprisingly, at pH 5.5, there was an increase in Hyd-2 activity (0.33 U mg protein)^?1 but not in that of Hyd-1. These findings show a major contribution of Hyd-2 to H₂ production during glycerol fermentation that resulted from altered metabolism which surprisingly influenced proton reduction.     

Generation of a proton potential by succinate dehydrogenase of Bacillus subtilis functioning as a fumarate reductase.

The membrane fraction of Bacillus subtilis catalyzes the reduction of fumarate to succinate by NADH. The activity is inhibited by low concentrations of 2-(heptyl)-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide (HOQNO), an inhibitor of succinate: quinone reductase. In sdh or aro mutant strains, which lack succinate dehydrogenase or menaquinone, respectively, the activity of fumarate reduction by NADH was missing. In resting cells fumarate reduction required glycerol or glucose as the electron donor, which presumably supply NADH for fumarate reduction. Thus in the bacteria, fumarate reduction by NADH is catalyzed by an electron transport chain consisting of NADH dehydrogenase (NADH:menaquinone reductase), menaquinone, and succinate dehydrogenase operating in the reverse direction (menaquinol:fumarate reductase). Poor anaerobic growth of B. subtilis was observed when fumarate was present. The fumarate reduction catalyzed by the bacteria in the presence of glycerol or glucose was not inhibited by the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) or by membrane disruption, in contrast to succinate oxidation by O2. Fumarate reduction caused the uptake by the bacteria of the tetraphenyphosphonium cation (TPP+) which was released after fumarate had been consumed. TPP+ uptake was prevented by the presence of CCCP or HOQNO, but not by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, an inhibitor of ATP synthase. From the TPP+ uptake the electrochemical potential generated by fumarate reduction was calculated (Deltapsi = -132 mV) which was comparable to that generated by glucose oxidation with O2 (Deltapsi = -120 mV). The Deltapsi generated by fumarate reduction is suggested to stem from menaquinol:fumarate reductase functioning in a redox half-loop.     

Anaerobic transport of amino acids coupled to the glycerol-3-phosphate-fumarate oxidoreductase system in a cytochrome-deficient mutant of Escherichia coli

The uptake of proline and glutamine by cytochrome-deficient cells of Escherichia coli SASX76 grown aerobically on glucose or anaerobically on pyruvate was stimulated by these two substrates. Pyruvate could not stimulate transport in the glucose-grown cells. Uptake of these amino acids energized by glucose was inhibited by inhibitors of the Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-stimulated ATPase such as DCCD, pyrophosphate, and azide, and by the uncouplers CCCP and 2,4-dinitrophenol. Glycerol (or glycerol 3-phosphate) in the presence of fumarate stimulated the transport of proline and glutamine under anaerobic conditions in cytochrome-deficient cells but not in membrane vesicles prepared from these cells although glycerol 3-phosphate-fumarate oxidoreductase activity could be demonstrated in the vesicle preparation. In contrast, in vesicles prepared from cytochrome-containing cells of E. coli SASX76 amino acid transport was energized under anaerobic conditions by this system. Inhibitors of the Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-activated ATPase and uncoupling agents inhibited the uptake of proline and glutamine in cytochrome-deficient cells dependent on the glycerol-fumarate oxidoreductase system. Ferricyanide could replace fumarate as an electron acceptor to permit transport of phenylalanine in cytochrome-deficient or cytochrome- containing cells under anaerobic conditions. It is concluded that in cytochrome-deficient cells using glucose, pyruvate, or glycerol in the presence of fumarate, transport of both proline and glutamine under anaerobic conditions is energized by ATP through the Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-activated ATPase. In cytochrome-containing cells under anaerobic conditions electron transfer between glycerol and fumarate can also drive transport of these amino acids.     

