1
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Yan Z, Ferry JG. Reply to Chadwick et al.: Data, not definitions, drive conclusions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2406601121. [PMID: 38696480 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2406601121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Yan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801
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2
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Song Y, Huang R, Li L, Wang M, Wang S, Ferry JG, Yan Z. Response to comment on "Humic acid-dependent respiratory growth of Methanosarcina acetivorans involves pyrroloquinoline quinone" by Yuanxu Song et al. ISME J 2024; 18:wrae019. [PMID: 38366059 PMCID: PMC10960953 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxu Song
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Mingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Shuguang Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, United States
| | - Zhen Yan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
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3
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Song Y, Huang R, Li L, Du K, Zhu F, Song C, Yuan X, Wang M, Wang S, Ferry JG, Zhou S, Yan Z. Humic acid-dependent respiratory growth of Methanosarcina acetivorans involves pyrroloquinoline quinone. ISME J 2023; 17:2103-2111. [PMID: 37737251 PMCID: PMC10579383 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01520-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Although microbial humus respiration plays a critical role in organic matter decomposition and biogeochemical cycling of elements in diverse anoxic environments, the role of methane-producing species (methanogens) is not well defined. Here we report that a major fraction of humus, humic acid reduction enhanced the growth of Methanosarcina acetivorans above that attributed to methanogenesis when utilizing the energy sources methanol or acetate, results which showed both respiratory and fermentative modes of energy conservation. Growth characteristics with methanol were the same for an identically cultured mutant deleted for the gene encoding a multi-heme cytochrome c (MmcA), results indicating MmcA is not essential for respiratory electron transport to humic acid. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that growth with humic acid promoted the upregulation of genes annotated as cell surface pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-binding proteins. Furthermore, PQQ isolated from the membrane fraction was more abundant in humic acid-respiring cells, and the addition of PQQ improved efficiency of the extracellular electron transport. Given that the PQQ-binding proteins are widely distributed in methanogens, the findings extend current understanding of microbial humus respiration in the context of global methane dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxu Song
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, China
| | - Kaifeng Du
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Fanping Zhu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Chao Song
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xianzheng Yuan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Mingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, China.
| | - Shuguang Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Shungui Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Zhen Yan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
- Suzhou Research Institute, Shandong University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
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4
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Prakash O, Dodsworth JA, Dong X, Ferry JG, L'Haridon S, Imachi H, Kamagata Y, Rhee SK, Sagar I, Shcherbakova V, Wagner D, Whitman WB. Corrigendum: Proposed minimal standards for description of methanogenic archaea. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2023; 73. [PMID: 37917005 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Om Prakash
- National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR), National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, Maharashtra, India
- Symbiosis Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Lavale, Pune-412115, Maharashtra, India
| | - Jeremy A Dodsworth
- Department of Biology, California State University, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA
| | - Xiuzhu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Stephane L'Haridon
- CNRS, IFREMER, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes, University of Brest, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Hiroyuki Imachi
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kamagata
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8560, Japan
| | - Sung-Keun Rhee
- Department of Microbiology, Chungbuk National University, Chungdae-ro 1, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Isita Sagar
- National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR), National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, Maharashtra, India
| | - Viktoria Shcherbakova
- Laboratory of Anaerobic Microorganisms, All-Russian Collection of Microorganisms (VKM), Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center Pushchino Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Nauki 3, Pushchino, Moscow, 142290, Russian Federation
| | - Dirk Wagner
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg A71-359, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
- Institut of Geosciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - William B Whitman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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5
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Williams AM, Jolley EA, Santiago-Martínez MG, Chan CX, Gutell RR, Ferry JG, Bevilacqua PC. In vivo structure probing of RNA in Archaea: novel insights into the ribosome structure of Methanosarcina acetivorans. RNA 2023; 29:1610-1620. [PMID: 37491319 PMCID: PMC10578495 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079687.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Structure probing combined with next-generation sequencing (NGS) has provided novel insights into RNA structure-function relationships. To date, such studies have focused largely on bacteria and eukaryotes, with little attention given to the third domain of life, archaea. Furthermore, functional RNAs have not been extensively studied in archaea, leaving open questions about RNA structure and function within this domain of life. With archaeal species being diverse and having many similarities to both bacteria and eukaryotes, the archaea domain has the potential to be an evolutionary bridge. In this study, we introduce a method for probing RNA structure in vivo in the archaea domain of life. We investigated the structure of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from Methanosarcina acetivorans, a well-studied anaerobic archaeal species, grown with either methanol or acetate. After probing the RNA in vivo with dimethyl sulfate (DMS), Structure-seq2 libraries were generated, sequenced, and analyzed. We mapped the reactivity of DMS onto the secondary structure of the ribosome, which we determined independently with comparative analysis, and confirmed the accuracy of DMS probing in M. acetivorans Accessibility of the rRNA to DMS in the two carbon sources was found to be quite similar, although some differences were found. Overall, this study establishes the Structure-seq2 pipeline in the archaea domain of life and informs about ribosomal structure within M. acetivorans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Williams
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Jolley
- Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | | | - Cheong Xin Chan
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Robin R Gutell
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Philip C Bevilacqua
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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6
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Yan Z, Du K, Yan Y, Huang R, Zhu F, Yuan X, Wang S, Ferry JG. Respiration-driven methanotrophic growth of diverse marine methanogens. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303179120. [PMID: 37729205 PMCID: PMC10523532 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303179120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaerobic marine environments are the third largest producer of the greenhouse gas methane. The release to the atmosphere is prevented by anaerobic 'methanotrophic archaea (ANME) dependent on a symbiotic association with sulfate-reducing bacteria or direct reduction of metal oxides. Metagenomic analyses of ANME are consistent with a reverse methanogenesis pathway, although no wild-type isolates have been available for validation and biochemical investigation. Herein is reported the characterization of methanotrophic growth for the diverse marine methanogens Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A and Methanococcoides orientis sp. nov. Growth was dependent on reduction of either ferrihydrite or humic acids revealing a respiratory mode of energy conservation. Acetate and/or formate were end products. Reversal of the well-characterized methanogenic pathways is remarkably like the consensus pathways for uncultured ANME based on extensive metagenomic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Yan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao266237, China
- Suzhou Research Institute, Shandong University, Suzhou, Jiangsu215123, China
| | - Kaifeng Du
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao266237, China
| | - Yunfeng Yan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao266237, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao266237, China
| | - Fanping Zhu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao266237, China
| | - Xianzheng Yuan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao266237, China
| | - Shuguang Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao266237, China
| | - James G. Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16801
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7
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Prakash O, Dodsworth JA, Dong X, Ferry JG, L'Haridon S, Imachi H, Kamagata Y, Rhee SK, Sagar I, Shcherbakova V, Wagner D, Whitman WB. Proposed minimal standards for description of methanogenic archaea. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2023; 73. [PMID: 37097839 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.005500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea are a diverse, polyphyletic group of strictly anaerobic prokaryotes capable of producing methane as their primary metabolic product. It has been over three decades since minimal standards for their taxonomic description have been proposed. In light of advancements in technology and amendments in systematic microbiology, revision of the older criteria for taxonomic description is essential. Most of the previously recommended minimum standards regarding phenotypic characterization of pure cultures are maintained. Electron microscopy and chemotaxonomic methods like whole-cell protein and lipid analysis are desirable but not required. Because of advancements in DNA sequencing technologies, obtaining a complete or draft whole genome sequence for type strains and its deposition in a public database are now mandatory. Genomic data should be used for rigorous comparison to close relatives using overall genome related indices such as average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene is also required and can be supplemented by phylogenies of the mcrA gene and phylogenomic analysis using multiple conserved, single-copy marker genes. Additionally, it is now established that culture purity is not essential for studying prokaryotes, and description of Candidatus methanogenic taxa using single-cell or metagenomics along with other appropriate criteria is a viable alternative. The revisions to the minimal criteria proposed here by the members of the Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Methanogenic Archaea of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes should allow for rigorous yet practical taxonomic description of these important and diverse microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Om Prakash
- National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR), National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, Maharashtra, India
- Symbiosis Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Lavale, Pune-412115, Maharashtra, India
| | - Jeremy A Dodsworth
- Department of Biology, California State University, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA
| | - Xiuzhu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, PR China
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Stephane L'Haridon
- CNRS, IFREMER, Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes, University of Brest, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Hiroyuki Imachi
- Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star), Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Yoichi Kamagata
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8560, Japan
| | - Sung-Keun Rhee
- Department of Microbiology, Chungbuk National University, Chungdae-ro 1, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Isita Sagar
- National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR), National Centre for Cell Science, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, Maharashtra, India
| | - Viktoria Shcherbakova
- Laboratory of Anaerobic Microorganisms, All-Russian Collection of Microorganisms (VKM), Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center Pushchino Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Nauki 3, Pushchino, Moscow, 142290, Russian Federation
| | - Dirk Wagner
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg A71-359, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
- Institut of Geosciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - William B Whitman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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8
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Balch WE, Ferry JG. The Wolfe cycle of carbon dioxide reduction to methane revisited and the Ralph Stoner Wolfe legacy at 100 years. Adv Microb Physiol 2021; 79:1-23. [PMID: 34836609 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Methanogens are a component of anaerobic microbial consortia decomposing biomass to CO2 and CH4 that is an essential link in the global carbon cycle. One of two major pathways of methanogenesis involves reduction of the methyl group of acetate to CH4 with electrons from oxidation of the carbonyl group while the other involves reduction of CO2 to CH4 with electrons from H2 or formate. Pioneering investigations of the CO2 reduction pathway by Ralph S. Wolfe in the 70s and 80s contributed findings impacting the broader fields of biochemistry and microbiology that directed discovery of the domain Archaea and expanded research on anaerobic microbes for decades that continues to the present. This review presents an historical overview of the CO2 reduction pathway (Wolfe cycle) with recent developments, and an account of Wolfe's larger and enduring impact on the broad field of biology 100 years after his birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E Balch
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.
