Intracytoplasmic membranes in oxygen-limited chemostat cultures of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b: Biocatalytic implications of physiologically balanced growth

Summary The continuous culture growth conditions for induction of intracytoplasmic membranes in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b are described. During oxygen-limited, nitrate-excess chemostat culture, organisms have an extensive intracytoplasmic membrane system and particulate, cell-free methane mono-oxygenase (MMO). Under methane limitation fewer intracytoplasmic membranes are seen, while under all other conditions tested, membranes are absent and cell-free MMO is entirely soluble. These findings may be important in relation to the development of oxidative biotransformation processes using this bacterium.