Multiple and reversible hydrogenases for hydrogen production by Escherichia coli: dependence on fermentation substrate,pH and the F0F1-ATPase

Molecular hydrogen (H₂) can be produced via hydrogenases during mixed-acid fermentation by bacteria. Escherichia coli possesses multiple (four) hydrogenases. Hydrogenase 3 (Hyd-3) and probably 4 (Hyd-4) with formate dehydrogenase H (Fdh-H) form two different H₂-evolving formate hydrogen lyase (FHL) pathways during glucose fermentation. For both FHL forms, the hycB gene coding small subunit of Hyd-3 is required. Formation and activity of FHL also depends on the external pH ([pH]_out) and the presence of formate. FHL is related with the F₀F₁-ATPase by supplying reducing equivalents and depending on proton-motive force. Two other hydrogenases, 1 (Hyd-1) and 2 (Hyd-2), are H₂-oxidizing enzymes during glucose fermentation at neutral and low [pH]_out. They operate in a reverse, H₂-producing mode during glycerol fermentation at neutral [pH]_out. Hyd-1 and Hyd-2 activity depends on F₀F₁. Moreover, Hyd-3 can also work in a reverse mode. Therefore, the operation direction and activity of all Hyd enzymes might determine H₂ production; some metabolic cross-talk between Hyd enzymes is proposed. Manipulating of different Hyd enzymes activity is an effective way to enhance H₂ production by bacteria in biotechnology. Moreover, a novel approach would be the use of glycerol as feedstock in fermentation processes leading to H₂ production, reduced fuels and other chemicals with higher yields than those obtained by common sugars.     

Identification of histidine residues in Wolinella succinogenes hydrogenase that are essential for menaquinone reduction by H2

The cytochrome b subunit (HydC) of Wolinella succinogenes hydrogenase binds two haem B groups. This is concluded from the haem B content of the isolated hydrogenase and is confirmed by the response of its cytochrome b to redox titration. In addition, three of the four haem B ligands were identified by characterizing mutants with the corresponding histidine residues replaced by alanine or methionine. Substitution in HydC of His-25, His-67 or His-186, which are, in addition to His-200, predicted to be haem B ligands, caused the loss of quinone reactivity of the hydrogenase, while the activity of benzylviologen reduction was retained. The corresponding mutants did not grow with H₂ as electron donor and either fumarate or polysulphide as terminal electron acceptor. The mutants grown with formate and fumarate did not catalyse electron transport from H₂ to fumarate or to polysulphide, or quinone reduction by H₂, in contrast to the wild-type strain. Cytochrome b was not reduced by H₂ in the Triton X-100 extract of the mutant membranes, which contained wild-type amounts of the mutated HydC protein. Substitution in HydC of His-122, His-158 or His-187, which are predicted not to be haem B ligands, yielded mutants with wild-type properties. Substitution in HydA of His-188 or of His-305 resulted in mutants with the same properties as those lacking one of the haem B ligands of HydC. His-305 is located in the membrane-integrated C-terminal helix of HydA. His-188 of HydA is predicted to be a ligand of the distal iron–sulphur centre that may serve as the direct electron donor to the haem B groups of HydC. The results suggest that each of the three predicted haem B ligands of HydC tested (out of four) is required for electron transport from H₂ to either fumarate or polysulphide, and for quinone reactivity. This also holds true for the two conserved histidine residues of HydA.     

A redox cycle with complex II prioritizes sulfide quinone oxidoreductase-dependent H2S oxidation

The dual roles of H₂S as an endogenously synthesized respiratory substrate and as a toxin raise questions as to how it is cleared when the electron transport chain is inhibited. Sulfide quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR) catalyzes the first step in the mitochondrial H₂S oxidation pathway, using CoQ as an electron acceptor, and connects to the electron transport chain at the level of complex III. We have discovered that at high H₂S concentrations, which are known to inhibit complex IV, a new redox cycle is established between SQOR and complex II, operating in reverse. Under these conditions, the purine nucleotide cycle and the malate aspartate shuttle furnish fumarate, which supports complex II reversal and leads to succinate accumulation. Complex II knockdown in colonocytes decreases the efficiency of H₂S clearance while targeted knockout of complex II in intestinal epithelial cells significantly decreases the levels of thiosulfate, a biomarker of H₂S oxidation, to approximately one-third of the values seen in serum and urine samples from control mice. These data establish the physiological relevance of this newly discovered redox circuitry between SQOR and complex II for prioritizing H₂S oxidation and reveal the quantitatively significant contribution of intestinal epithelial cells to systemic H₂S metabolism.     