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9
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Ferry JG. Methanosarcina acetivorans: A Model for Mechanistic Understanding of Aceticlastic and Reverse Methanogenesis. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1806. [PMID: 32849414 PMCID: PMC7399021 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetate-utilizing methanogens are responsible for approximately two-thirds of the one billion metric tons of methane produced annually in Earth's anaerobic environments. Methanosarcina acetivorans has emerged as a model organism for the mechanistic understanding of aceticlastic methanogenesis and reverse methanogenesis applicable to understanding the methane and carbon cycles in nature. It has the largest genome in the Archaea, supporting a metabolic complexity that enables a remarkable ability for adapting to environmental opportunities and challenges. Biochemical investigations have revealed an aceticlastic pathway capable of fermentative and respiratory energy conservation that explains how Ms. acetivorans is able to grow and compete in the environment. The mechanism of respiratory energy conservation also plays a role in overcoming endothermic reactions that are key to reversing methanogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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10
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Prakash D, Chauhan SS, Ferry JG. Life on the thermodynamic edge: Respiratory growth of an acetotrophic methanogen. Sci Adv 2019; 5:eaaw9059. [PMID: 31457094 PMCID: PMC6703866 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw9059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Although two-thirds of the nearly 1 billion metric tons of methane produced annually in Earth's biosphere derives from acetate, the in situ process has escaped rigorous understanding. The unresolved question concerns the mechanism by which the exceptionally marginal amount of available energy supports acetotrophic growth of methanogenic archaea in the environment. Here, we show that Methanosarcina acetivorans conserves energy by Fe(III)-dependent respiratory metabolism of acetate, augmenting production of the greenhouse gas methane. An extensively revised, ecologically relevant, biochemical pathway for acetotrophic growth is presented, in which the conservation of respiratory energy is maximized by electron bifurcation, a previously unknown mechanism of biological energy coupling. The results transform the ecological and biochemical understanding of methanogenesis and the role of iron in the mineralization of organic matter in anaerobic environments.
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Guan Y, Ngugi DK, Vinu M, Blom J, Alam I, Guillot S, Ferry JG, Stingl U. Comparative Genomics of the Genus Methanohalophilus, Including a Newly Isolated Strain From Kebrit Deep in the Red Sea. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:839. [PMID: 31068917 PMCID: PMC6491703 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Halophilic methanogens play an important role in the carbon cycle in hypersaline environments, but are under-represented in culture collections. In this study, we describe a novel Methanohalophilus strain that was isolated from the sulfide-rich brine-seawater interface of Kebrit Deep in the Red Sea. Based on physiological and phylogenomic features, strain RSK, which is the first methanogenic archaeon to be isolated from a deep hypersaline anoxic brine lake of the Red Sea, represents a novel species of this genus. In order to compare the genetic traits underpinning the adaptations of this genus in diverse hypersaline environments, we sequenced the genome of strain RSK and compared it with genomes of previously isolated and well characterized species in this genus (Methanohalophilus mahii, Methanohalophilus halophilus, Methanohalophilus portucalensis, and Methanohalophilus euhalobius). These analyses revealed a highly conserved genomic core of greater than 93% of annotated genes (1490 genes) containing pathways for methylotrophic methanogenesis, osmoprotection through salt-out strategy, and oxidative stress response, among others. Despite the high degree of genomic conservation, species-specific differences in sulfur and glycogen metabolisms, viral resistance, amino acid, and peptide uptake machineries were also evident. Thus, while Methanohalophilus species are found in diverse extreme environments, each genotype also possesses adaptive traits that are likely relevant in their respective hypersaline habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Guan
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - David K. Ngugi
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manikandan Vinu
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatik und Systembiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Intikhab Alam
- Computational Bioscience Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sylvain Guillot
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - James G. Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Ulrich Stingl
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, FL, United States
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12
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Holmes DE, Rotaru AE, Ueki T, Shrestha PM, Ferry JG, Lovley DR. Electron and Proton Flux for Carbon Dioxide Reduction in Methanosarcina barkeri During Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:3109. [PMID: 30631315 PMCID: PMC6315138 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.03109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) is important in diverse methanogenic environments, but how methanogens participate in DIET is poorly understood. Therefore, the transcriptome of Methanosarcina barkeri grown via DIET in co-culture with Geobacter metallireducens was compared with its transcriptome when grown via H2 interspecies transfer (HIT) with Pelobacter carbinolicus. Notably, transcripts for the F420H2 dehydrogenase, Fpo, and the heterodisulfide reductase, HdrABC, were more abundant during growth on DIET. A model for CO2 reduction was developed from these results in which electrons delivered to methanophenazine in the cell membrane are transferred to Fpo. The external proton gradient necessary to drive the otherwise thermodynamically unfavorable reverse electron transport for Fpo-catalyzed F420 reduction is derived from protons released from G. metallireducens metabolism. Reduced F420 is a direct electron donor in the carbon dioxide reduction pathway and also serves as the electron donor for the proposed HdrABC-catalyzed electron bifurcation reaction in which reduced ferredoxin (also required for carbon dioxide reduction) is generated with simultaneous reduction of CoM-S-S-CoB. Expression of genes for putative redox-active proteins predicted to be localized on the outer cell surface was higher during growth on DIET, but further analysis will be required to identify the electron transfer route to methanophenazine. The results indicate that the pathways for electron and proton flux for CO2 reduction during DIET are substantially different than for HIT and suggest that gene expression patterns may also be useful for determining whether Methanosarcina are directly accepting electrons from other extracellular electron donors, such as corroding metals or electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn E. Holmes
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Western New England University, Springfield, MA, United States
| | - Amelia-Elena Rotaru
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Toshiyuki Ueki
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Pravin M. Shrestha
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
- Assembly Biosciences, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - James G. Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Derek R. Lovley
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
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13
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Yung YL, Chen P, Nealson K, Atreya S, Beckett P, Blank JG, Ehlmann B, Eiler J, Etiope G, Ferry JG, Forget F, Gao P, Hu R, Kleinböhl A, Klusman R, Lefèvre F, Miller C, Mischna M, Mumma M, Newman S, Oehler D, Okumura M, Oremland R, Orphan V, Popa R, Russell M, Shen L, Sherwood Lollar B, Staehle R, Stamenković V, Stolper D, Templeton A, Vandaele AC, Viscardy S, Webster CR, Wennberg PO, Wong ML, Worden J. Methane on Mars and Habitability: Challenges and Responses. Astrobiology 2018; 18:1221-1242. [PMID: 30234380 PMCID: PMC6205098 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent measurements of methane (CH4) by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) now confront us with robust data that demand interpretation. Thus far, the MSL data have revealed a baseline level of CH4 (∼0.4 parts per billion by volume [ppbv]), with seasonal variations, as well as greatly enhanced spikes of CH4 with peak abundances of ∼7 ppbv. What do these CH4 revelations with drastically different abundances and temporal signatures represent in terms of interior geochemical processes, or is martian CH4 a biosignature? Discerning how CH4 generation occurs on Mars may shed light on the potential habitability of Mars. There is no evidence of life on the surface of Mars today, but microbes might reside beneath the surface. In this case, the carbon flux represented by CH4 would serve as a link between a putative subterranean biosphere on Mars and what we can measure above the surface. Alternatively, CH4 records modern geochemical activity. Here we ask the fundamental question: how active is Mars, geochemically and/or biologically? In this article, we examine geological, geochemical, and biogeochemical processes related to our overarching question. The martian atmosphere and surface are an overwhelmingly oxidizing environment, and life requires pairing of electron donors and electron acceptors, that is, redox gradients, as an essential source of energy. Therefore, a fundamental and critical question regarding the possibility of life on Mars is, "Where can we find redox gradients as energy sources for life on Mars?" Hence, regardless of the pathway that generates CH4 on Mars, the presence of CH4, a reduced species in an oxidant-rich environment, suggests the possibility of redox gradients supporting life and habitability on Mars. Recent missions such as ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter may provide mapping of the global distribution of CH4. To discriminate between abiotic and biotic sources of CH4 on Mars, future studies should use a series of diagnostic geochemical analyses, preferably performed below the ground or at the ground/atmosphere interface, including measurements of CH4 isotopes, methane/ethane ratios, H2 gas concentration, and species such as acetic acid. Advances in the fields of Mars exploration and instrumentation will be driven, augmented, and supported by an improved understanding of atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, deep subsurface biogeochemistry, astrobiology, planetary geology, and geophysics. Future Mars exploration programs will have to expand the integration of complementary areas of expertise to generate synergistic and innovative ideas to realize breakthroughs in advancing our understanding of the potential of life and habitable conditions having existed on Mars. In this spirit, we conducted a set of interdisciplinary workshops. From this series has emerged a vision of technological, theoretical, and methodological innovations to explore the martian subsurface and to enhance spatial tracking of key volatiles, such as CH4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuk L. Yung
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Pin Chen
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | | | | | | | - Jennifer G. Blank
- NASA Ames Research Center, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Mountain View, California
| | - Bethany Ehlmann
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - John Eiler
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Giuseppe Etiope
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - James G. Ferry
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Francois Forget
- Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Peter Gao
- University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Renyu Hu
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Armin Kleinböhl
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | | | - Franck Lefèvre
- Laboratoire Atmospheres, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS), IPSL, Paris, France
| | - Charles Miller
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Michael Mischna
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Michael Mumma
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
| | - Sally Newman
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | | | | | | | | | - Radu Popa
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael Russell
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Linhan Shen
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | | | - Robert Staehle
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Vlada Stamenković
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | | | | | - Ann C. Vandaele
- The Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Viscardy
- The Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christopher R. Webster
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | | | | | - John Worden
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
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14
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Abstract
Reduction of the disulfide of coenzyme M and coenzyme B (CoMS–SCoB) by heterodisulfide reductases (HdrED and HdrABC) is the final step in all methanogenic pathways. Flavin-based electron bifurcation (FBEB) by soluble HdrABC homologs play additional roles in driving essential endergonic reactions at the expense of the exergonic reduction of CoMS–SCoM. In the first step of the CO2 reduction pathway, HdrABC complexed with hydrogenase or formate dehydrogenase generates reduced ferredoxin (Fdx2-) for the endergonic reduction of CO2 coupled to the exergonic reduction of CoMS–SCoB dependent on FBEB of electrons from H2 or formate. Roles for HdrABC:hydrogenase complexes are also proposed for pathways wherein the methyl group of methanol is reduced to methane with electrons from H2. The HdrABC complexes catalyze FBEB-dependent oxidation of H2 for the endergonic reduction of Fdx driven by the exergonic reduction of CoMS–SCoB. The Fdx2- supplies electrons for reduction of the methyl group to methane. In H2- independent pathways, three-fourths of the methyl groups are oxidized producing Fdx2- and reduced coenzyme F420 (F420H2). The F420H2 donates electrons for reduction of the remaining methyl groups to methane requiring transfer of electrons from Fdx2- to F420. HdrA1B1C1 is proposed to catalyze FBEB-dependent oxidation of Fdx2- for the endergonic reduction of F420 driven by the exergonic reduction of CoMS–SCoB. In H2- independent acetotrophic pathways, the methyl group of acetate is reduced to methane with electrons derived from oxidation of the carbonyl group mediated by Fdx. Electron transport involves a membrane-bound complex (Rnf) that oxidizes Fdx2- and generates a Na+ gradient driving ATP synthesis. It is postulated that F420 is reduced by Rnf requiring HdrA2B2C2 catalyzing FBEB-dependent oxidation of F420H2 for the endergonic reduction of Fdx driven by the exergonic reduction of CoMS–SCoB. The Fdx2- is recycled by Rnf and HdrA2B2C2 thereby conserving energy. The HdrA2B2C2 is also proposed to play a role in Fe(III)-dependent reverse methanogenesis. A flavin-based electron confurcating (FBEC) HdrABC complex is proposed for nitrate-dependent reverse methanogenesis in which the oxidation of CoM-SH/CoB-SH and Fdx2- is coupled to reduction of F420. The F420H2 donates electrons to a membrane complex that generates a proton gradient driving ATP synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States
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15
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Prakash D, Walters KA, Martinie RJ, McCarver AC, Kumar AK, Lessner DJ, Krebs C, Golbeck JH, Ferry JG. Toward a mechanistic and physiological understanding of a ferredoxin:disulfide reductase from the domains Archaea and Bacteria. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:9198-9209. [PMID: 29720404 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Disulfide reductases reduce other proteins and are critically important for cellular redox signaling and homeostasis. Methanosarcina acetivorans is a methane-producing microbe from the domain Archaea that produces a ferredoxin:disulfide reductase (FDR) for which the crystal structure has been reported, yet its biochemical mechanism and physiological substrates are unknown. FDR and the extensively characterized plant-type ferredoxin:thioredoxin reductase (FTR) belong to a distinct class of disulfide reductases that contain a unique active-site [4Fe-4S] cluster. The results reported here support a mechanism for FDR similar to that reported for FTR with notable exceptions. Unlike FTR, FDR contains a rubredoxin [1Fe-0S] center postulated to mediate electron transfer from ferredoxin to the active-site [4Fe-4S] cluster. UV-visible, EPR, and Mössbauer spectroscopic data indicated that two-electron reduction of the active-site disulfide in FDR involves a one-electron-reduced [4Fe-4S]1+ intermediate previously hypothesized for FTR. Our results support a role for an active-site tyrosine in FDR that occupies the equivalent position of an essential histidine in the active site of FTR. Of note, one of seven Trxs encoded in the genome (Trx5) and methanoredoxin, a glutaredoxin-like enzyme from M. acetivorans, were reduced by FDR, advancing the physiological understanding of FDR's role in the redox metabolism of methanoarchaea. Finally, bioinformatics analyses show that FDR homologs are widespread in diverse microbes from the domain Bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Prakash
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
| | - Karim A Walters
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
| | - Ryan J Martinie
- Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 and
| | - Addison C McCarver
- the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
| | - Adepu K Kumar
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
| | - Daniel J Lessner
- the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
| | - Carsten Krebs
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and.,Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 and
| | - John H Golbeck
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and.,Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 and
| | - James G Ferry
- From the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and
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16
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Vullo D, Kumar RSS, Scozzafava A, Ferry JG, Supuran CT. Sulphonamide inhibition studies of the β-carbonic anhydrase from the bacterial pathogen Clostridium perfringens. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2017; 33:31-36. [PMID: 29098923 PMCID: PMC6009973 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2017.1388233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The β-carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) from the pathogenic bacterium Clostridium perfringens (CpeCA) was recently characterised kinetically and for its anion inhibition profile. In the search of effective CpeCA inhibitors, possibly useful to inhibit the growth/pathogenicity of this bacterium, we report here an inhibition study of this enzyme with a panel of aromatic, heterocyclic and sugar sulphonamides/sulphamates. Some sulphonamides, such as acetazolamide, ethoxzolamide, dichlorophenamide, dorzolamide, sulthiame and 4-(2-hydroxymethyl-4-nitrophenyl-sulphonamido)ethylbenzenesulphonamide were effective CpeCA inhibitors, with KIs in the range of 37.4-71.6 nM. Zonisamide and saccharin were the least effective such inhibitors, whereas many other aromatic and heterocyclic sulphonamides were moderate - weak inhibitors with KIs ranging between 113 and 8755 nM. Thus, this study provides the basis for developing better clostridial enzyme inhibitors with potential as antiinfectives with a new mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Vullo
- a Chemistry Department, Laboratorio di Chimica Bioinorganica , Università degli Studi di Firenze , Florence , Italy
| | - R Siva Sai Kumar
- b Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA
| | - Andrea Scozzafava
- a Chemistry Department, Laboratorio di Chimica Bioinorganica , Università degli Studi di Firenze , Florence , Italy
| | - James G Ferry
- b Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA
| | - Claudiu T Supuran
- a Chemistry Department, Laboratorio di Chimica Bioinorganica , Università degli Studi di Firenze , Florence , Italy.,c NEUROFARBA Department, Sezione di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Nutraceutiche , Università degli Studi di Firenze , Florence , Italy