Complexities of complex II: Sulfide metabolism in vivo

High levels of H₂S produced by gut microbiota can block oxygen utilization by inhibiting mitochondrial complex IV. Kumar et al. have shown how cells respond to this inhibition by using the mitochondrial sulfide oxidation pathway and reverse electron transport. The reverse activity of mitochondrial complex II (succinate-quinone oxidoreductase, i.e., fumarate reduction) generates oxidized coenzyme Q, which is then reduced by the mitochondrial sulfide quinone oxidoreductase to oxidize H₂S. This newly identified redox circuitry points to the importance of complex II reversal in mitochondria during periods of hypoxia and cellular stress.     

Efficient electron transfer from hydrogen to benzyl viologen by the [NiFe]-hydrogenases of Escherichia coli is dependent on the coexpression of the iron�Csulfur cluster-containing small subunit

Escherichia coli can both oxidize hydrogen and reduce protons. These activities involve three distinct [NiFe]-hydrogenases, termed Hyd-1, Hyd-2, and Hyd-3, each minimally comprising heterodimers of a large subunit, containing the [NiFe] active site, and a small subunit, bearing iron-sulfur clusters. Dihydrogen-oxidizing activity can be determined using redox dyes like benzyl viologen (BV); however, it is unclear whether electron transfer to BV occurs directly at the active site, or via an iron-sulfur center in the small subunit. Plasmids encoding Strep-tagged derivatives of the large subunits of the three E. coli [NiFe]-hydrogenases restored activity of the respective hydrogenase to strain FTD147, which carries in-frame deletions in the hyaB, hybC, and hycE genes encoding the large subunits of Hyd-1, Hyd-2, and Hyd-3, respectively. Purified Strep-HyaB was associated with the Hyd-1 small subunit (HyaA), and purified Strep-HybC was associated with the Hyd-2 small subunit (HybO), and a second iron-sulfur protein, HybA. However, Strep-HybC isolated from a hybO mutant had no other associated subunits and lacked BV-dependent hydrogenase activity. Mutants deleted separately for hyaA, hybO, or hycG (Hyd-3 small subunit) lacked BV-linked hydrogenase activity, despite the Hyd-1 and Hyd-2 large subunits being processed. These findings demonstrate that hydrogenase-dependent reduction of BV requires the small subunit.     

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dependent reduction of fumarate coupled to membrane energization in a cytochrome deficient mutant of Escherichia coli K12

Escherichia coli SASX76 does not form cytochromes unless supplemented with 5-aminolevulinic acid. It can grow anaerobically on glycerol and dl-glycerol 3-phosphate in the absence of 5-aminolevulinic acid with fumarate but not with nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor. Cytochrome-independent NADH oxidase, glycerol 3-phosphate- and NADH-fumarate oxidoreductase activities are induced by anaerobic growth on a glycerol-fumarate medium. The pathway of electrons from substrate to fumarate involves menaquinone. The NADH-fumarate oxidoreductase and cytochrome-independent NADH oxidase systems are inhibited by piericidin A, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide, and iron chelating agents. Both systems can energize the membrane particles as indicated by quenching of atebrin fluorescence.     

Hydrogenase-3 Contributes to Anaerobic Acid Resistance of Escherichia coli

Background

Hydrogen production by fermenting bacteria such as Escherichia coli offers a potential source of hydrogen biofuel. Because H₂ production involves consumption of 2H⁺, hydrogenase expression is likely to involve pH response and regulation. Hydrogenase consumption of protons in E. coli has been implicated in acid resistance, the ability to survive exposure to acid levels (pH 2–2.5) that are three pH units lower than the pH limit of growth (pH 5–6). Enhanced survival in acid enables a larger infective inoculum to pass through the stomach and colonize the intestine. Most acid resistance mechanisms have been defined using aerobic cultures, but the use of anaerobic cultures will reveal novel acid resistance mechanisms.

Methods and Principal Findings

We analyzed the pH regulation of bacterial hydrogenases in live cultures of E. coli K-12 W3110. During anaerobic growth in the range of pH 5 to 6.5, E. coli expresses three hydrogenase isoenzymes that reversibly oxidize H₂ to 2H⁺. Anoxic conditions were used to determine which of the hydrogenase complexes contribute to acid resistance, measured as the survival of cultures grown at pH 5.5 without aeration and exposed for 2 hours at pH 2 or at pH 2.5. Survival of all strains in extreme acid was significantly lower in low oxygen than for aerated cultures. Deletion of hyc (Hyd-3) decreased anoxic acid survival 3-fold at pH 2.5, and 20-fold at pH 2, but had no effect on acid survival with aeration. Deletion of hyb (Hyd-2) did not significantly affect acid survival. The pH-dependence of H₂ production and consumption was tested using a H₂-specific Clark-type electrode. Hyd-3-dependent H₂ production was increased 70-fold from pH 6.5 to 5.5, whereas Hyd-2-dependent H₂ consumption was maximal at alkaline pH. H₂ production, was unaffected by a shift in external or internal pH. H₂ production was associated with hycE expression levels as a function of external pH.

Conclusions

Anaerobic growing cultures of E. coli generate H₂ via Hyd-3 at low external pH, and consume H₂ via Hyd-2 at high external pH. Hyd-3 proton conversion to H₂ is required for acid resistance in anaerobic cultures of E. coli.     

Fumarate reduction systems in members of the family Rhodospirillaceae with different quinone types

Nineteen established and one undesignated species of the Rhodospirillaceae were examined for fumarate reduction in connection with their quinone systems. The fumarate reductase activity with reduced methyl viologen (MVH) or FMNH₂ as electron donor was found in membrane (chromatophore) preparations from phototrophically grown cells of all species containing menaquinone (MK) and/or rhodoquinone. The species having ubiquinone as the sole quinone contained no fumarate reductase activity, except some Rhodobacter species showing the FMNH₂-dependent activity. The MVH-fumarate reductase activity of the MK-type species was not inhibited by Triton X-100 or acetone treatment, suggesting the presence of a fumarate reductase reacting directly with MVH, while such an enzyme was absent in the MK-lacking strains, with few exceptions. The FMNH₂-fumarate reduction system was abolished by a detergent or acetone extraction in all bacteria but differed much among species with different quinone types as to the response to respiratory inhibitors. These differences in fumarate-reducing properties and quinone systems among the phototrophic bacteria are discussed from evolutionary and taxonomic viewpoints.Non-standard abbreviations RQ rhodoquinone - MK menaquinone - MVH reduced methyl viologen - HOQNO 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide - TTFA 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone     

Membrane-bound F420H2-dependent heterodisulfide reduction in Methanococcus voltae

Washed membranes prepared from H₂+CO₂- or formate-grown cells of Methanococcus voltae catalyzed the oxidation of coenzyme F₄₂₀H₂ and the reduction of the heterodisulfide (CoB–S–S–CoM) of 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate and 7-mercaptoheptanoylthreonine phosphate, which is the terminal electron acceptor of the methanogenic pathway. The reaction followed a 1:1 stoichiometry according to the equation: F₄₂₀H₂ + COB–S–S–CoM → F₄₂₀ + CoM–SH + CoB–SH. These findings indicate that the reaction depends on a membrane-bound F₄₂₀H₂-oxidizing enzyme and on the heterodisulfide reductase, which remains partly membrane-bound after cell lysis. To elucidate the nature of the F₄₂₀H₂-oxidizing protein, washed membranes were solubilized with detergent, and the enzyme was purified by sucrose density centrifugation, anion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. Several lines of evidence indicate that F₄₂₀H₂ oxidation is catalyzed by a membrane-associated F₄₂₀-reducing hydrogenase. The purified protein catalyzed the H₂-dependent reduction of methyl viologen and F₄₂₀. The apparent molecular mass and the subunit composition (43, 37, and 27 kDa) are almost identical to those of the F₄₂₀-reducing hydrogenase that has already been purified from Mc. voltae. Moreover, the N-terminus of the 37-kDa subunit is identical to the amino acid sequence deduced from the fruG gene of the operon encoding the selenium-containing F₄₂₀-reducing hydrogenase from Mc. voltae. A distinct F₄₂₀H₂ dehydrogenase, which is present in methylotrophic methanogens, was not found in this organism. Received: 18 September 1998 / Accepted: 2 November 1998     