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17
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Guan Y, Haroon MF, Alam I, Ferry JG, Stingl U. Single-cell genomics reveals pyrrolysine-encoding potential in members of uncultivated archaeal candidate division MSBL1. Environ Microbiol Rep 2017; 9:404-410. [PMID: 28493460 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Pyrrolysine (Pyl), the 22nd canonical amino acid, is only decoded and synthesized by a limited number of organisms in the domains Archaea and Bacteria. Pyl is encoded by the amber codon UAG, typically a stop codon. To date, all known Pyl-decoding archaea are able to carry out methylotrophic methanogenesis. The functionality of methylamine methyltransferases, an important component of corrinoid-dependent methyltransfer reactions, depends on the presence of Pyl. Here, we present a putative pyl gene cluster obtained from single-cell genomes of the archaeal Mediterranean Sea Brine Lakes group 1 (MSBL1) from the Red Sea. Functional annotation of the MSBL1 single cell amplified genomes (SAGs) also revealed a complete corrinoid-dependent methyl-transfer pathway suggesting that members of MSBL1 may possibly be capable of synthesizing Pyl and metabolizing methylated amines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Guan
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed F Haroon
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Intikhab Alam
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Computational Bioscience Research Center, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Ulrich Stingl
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
- Department for Microbiology & Cell Science, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida/IFAS, Davie, FL, 33314, USA
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18
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Ayayee PA, Larsen T, Rosa C, Felton GW, Ferry JG, Hoover K. Essential Amino Acid Supplementation by Gut Microbes of a Wood-Feeding Cerambycid. Environ Entomol 2016; 45:66-73. [PMID: 26396228 PMCID: PMC6283015 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvv153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Insects are unable to synthesize essential amino acids (EAAs) de novo, thus rely on dietary or symbiotic sources for them. Wood is a poor resource of nitrogen in general, and EAAs in particular. In this study, we investigated whether gut microbiota of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), a cerambycid that feeds in the heartwood of healthy host trees, serve as sources of EAAs to their host under different dietary conditions. δ(13)C-stable isotope analyses revealed significant δ(13)C-enrichment (3.4 ± 0.1‰; mean ± SEM) across five EAAs in wood-fed larvae relative to their woody diet. δ(13)C values for the consumers greater than 1‰ indicate significant contributions from non-dietary EAA sources (symbionts in this case). In contrast, δ(13)C-enrichment of artificial diet-fed larvae (controls) relative to their food source was markedly less (1.7 ± 0.1‰) than was observed in wood-fed larvae, yet still exceeded the threshold of 1‰. A predictive model based on δ(13)CEAA signatures of five EAAs from representative bacterial, fungal, and plant samples identified symbiotic bacteria and fungi as the likely supplementary sources of EAA in wood-fed larvae. Using the same model, but with an artificial diet as the dietary source, we identified minor supplementary bacterial sources of EAA in artificial diet-fed larvae. This study highlights how microbes associated with A. glabripennis can serve as a source of EAAs when fed on nutrient-limited diets, potentially circumventing the dietary limitations of feeding on woody substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Ayayee
- Current address: Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210 Columbus, OH, USA , Department of Entomology and Centre for Chemical Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, 16802 University Park, PA, USA (; ; ),
| | - Thomas Larsen
- Christian-Albrechts Universitat zu Kiel, Leibniz-Laboratory for Radiometric Dating and Stable Isotope Research, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Cristina Rosa
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, PA
| | - Gary W Felton
- Department of Entomology and Centre for Chemical Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, 16802 University Park, PA, USA (; ; )
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, PA , and
| | - Kelli Hoover
- Department of Entomology and Centre for Chemical Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, 16802 University Park, PA, USA (; ; ),
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19
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Nazem-Bokaee H, Gopalakrishnan S, Ferry JG, Wood TK, Maranas CD. Assessing methanotrophy and carbon fixation for biofuel production by Methanosarcina acetivorans. Microb Cell Fact 2016; 15:10. [PMID: 26776497 PMCID: PMC4716644 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-015-0404-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Methanosarcina acetivorans is a model archaeon with renewed interest due to its unique reversible methane production pathways. However, the mechanism and relevant pathways implicated in (co)utilizing novel carbon substrates in this organism are still not fully understood. This paper provides a comprehensive inventory of thermodynamically feasible routes for anaerobic methane oxidation, co-reactant utilization, and maximum carbon yields of major biofuel candidates by M. acetivorans. Results Here, an updated genome-scale metabolic model of M. acetivorans is introduced (iMAC868 containing 868 genes, 845 reactions, and 718 metabolites) by integrating information from two previously reconstructed metabolic models (i.e., iVS941 and iMB745), modifying 17 reactions, adding 24 new reactions, and revising 64 gene-protein-reaction associations based on newly available information. The new model establishes improved predictions of growth yields on native substrates and is capable of correctly predicting the knockout outcomes for 27 out of 28 gene deletion mutants. By tracing a bifurcated electron flow mechanism, the iMAC868 model predicts thermodynamically feasible (co)utilization pathway of methane and bicarbonate using various terminal electron acceptors through the reversal of the aceticlastic pathway. Conclusions This effort paves the way in informing the search for thermodynamically feasible ways of (co)utilizing novel carbon substrates in the domain Archaea. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-015-0404-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Nazem-Bokaee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Saratram Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Thomas K Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Costas D Maranas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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20
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Soo VWC, McAnulty MJ, Tripathi A, Zhu F, Zhang L, Hatzakis E, Smith PB, Agrawal S, Nazem-Bokaee H, Gopalakrishnan S, Salis HM, Ferry JG, Maranas CD, Patterson AD, Wood TK. Reversing methanogenesis to capture methane for liquid biofuel precursors. Microb Cell Fact 2016; 15:11. [PMID: 26767617 PMCID: PMC4714516 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-015-0397-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Energy from remote methane reserves is transformative; however, unintended release of this potent greenhouse gas makes it imperative to convert methane efficiently into more readily transported biofuels. No pure microbial culture that grows on methane anaerobically has been isolated, despite that methane capture through anaerobic processes is more efficient than aerobic ones. Results Here we engineered the archaeal methanogen Methanosarcina acetivorans to grow anaerobically on methane as a pure culture and to convert methane into the biofuel precursor acetate. To capture methane, we cloned the enzyme methyl-coenzyme M reductase (Mcr) from an unculturable organism, anaerobic methanotrophic archaeal population 1 (ANME-1) from a Black Sea mat, into M. acetivorans to effectively run methanogenesis in reverse. Starting with low-density inocula, M. acetivorans cells producing ANME-1 Mcr consumed up to 9 ± 1 % of methane (corresponding to 109 ± 12 µmol of methane) after 6 weeks of anaerobic growth on methane and utilized 10 mM FeCl3 as an electron acceptor. Accordingly, increases in cell density and total protein were observed as cells grew on methane in a biofilm on solid FeCl3. When incubated on methane for 5 days, high-densities of ANME-1 Mcr-producing M. acetivorans cells consumed 15 ± 2 % methane (corresponding to 143 ± 16 µmol of methane), and produced 10.3 ± 0.8 mM acetate (corresponding to 52 ± 4 µmol of acetate). We further confirmed the growth on methane and acetate production using 13C isotopic labeling of methane and bicarbonate coupled with nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, as well as RNA sequencing. Conclusions We anticipate that our metabolically-engineered strain will provide insights into how methane is cycled in the environment by Archaea as well as will possibly be utilized to convert remote sources of methane into more easily transported biofuels via acetate. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-015-0397-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie W C Soo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - Michael J McAnulty
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - Arti Tripathi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - Fayin Zhu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - Limin Zhang
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA. .,Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Emmanuel Hatzakis
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - Philip B Smith
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - Saumya Agrawal
- Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, 0632, New Zealand.
| | - Hadi Nazem-Bokaee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - Saratram Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - Howard M Salis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - Costas D Maranas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - Andrew D Patterson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
| | - Thomas K Wood
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802-4400, USA.
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21
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Yenugudhati D, Prakash D, Kumar AK, Kumar RSS, Yennawar NH, Yennawar HP, Ferry JG. Structural and Biochemical Characterizations of Methanoredoxin from Methanosarcina acetivorans, a Glutaredoxin-Like Enzyme with Coenzyme M-Dependent Protein Disulfide Reductase Activity. Biochemistry 2015; 55:313-21. [PMID: 26684934 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b00823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are thiol-disulfide oxidoreductases abundant in prokaryotes, although little is understood of these enzymes from the domain Archaea. The numerous characterized GRXs from the domain Bacteria utilize a diversity of low-molecular-weight thiols in addition to glutathione as reductants. We report here the biochemical and structural properties of a GRX-like protein named methanoredoxin (MRX) from Methanosarcina acetivorans of the domain Archaea. MRX utilizes coenzyme M (CoMSH) as reductant for insulin disulfide reductase activity, which adds to the diversity of thiol protectants in prokaryotes. Cell-free extracts of M. acetivorans displayed CoMS-SCoM reductase activity that complements the CoMSH-dependent activity of MRX. The crystal structure exhibits a classic thioredoxin-glutaredoxin fold comprising three α-helices surrounding four antiparallel β-sheets. A pocket on the surface contains a CVWC motif, identifying the active site with architecture similar to GRXs. Although it is a monomer in solution, the crystal lattice has four monomers in a dimer of dimers arrangement. A cadmium ion is found within the active site of each monomer. Two such ions stabilize the N-terminal tails and dimer interfaces. Our modeling studies indicate that CoMSH and glutathione (GSH) bind to the active site of MRX similar to the binding of GSH in GRXs, although there are differences in the amino acid composition of the binding motifs. The results, combined with our bioinformatic analyses, show that MRX represents a class of GRX-like enzymes present in a diversity of methane-producing Archaea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Yenugudhati
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ‡Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Divya Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ‡Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Adepu K Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ‡Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - R Siva Sai Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ‡Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Neela H Yennawar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ‡Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Hemant P Yennawar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ‡Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ‡Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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Wei Y, Li B, Prakash D, Ferry JG, Elliott SJ, Stubbe J. A Ferredoxin Disulfide Reductase Delivers Electrons to the Methanosarcina barkeri Class III Ribonucleotide Reductase. Biochemistry 2015; 54:7019-28. [PMID: 26536144 PMCID: PMC4697749 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b01092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Two subtypes of class III anaerobic ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) studied so far couple the reduction of ribonucleotides to the oxidation of formate, or the oxidation of NADPH via thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase. Certain methanogenic archaea contain a phylogenetically distinct third subtype of class III RNR, with distinct active-site residues. Here we report the cloning and recombinant expression of the Methanosarcina barkeri class III RNR and show that the electrons required for ribonucleotide reduction can be delivered by a [4Fe-4S] protein ferredoxin disulfide reductase, and a conserved thioredoxin-like protein NrdH present in the RNR operon. The diversity of class III RNRs reflects the diversity of electron carriers used in anaerobic metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University , 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Divya Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Sean J Elliott
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University , 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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Kumar AK, Kumar RSS, Yennawar NH, Yennawar HP, Ferry JG. Structural and Biochemical Characterization of a Ferredoxin:Thioredoxin Reductase-like Enzyme from Methanosarcina acetivorans. Biochemistry 2015; 54:3122-8. [PMID: 25915695 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Bioinformatics analyses predict the distribution in nature of several classes of diverse disulfide reductases that evolved from an ancestral plant-type ferredoxin:thioredoxin reductase (FTR) catalytic subunit to meet a variety of ecological needs. Methanosarcina acetivorans is a methane-producing species from the domain Archaea predicted to encode an FTR-like enzyme with two domains, one resembling the FTR catalytic subunit and the other containing a rubredoxin-like domain replacing the variable subunit of present-day FTR enzymes. M. acetivorans is of special interest as it was recently proposed to have evolved at the time of the end-Permian extinction and to be largely responsible for the most severe biotic crisis in the fossil record by converting acetate to methane. The crystal structure and biochemical characteristics were determined for the FTR-like enzyme from M. acetivorans, here named FDR (ferredoxin disulfide reductase). The results support a role for the rubredoxin-like center of FDR in transfer of electrons from ferredoxin to the active-site [Fe₄S₄] cluster adjacent to a pair of redox-active cysteines participating in reduction of disulfide substrates. A mechanism is proposed for disulfide reduction similar to one of two mechanisms previously proposed for the plant-type FTR. Overall, the results advance the biochemical and evolutionary understanding of the FTR-like family of enzymes and the conversion of acetate to methane that is an essential link in the global carbon cycle and presently accounts for most of this greenhouse gas that is biologically generated.
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Abstract
Acetate and acetyl-CoA play fundamental roles in all of biology, including anaerobic prokaryotes from the domains Bacteria and Archaea, which compose an estimated quarter of all living protoplasm in Earth's biosphere. Anaerobes from the domain Archaea contribute to the global carbon cycle by metabolizing acetate as a growth substrate or product. They are components of anaerobic microbial food chains converting complex organic matter to methane, and many fix CO2 into cell material via synthesis of acetyl-CoA. They are found in a diversity of ecological habitats ranging from the digestive tracts of insects to deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and synthesize a plethora of novel enzymes with biotechnological potential. Ecological investigations suggest that still more acetate-metabolizing species with novel properties await discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Mueller TJ, Grisewood MJ, Nazem-Bokaee H, Gopalakrishnan S, Ferry JG, Wood TK, Maranas CD. Methane oxidation by anaerobic archaea for conversion to liquid fuels. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 42:391-401. [DOI: 10.1007/s10295-014-1548-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Given the recent increases in natural gas reserves and associated drawbacks of current gas-to-liquids technologies, the development of a bioconversion process to directly convert methane to liquid fuels would generate considerable industrial interest. Several clades of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) are capable of performing anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). AOM carried out by ANME offers carbon efficiency advantages over aerobic oxidation by conserving the entire carbon flux without losing one out of three carbon atoms to carbon dioxide. This review highlights the recent advances in understanding the key enzymes involved in AOM (i.e., methyl-coenzyme M reductase), the ecological niches of a number of ANME, the putative metabolic pathways for AOM, and the syntrophic consortia that they typically form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Mueller
- grid.29857.31 0000000120974281 Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA
| | - Matthew J Grisewood
- grid.29857.31 0000000120974281 Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA
| | - Hadi Nazem-Bokaee
- grid.29857.31 0000000120974281 Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA
| | - Saratram Gopalakrishnan
- grid.29857.31 0000000120974281 Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA
| | - James G Ferry
- grid.29857.31 0000000120974281 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology The Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA
| | - Thomas K Wood
- grid.29857.31 0000000120974281 Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA
- grid.29857.31 0000000120974281 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology The Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA
| | - Costas D Maranas
- grid.29857.31 0000000120974281 Department of Chemical Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park PA USA
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Abstract
Carbonic anhydrase is a metalloenzyme catalyzing the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate. Five independently evolved classes have been described for which one or more are found in nearly every cell type underscoring the general importance of this ubiquitous enzyme in Nature. The bulk of research to date has centered on the enzymes from mammals and plants with less emphasis on prokaryotes. Prokaryotic carbonic anhydrases play important roles in the ecology of Earth's biosphere including acquisition of CO2 for photosynthesis and the physiology of aerobic and anaerobic prokaryotes decomposing the photosynthate back to CO2 thereby closing the global carbon cycle. This review focuses on the physiology and biochemistry of carbonic anhydrases from prokaryotes belonging to the domains Bacteria and Archaea that play key roles in the ecology of Earth's biosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Siva Sai Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ebery College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA,
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Appel AM, Bercaw JE, Bocarsly AB, Dobbek H, DuBois DL, Dupuis M, Ferry JG, Fujita E, Hille R, Kenis PJA, Kerfeld CA, Morris RH, Peden CHF, Portis AR, Ragsdale SW, Rauchfuss TB, Reek JNH, Seefeldt LC, Thauer RK, Waldrop GL. Frontiers, opportunities, and challenges in biochemical and chemical catalysis of CO2 fixation. Chem Rev 2013; 113:6621-58. [PMID: 23767781 PMCID: PMC3895110 DOI: 10.1021/cr300463y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1262] [Impact Index Per Article: 114.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M. Appel
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - John E. Bercaw
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Andrew B. Bocarsly
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Holger Dobbek
- Institut für Biologie, Strukturbiologie/Biochemie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel L. DuBois
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Michel Dupuis
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - James G. Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16801, United States
| | - Etsuko Fujita
- Chemistry Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973-5000, United States
| | - Russ Hille
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Paul J. A. Kenis
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Cheryl A. Kerfeld
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive Walnut Creek, California 94598, United States, and Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, 111 Koshland Hall Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Robert H. Morris