Two sources of endogenous hydrogen peroxide in Escherichia coli

Mechanisms of hydrogen peroxide generation in Escherichia coli were investigated using a strain lacking scavenging enzymes. Surprisingly, the deletion of many abundant flavoenzymes that are known to autoxidize in vitro did not substantially lessen overall H₂O₂ formation. However, H₂O₂ production diminished by 25–30% when NadB turnover was eliminated. The flavin‐dependent desaturating dehydrogenase, NadB uses fumarate as an electron acceptor in anaerobic cells. Experiments showed that aerobic NadB turnover depends upon its oxidation by molecular oxygen, with H₂O₂ as a product. This reaction appears to be mechanistically adventitious. In contrast, most desaturating dehydrogenases are associated with the respiratory chain and deliver electrons to fumarate anaerobically or oxygen aerobically without the formation of toxic by‐products. Presumably, NadB can persist as an H₂O₂‐generating enzyme because its flux is limited. The anaerobic respiratory enzyme fumarate reductase uses a flavoprotein subunit that is homologous to NadB and accordingly forms substantial H₂O₂ upon aeration. This tendency is substantially suppressed by cytochrome oxidase. Thus cytochrome d oxidase, which is prevalent among anaerobes, may diminish intracellular H₂O₂ formation by the anaerobic respiratory chain, whenever these organisms encounter oxygen. These two examples reveal biochemical and physiological arrangements through which evolution has minimized the rate of intracellular oxidant formation.     

Electron Partitioning During Light- and Nutrient-Powered Hydrogen Production by Rhodobacter sphaeroides

The partitioning of reducing power into different electron-accepting pathways was evaluated during growth and stationary phases of H₂-producing Rhodobacter sphaeroides cultures. For this, an electron balance method was developed using the chemical oxygen demand concept to quantitatively analyze the partitioning of nutrient electrons into H₂, cell biomass, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and soluble microbial products (SMP). Overall, these four electron sinks were accounted for greater than 85% of the electrons provided by the nutrients. Glucose, lactate, succinate, fumarate, and pyruvate were individually provided as the main carbon source, and in all cases, glutamate was provided as a nitrogen source in order to enhance H₂ production. About 25–35% of the electrons ended up in H₂ during growth, while up to 60% of the electrons partitioned into H₂ in some stationary phase cultures. The other two major electron sinks in the growth phase were cell mass and PHB, while in stationary phase, SMP were accounted for >30% of the substrate electrons utilized. In general, the largest portion of SMP comprised low-molecular weight (<3 kDa) compounds mostly produced during stationary phase, although larger-size molecules were also detected in both phases. Overall, the fractions of electrons that partitioned into H₂ (0.21 to 0.35) and PHB (0.06 to 0.21) were highly correlated with the standard free energy change of the substrate oxidation half-reaction equation, normalized per electron equivalent. In a PHB(?) mutant, electron redistribution increased H₂ production, the extent of which depended on the carbon source provided.     

Effect of inhibitors on ammonia-, 2-oxoglutarate-, and oxaloacetate-dependent o(2) evolution in illuminated chloroplasts

The evolution of O₂ in spinach chloroplasts in the presence of oxaloacetate (OAA) was inhibited by a wide range of dicarboxylates. In contrast, (ammonia, 2-oxoglutarate)-dependent O₂ evolution was stimulated by malate, succinate, fumarate, glutarate, maleiate, and l-tartrate although OAA has little effect. This increase in O₂ evolution was accompanied by a similar increase in ¹⁴C incorporation from [5-¹⁴C]oxoglutarate into amino acids which was sensitive to azaserine inhibition. Glutamate and aspartate inhibited (ammonia, 2-oxoglutarate)-dependent O₂ evolution, but this inhibition was relieved by the addition of succinate, malate, or fumarate. OAA-dependent O₂ evolution also was inhibited by glutamate and aspartate, but succinate, malate, or fumarate had little effect on this inhibition. Phthalonate and n-butyl malonate inhibited (ammonia, 2-oxoglutarate)-dependent O₂ evolution competitively with respect to 2-oxoglutarate and uncompetitively with respect to malate. Both these inhibitors inhibited OAA-dependent O₂ evolution competitively. This evidence suggests that different mechanisms might be involved in the transport of OAA, 2-oxoglutarate, and malate into the chloroplasts.     

Regulatory interactions in the dimeric cytochrome bc1 complex: The advantages of being a twin

The dimeric cytochrome bc₁ complex catalyzes the oxidation-reduction of quinol and quinone at sites located in opposite sides of the membrane in which it resides. We review the kinetics of electron transfer and inhibitor binding that reveal functional interactions between the quinol oxidation site at center P and quinone reduction site at center N in opposite monomers in conjunction with electron equilibration between the cytochrome b subunits of the dimer. A model for the mechanism of the bc₁ complex has emerged from these studies in which binding of ligands that mimic semiquinone at center N regulates half-of-the-sites reactivity at center P and binding of ligands that mimic catalytically competent binding of ubiquinol at center P regulates half-of-the-sites reactivity at center N. An additional feature of this model is that inhibition of quinol oxidation at the quinone reduction site is avoided by allowing catalysis in only one monomer at a time, which maximizes the number of redox acceptor centers available in cytochrome b for electrons coming from quinol oxidation reactions at center P and minimizes the leakage of electrons that would result in the generation of damaging oxygen radicals.     

Periplasmic Cytochrome c3 of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Is Directly Involved in H2-Mediated Metal but Not Sulfate Reduction

Kinetic parameters and the role of cytochrome c₃ in sulfate, Fe(III), and U(VI) reduction were investigated in Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough. While sulfate reduction followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics (K_m = 220 μM), loss of Fe(III) and U(VI) was first-order at all concentrations tested. Initial reduction rates of all electron acceptors were similar for cells grown with H₂ and sulfate, while cultures grown using lactate and sulfate had similar rates of metal loss but lower sulfate reduction activities. The similarities in metal, but not sulfate, reduction with H₂ and lactate suggest divergent pathways. Respiration assays and reduced minus oxidized spectra were carried out to determine c-type cytochrome involvement in electron acceptor reduction. c-type cytochrome oxidation was immediate with Fe(III) and U(VI) in the presence of H₂, lactate, or pyruvate. Sulfidogenesis occurred with all three electron donors and effectively oxidized the c-type cytochrome in lactate- or pyruvate-reduced, but not H₂-reduced cells. Correspondingly, electron acceptor competition assays with lactate or pyruvate as electron donors showed that Fe(III) inhibited U(VI) reduction, and U(VI) inhibited sulfate loss. However, sulfate reduction was slowed but not halted when H₂ was the electron donor in the presence of Fe(III) or U(VI). U(VI) loss was still impeded by Fe(III) when H₂ was used. Hence, we propose a modified pathway for the reduction of sulfate, Fe(III), and U(VI) which helps explain why these bacteria cannot grow using these metals. We further propose that cytochrome c₃ is an electron carrier involved in lactate and pyruvate oxidation and is the reductase for alternate electron acceptors with higher redox potentials than sulfate.     

Linkage of formate hydrogenlyase with anaerobic respiration in Proteus mirabilis

The linkage between the enzyme system catalysing formate hydrogenlyase and reductases involved in anaerobic respiration in intact cells of anaerobically grown Proteus mirabilis was studied. Reduction of nitrate and fumarate by molecular hydrogen or formate was possible under all growth conditions; reduction of tetrathionate and thiosulphate occurred only in cells harvested at late growth phase from a pH-regulated batch culture and not in cells harvested at early growth phase or in cells grown in pH-auxostat culture. Under all conditions, cells possessed the enzyme tetrathionate reductase. We conclude that linkage between tetrathionate reductase (catalysing also reduction of thiosulphate) and the formate hydrogenlyase chain is dependent on growth conditions. During reduction of high-potential oxidants such as fumarate, tetrathionate (when possible) or the artificial electron acceptor methylene blue by formate, there was no simultaneous H₂ evolution due to the formate hydrogenlyase reaction. H₂ production started only after complete reduction of methylene blue or fumarate, in the case of methylene blue after a lag phase without gas production. In preparations with a low fumarate reduction activity this was accompanied by an acceleration in CO₂ production. During reduction of thiosulphate (a low-potential oxidant) or of tetrathionate in the presence of benzyl viologen (a low-potential mediator) by formate, H₂ was evolved simultaneously. From this we conclude that formate hydrogenlyase is regulated by a factor that responds to the redox state of any electron acceptor couple present such that lyase activity is blocked when the acceptor couple is oxidised to too great an extent.