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Charles H. F. Peden
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Archie R. Portis
- Departments of Crop Sciences and Plant Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Stephen W. Ragsdale
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Thomas B. Rauchfuss
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Joost N. H. Reek
- van’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lance C. Seefeldt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 0300 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Rudolf K. Thauer
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl von Frisch Strasse 10, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Grover L. Waldrop
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States
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Ferry JG. Carbonic anhydrases of anaerobic microbes. Bioorg Med Chem 2013; 21:1392-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2012.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Revised: 12/02/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Zimmerman S, Domsic JF, Tu C, Robbins AH, McKenna R, Silverman DN, Ferry JG. Role of Trp19 and Tyr200 in catalysis by the γ-class carbonic anhydrase from Methanosarcina thermophila. Arch Biochem Biophys 2012; 529:11-7. [PMID: 23111186 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2012.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Revised: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/17/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Although widely distributed in Nature, only two γ class carbonic anhydrases are reported besides the founding member (Cam). Although roles for active-site residues important for catalysis have been identified in Cam, second shell residues have not been investigated. Two residues (Trp19 and Tyr200), positioned distant from the catalytic metal, were investigated by structural and kinetic analyses of replacement variants. Steady-state k(cat)/K(m) and k(cat) values decreased 3- to 10-fold for the Trp19 variants whereas the Y200 variants showed up to a 5-fold increase in k(cat). Rate constants for proton transfer decreased up to 10-fold for the Trp19 variants, and an increase of ~2-fold for Y200F. The pK(a) values for the proton donor decreased 1-2 pH units for Trp19 and Y200 variants. The variant structures revealed a loop composed of residues 62-64 that occupies a different conformation than previously reported. The results show that, although Trp19 and Y200 are non-essential, they contribute to an extended active-site structure distant from the catalytic metal that fine tunes catalysis. Trp19 is important for both CO(2)/bicarbonate interconversion, and the proton transfer step of catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Zimmerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Abstract
Background Acetate is the major source of methane in nature. The majority of investigations have focused on acetotrophic methanogens for which energy-conserving electron transport is dependent on the production and consumption of H2 as an intermediate, although the great majority of acetotrophs are unable to metabolize H2. The presence of cytochrome c and a complex (Ma-Rnf) homologous to the Rnf (Rhodobacter nitrogen fixation) complexes distributed in the domain Bacteria distinguishes non-H2-utilizing Methanosarcina acetivorans from H2-utilizing species suggesting fundamentally different electron transport pathways. Thus, the membrane-bound electron transport chain of acetate-grown M. acetivorans was investigated to advance a more complete understanding of acetotrophic methanogens. Results A component of the CO dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA synthase (CdhAE) was partially purified and shown to reduce a ferredoxin purified using an assay coupling reduction of the ferredoxin to oxidation of CdhAE. Mass spectrometry analysis of the ferredoxin identified the encoding gene among annotations for nine ferredoxins encoded in the genome. Reduction of purified membranes from acetate-grown cells with ferredoxin lead to reduction of membrane-associated multi-heme cytochrome c that was re-oxidized by the addition of either the heterodisulfide of coenzyme M and coenzyme B (CoM-S-S-CoB) or 2-hydoxyphenazine, the soluble analog of methanophenazine (MP). Reduced 2-hydoxyphenazine was re-oxidized by membranes that was dependent on addition of CoM-S-S-CoB. A genomic analysis of Methanosarcina thermophila, a non-H2-utilizing acetotrophic methanogen, identified genes homologous to cytochrome c and the Ma-Rnf complex of M. acetivorans. Conclusions The results support roles for ferredoxin, cytochrome c and MP in the energy-conserving electron transport pathway of non-H2-utilizing acetotrophic methanogens. This is the first report of involvement of a cytochrome c in acetotrophic methanogenesis. The results suggest that diverse acetotrophic Methanosarcina species have evolved diverse membrane-bound electron transport pathways leading from ferredoxin and culminating with MP donating electrons to the heterodisulfide reductase (HdrDE) for reduction of CoM-S-S-CoB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4500, USA
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Kumar AK, Yennawar NH, Yennawar HP, Ferry JG. Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of a novel plant-type ferredoxin/thioredoxin reductase-like protein from Methanosarcina acetivorans. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2011; 67:775-8. [PMID: 21795791 PMCID: PMC3144793 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309111017234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The genome of Methanosarcina acetivorans contains a gene (ma1659) that is predicted to encode an uncharacterized chimeric protein containing a plant-type ferredoxin/thioredoxin reductase-like catalytic domain in the N-terminal region and a bacterial-like rubredoxin domain in the C-terminal region. To understand the structural and functional properties of the protein, the ma1659 gene was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Crystals of the MA1659 protein were grown by the sitting-drop method using 2 M ammonium sulfate, 0.1 M HEPES buffer pH 7.5 and 0.1 M urea. Diffraction data were collected to 2.8 Å resolution using the remote data-collection feature of the Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The crystal belonged to the primitive cubic space group P23 or P2(1)3, with unit-cell parameters a=b=c=92.72 Å. Assuming the presence of one molecule in the asymmetric unit gave a Matthews coefficient (VM) of 3.55 Å3 Da(-1), corresponding to a solvent content of 65%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adepu K. Kumar
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, PA 16802, USA
| | - Neela H. Yennawar
- Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, PA 16802, USA
| | - Hemant P. Yennawar
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, PA 16802, USA
| | - James G. Ferry
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, PA 16802, USA
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Ferry JG. Fundamentals of methanogenic pathways that are key to the biomethanation of complex biomass. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2011; 22:351-7. [PMID: 21555213 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2011.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2010] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The conversion of biomass to CH4 (biomethanation) involves an anaerobic microbial food chain composed of at least three metabolic groups of which the first two decompose the complex biomass primarily to acetate, formate, and H2. The thermodynamics of these conversions are unfavorable requiring a symbiosis with the CH4-producing group (methanogens) that metabolize the decomposition products to favorable concentrations. The methanogens produce CH4 by two major pathways, conversion of the methyl group of acetate and reduction of CO2 coupled to the oxidation of formate or H2. This review covers recent advances in the fundamental understanding of both methanogenic pathways with the view of stimulating research towards improving the rate and reliability of the overall biomethanation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16801, United States.
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Satish Kumar V, Ferry JG, Maranas CD. Metabolic reconstruction of the archaeon methanogen Methanosarcina Acetivorans. BMC Syst Biol 2011; 5:28. [PMID: 21324125 PMCID: PMC3048526 DOI: 10.1186/1752-0509-5-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2010] [Accepted: 02/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methanogens are ancient organisms that are key players in the carbon cycle accounting for about one billion tones of biological methane produced annually. Methanosarcina acetivorans, with a genome size of ~5.7 mb, is the largest sequenced archaeon methanogen and unique amongst the methanogens in its biochemical characteristics. By following a systematic workflow we reconstruct a genome-scale metabolic model for M. acetivorans. This process relies on previously developed computational tools developed in our group to correct growth prediction inconsistencies with in vivo data sets and rectify topological inconsistencies in the model. RESULTS The generated model iVS941 accounts for 941 genes, 705 reactions and 708 metabolites. The model achieves 93.3% prediction agreement with in vivo growth data across different substrates and multiple gene deletions. The model also correctly recapitulates metabolic pathway usage patterns of M. acetivorans such as the indispensability of flux through methanogenesis for growth on acetate and methanol and the unique biochemical characteristics under growth on carbon monoxide. CONCLUSIONS Based on the size of the genome-scale metabolic reconstruction and extent of validated predictions this model represents the most comprehensive up-to-date effort to catalogue methanogenic metabolism. The reconstructed model is available in spreadsheet and SBML formats to enable dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Satish Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Abstract
Most of the methane produced in nature derives from the methyl group of acetate, the major end product of anaerobes decomposing complex plant material. The acetate is derived from the metabolic intermediate acetyl-CoA via the combined activities of phosphotransacetylase and acetate kinase. In Methanosarcina species, the enzymes function in the reverse direction to activate acetate to acetyl-CoA prior to cleavage into a methyl and carbonyl group of which the latter is oxidized providing electrons for reduction of the former to methane. Thus, phosphotransacetylase and acetate kinase have a central role in the conversion of complex organic matter to methane by anaerobic microbial food chains. Both enzymes have been purified from Methanosarcina thermophila and characterized. Both enzymes from M. thermophila have also been produced in Escherichia coli permitting crystal structures and amino acid variants, the kinetic and biochemical studies of which have lead to proposals for catalytic mechanisms. The high identity of both enzymes to paralogs in the domain Bacteria suggests ancient origins and common mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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Abstract
Methane produced in the biosphere is derived from two major pathways. Conversion of the methyl group of acetate to CH(4) in the aceticlastic pathway accounts for at least two-thirds, and reduction of CO(2) with electrons derived from H(2), formate, or CO accounts for approximately one-third. Although both pathways have terminal steps in common, they diverge considerably in the initial steps and energy conservation mechanisms. Steps and enzymes unique to the CO(2) reduction pathway are confined to methanogens and the domain Archaea. On the other hand, steps and enzymes unique to the aceticlastic pathway are widely distributed in the domain Bacteria, the understanding of which has contributed to a broader understanding of prokaryotic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16801, USA.
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Abstract
Methanosarcina sp. strain TM-1 and Methanosarcina acetivorans produced and consumed H(2) to maintain H(2) partial pressures of 16 to 92 Pa in closed cultures during growth on acetate. Strain TM-1 produced H(2) continuously when H(2) was continuously removed from the culture. The potential physiological significance of H(2) in acetate metabolism to methane is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Lovley
- Department of Anaerobic Microbiology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
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Sowers KR, Baron SF, Ferry JG. Methanosarcina acetivorans sp. nov., an Acetotrophic Methane-Producing Bacterium Isolated from Marine Sediments. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 47:971-8. [PMID: 16346552 PMCID: PMC240030 DOI: 10.1128/aem.47.5.971-978.1984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A new acetotrophic marine methane-producing bacterium that was isolated from the methane-evolving sediments of a marine canyon is described. Exponential phase cultures grown with sodium acetate contained irregularly shaped cocci that aggregated in the early stationary phase and finally differentiated into communal cysts that released individual cocci when ruptured or transferred to fresh medium. The irregularly shaped cocci (1.9 +/- 0.2 mm in diameter) were gram negative and occurred singly or in pairs. Cells were nonmotile, but possessed a single fimbria-like structure. Micrographs of thin sections showed a monolayered cell wall approximately 10 nm thick that consisted of protein subunits. The cells in aggregates were separated by visible septation. The communal cysts contained several single cocci encased in a common envelope. An amorphous form of the communal cyst that had incomplete septation and internal membrane-like vesicles was also present in late exponential phase cultures. Sodium acetate, methanol, methylamine, dimethylamine, and trimethylamine were substrates for growth and methanogenesis; H(2)-CO(2) (80:20) and sodium formate were not. The optimal growth temperature was 35 to 40 degrees C. The optimal pH range was 6.5 to 7.0. Both NaCl and Mg were required for growth, with maximum growth rates at 0.2 M NaCl and 0.05 M MgSO(4). The DNA base composition was 41 +/- 1% guanine plus cytosine. Methanosarcina acetivorans is the proposed species. C2A is the type strain (DSM 2834, ATCC 35395).
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Sowers
- Department of Anaerobic Microbiology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
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Sowers KR, Ferry JG. Isolation and Characterization of a Methylotrophic Marine Methanogen, Methanococcoides methylutens gen. nov., sp. nov. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 45:684-90. [PMID: 16346215 PMCID: PMC242344 DOI: 10.1128/aem.45.2.684-690.1983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A new genus of marine methanogenic bacteria is described that utilizes trimethylamine, diethylamine, monomethylamine, and methanol as substrates for growth and methanogenesis. Methane was not produced from H(2)-CO(2), sodium formate, or sodium acetate. Growth on trimethylamine was stimulated by yeast extract, Trypticase (BBL Microbiology Systems, Cockeysville, Md.), rumen fluid, or B vitamins. The optimal growth temperature was 30 to 35 degrees C. The maximum growth rate was between pH 7.0 and 7.5. Na (0.4 M) and MgSO(4) (0.05 M) were required for maximum growth. Colonies of the type strain, TMA-10, were yellow, circular, and convex with entire edges. Cells were nonmotile, nonsporeforming, irregular cocci 1 mum in diameter which stained gram negative and occurred singly or in pairs. Micrographs of thin sections revealed a monolayered cell wall approximately 10-nm thick which consisted of protein. Cells were lysed in 0.01% sodium dodecyl sulfate or 0.001% Triton X-100. The DNA base composition was 42 mol% guanine plus cytosine. Methanococcoides is the proposed genus and Methanococcoides methylutens is the type species. TMA-10 is the type strain (ATCC 33938).
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Affiliation(s)
- K R Sowers
- Department of Anaerobic Microbiology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
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Zimmerman SA, Tomb JF, Ferry JG. Characterization of CamH from Methanosarcina thermophila, founding member of a subclass of the {gamma} class of carbonic anhydrases. J Bacteriol 2010; 192:1353-60. [PMID: 20023030 PMCID: PMC2820857 DOI: 10.1128/jb.01164-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2009] [Accepted: 12/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The homotrimeric enzyme Mt-Cam from Methanosarcina thermophila is the archetype of the gamma class of carbonic anhydrases. A search of databases queried with Mt-Cam revealed that a majority of the homologs comprise a putative subclass (CamH) in which there is major conservation of all of the residues essential for the archetype Mt-Cam except Glu62 and an acidic loop containing the essential proton shuttle residue Glu84. The CamH homolog from M. thermophila (Mt-CamH) was overproduced in Escherichia coli and characterized to validate its activity and initiate an investigation of the CamH subclass. The Mt-CamH homotrimer purified from E. coli cultured with supplemental zinc (Zn-Mt-CamH) contained 0.71 zinc and 0.15 iron per monomer and had k(cat) and k(cat)/K(m) values that were substantially lower than those for the zinc form of Mt-Cam (Zn-Mt-Cam). Mt-CamH purified from E. coli cultured with supplemental iron (Fe-Mt-CamH) was also a trimer containing 0.15 iron per monomer and only a trace amount of zinc and had an effective k(cat) (k(cat)(eff)) value normalized for iron that was 6-fold less than that for the iron form of Mt-Cam, whereas the k(cat)/K(m)(eff) was similar to that for Fe-Mt-Cam. Addition of 50 mM imidazole to the assay buffer increased the k(cat)(eff) of Fe-Mt-CamH more than 4-fold. Fe-Mt-CamH lost activity when it was exposed to air or 3% H(2)O(2), which supports the hypothesis that Fe(2+) has a role in the active site. The k(cat) for Fe-Mt-CamH was dependent on the concentration of buffer in a way that indicates that it acts as a second substrate in a "ping-pong" mechanism accepting a proton. The k(cat)/K(m) was not dependent on the buffer, consistent with the mechanism for all carbonic anhydrases in which the interconversion of CO(2) and HCO(3)(-) is separate from intermolecular proton transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina A. Zimmerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4500, E. I. DuPont de Nemours Company, Central Research and Development, Experimental Station, Wilmington, Delaware 19880
| | - Jean-Francois Tomb
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4500, E. I. DuPont de Nemours Company, Central Research and Development, Experimental Station, Wilmington, Delaware 19880
| | - James G. Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4500, E. I. DuPont de Nemours Company, Central Research and Development, Experimental Station, Wilmington, Delaware 19880
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Abstract
Homologs of the gamma class of carbonic anhydrases, one of five independently evolved classes, are found in the genomic sequences of diverse species from all three domains of life. The archetype (Cam) from the Archaea domain is a homotrimer of which the crystal structure reveals monomers with a distinctive left-handed parallel beta-helix fold. Histidines from adjacent monomers ligate the three active site metals surrounded by residues in a hydrogen bond network essential for activity. Cam is most active with iron, the physiologically relevant metal. Although the active site residues bear little resemblance to the other classes, kinetic analyses indicate a two-step mechanism analogous to all carbonic anhydrases investigated. Phylogenetic analyses of Cam homologs derived from the databases show that Cam is representative of a minor subclass with the great majority belonging to a subclass (CamH) with significant differences in active site residues and apparent mechanism from Cam. A physiological function for any of the Cam and CamH homologs is unknown, although roles in transport of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate across membranes has been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, USA.
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Zafar MN, Tasca F, Gorton L, Patridge EV, Ferry JG, Nöll G. Tryptophan repressor-binding proteins from Escherichia coli and Archaeoglobus fulgidus as new catalysts for 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent amperometric biosensors and biofuel cells. Anal Chem 2009; 81:4082-8. [PMID: 19438267 DOI: 10.1021/ac900365n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The tryptophan (W) repressor-binding proteins (WrbA) from Escherichia coli (EcWrbA) and Archaeoglobus fulgidus (AfWrbA) were investigated for possible use in 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dependent amperometric biosensors and biofuel cells. EcWrbA and AfWrbA are oligomeric flavoproteins binding one flavin mononucleotide (FMN) per monomer and belonging to a new family of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductases (NQOs). The enzymes were covalently linked to a low potential Os redox polymer onto graphite in the presence of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) preparations of varying average lengths. The performance of the enzyme modified electrodes for NADH oxidation was strongly depending on the average length of the applied SWCNTs. By blending the Os redox polymer with SWCNTs, the electrocatalytic current could be increased up to a factor of 5. Results obtained for AfWrbA modified electrodes were better than those for EcWrbA. For NADH detection, a linear range between 5 microM and 1 mM, a lower limit of detection of 3 microM, and a sensitivity of 56.5 nA microM(-1) cm(-2) could be reached. Additionally spectroelectrochemical measurements were carried out in order to determine the midpoint potentials of the enzymes (-115 mV vs NHE for EcWrbA and -100 mV vs NHE for AfWrbA pH 7.0). Furthermore, an AfWrbA modified electrode was used as an anode in combination with a Pt black cathode as a biofuel cell prototype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nadeem Zafar
- Department of Analytical Chemistry/Biochemistry, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
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Doerfert SN, Reichlen M, Iyer P, Wang M, Ferry JG. Methanolobus zinderi sp. nov., a methylotrophic methanogen isolated from a deep subsurface coal seam. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2009; 59:1064-9. [PMID: 19406794 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.003772-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A methanogenic organism from the domain Archaea (SD1(T)) was isolated from saline water released from a coal seam located 926 m below the surface via a methane-producing well near Monroe, Louisiana, USA. Growth and methanogenesis were supported with methanol, monomethylamine, dimethylamine or trimethylamine, but not with dimethylsulfide, formate, acetate or H(2)/CO(2). Cells grew in high-salt minimal medium but growth was stimulated with yeast extract or tryptone. Cells were single, non-motile, irregular coccoids 0.5-1.0 microm in diameter and the cell wall contained protein. Conditions for the maximum rate of growth were 40-50 degrees C, 0.2-0.6 M NaCl, 100->or=200 mM MgCl(2), and pH 7.0-8.0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 42+/-1mol %. A comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SD1(T) was most closely related to Methanolobus oregonensis DSM 5435(T) with 96 % gene sequence similarity. It is proposed that strain SD1(T) represents a novel species, Methanolobus zinderi sp. nov. The type strain is SD1(T) (=ATCC BAA-1601(T)=DSM 21339(T)).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian N Doerfert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Macauley SR, Zimmerman SA, Apolinario EE, Evilia C, Hou YM, Ferry JG, Sowers KR. The archetype gamma-class carbonic anhydrase (Cam) contains iron when synthesized in vivo. Biochemistry 2009; 48:817-9. [PMID: 19187031 DOI: 10.1021/bi802246s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A recombinant protein overproduction system was developed in Methanosarcina acetivorans to facilitate biochemical characterization of oxygen-sensitive metalloenzymes from strictly anaerobic species in the Archaea domain. The system was used to overproduce the archetype of the independently evolved gamma-class carbonic anhydrase. The overproduced enzyme was oxygen sensitive and had full incorporation of iron instead of zinc observed when overproduced in Escherichia coli. This, the first report of in vivo iron incorporation for any carbonic anhydrase, supports the need to reevaluate the role of iron in all classes of carbonic anhydrases derived from anaerobic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheridan R Macauley
- Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, USA
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Innocenti A, Zimmerman SA, Scozzafava A, Ferry JG, Supuran CT. Carbonic anhydrase activators: Activation of the archaeal β-class (Cab) and γ-class (Cam) carbonic anhydrases with amino acids and amines. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2008; 18:6194-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2008.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2008] [Revised: 09/29/2008] [Accepted: 10/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Suharti S, Murakami KS, de Vries S, Ferry JG. Structural and biochemical characterization of flavoredoxin from the archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans. Biochemistry 2008; 47:11528-35. [PMID: 18842001 DOI: 10.1021/bi801012p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Flavoredoxin is a FMN-containing electron transfer protein that functions in the energy-yielding metabolism of Desulfovibrio gigas of the Bacteria domain. Although characterization of this flavoredoxin is the only one reported, a database search revealed homologues widely distributed in both the Bacteria and Archaea domains that define a novel family. To improve our understanding of this family, a flavoredoxin from Methanosarcina acetivorans of the Archaea domain was produced in Escherichia coli and biochemically characterized, and a high-resolution crystal structure was determined. The protein was shown to be a homodimer with a subunit molecular mass of 21 kDa containing one noncovalently bound FMN per monomer. Redox titration showed an E(m) of -271 mV with two electrons, consistent with no semiquinone observed in the potential range studied, a result suggesting the flavoredoxin functions as a two-electron carrier. However, neither of the obligate two-electron carriers, NAD(P)H and coenzyme F420H2, was a competent electron donor, whereas 2[4Fe-4S] ferredoxin reduced the flavoredoxin. The X-ray crystal structure determined at 2.05 A resolution revealed a homodimer containing one FMN per monomer, consistent with the biochemical characterization. The isoalloxazine ring of FMN was shown buried within a narrow groove approximately 10 A from the positively charged protein surface that possibly facilitates interaction with the negatively charged ferredoxin. The structure provides a basis for predicting the mechanism by which electrons are transferred between ferredoxin and FMN. The FMN is bound with hydrogen bonds to the isoalloxazine ring and electrostatic interactions with the phosphate moiety that, together with sequence analyses of homologues, indicate a novel FMN binding motif for the flavoredoxin family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suharti Suharti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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Abstract
The anaerobic conversion of complex organic matter to CH(4) is an essential link in the global carbon cycle. In freshwater anaerobic environments, the organic matter is decomposed to CH(4) and CO(2) by a microbial food chain that terminates with methanogens that produce methane primarily by reduction of the methyl group of acetate and also reduction of CO(2). The process also occurs in marine environments, particularly those receiving large loads of organic matter, such as coastal sediments. The great majority of research on methanogens has focused on marine and freshwater CO(2)-reducing species, and freshwater acetate-utilizing species. Recent molecular, biochemical, bioinformatic, proteomic, and microarray analyses of the marine isolate Methanosarcina acetivorans has revealed that the pathway for acetate conversion to methane differs significantly from that in freshwater methanogens. Similar experimental approaches have also revealed striking contrasts with freshwater species for the pathway of CO-dependent CO(2) reduction to methane by M. acetivorans. The differences in both pathways reflect an adaptation by M. acetivorans to the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Abstract
Acetate kinase, a member of the acetate and sugar kinase/Hsc 70/actin (ASKHA) structural superfamily, catalyzes the reversible transfer of the gamma-phosphoryl group from ATP to acetate, yielding ADP and acetyl phosphate. A catalytic mechanism for the enzyme from Methanosarcina thermophila has been proposed on the basis of the crystal structure and kinetic analyses of amino acid replacement variants. The Gln43Trp variant was generated to further investigate the catalytic mechanism via changes in fluorescence. The dissociation constants for ADP.Mg2+ and ATP.Mg2+ ligands were determined for the Gln43Trp variant and double variants generated by replacing Arg241 and Arg91 with Ala and Lys. The dissociation constants and kinetic analyses indicated roles for the arginines in transition state stabilization for catalysis but not in nucleotide binding. The results also provide the first experimental evidence for domain motion and evidence that catalysis does not occur as two independent active sites of the homodimer but the active site activities are coordinated in a half-the-sites manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gorrell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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Abstract
Methanosarcina acetivorans, a strictly anaerobic methane-producing species belonging to the domain Archaea, contains a gene cluster annotated with homologs encoding oxidative stress proteins. One of the genes (MA3736) is annotated as a gene encoding an uncharacterized carboxymuconolactone decarboxylase, an enzyme required for aerobic growth with aromatic compounds by species in the domain Bacteria. Methane-producing species are not known to utilize aromatic compounds, suggesting that MA3736 is incorrectly annotated. The product of MA3736, overproduced in Escherichia coli, had protein disulfide reductase activity dependent on a C(67)XXC(70) motif not found in carboxymuconolactone decarboxylase. We propose that MA3736 be renamed mdrA (methanosarcina disulfide reductase). Further, unlike carboxymuconolactone decarboxylase, MdrA contained an Fe-S cluster. Binding of the Fe-S cluster was dependent on essential cysteines C(67) and C(70), while cysteines C(39) and C(107) were not required. Loss of the Fe-S cluster resulted in conversion of MdrA from an inactive hexamer to a trimer with protein disulfide reductase activity. The data suggest that MdrA is the prototype of a previously unrecognized protein disulfide reductase family which contains an intermolecular Fe-S cluster that controls oligomerization as a mechanism to regulate protein disulfide reductase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Lessner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Abstract
Five independently evolved classes (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-, zeta-) of carbonic anhydrases facilitate the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate of which the alpha-class is the most extensively studied. Detailed inhibition studies of the alpha-class with the two main classes of inhibitors, sulfonamides and metal-complexing anions, revealed many inhibitors that are used as therapeutic agents to prevent and treat many diseases. Recent inhibitor studies of the archaeal beta-class (Cab) and the gamma-class (Cam) carbonic anhydrases show differences in inhibition response to sulfonamides and metal-complexing anions, when compared to the alpha-class carbonic anhydrases. In addition, inhibition between Cab and Cam differ. These inhibition patterns are consistent with the idea that although, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-class carbonic anhydrases participate in the same two-step isomechanism, diverse active site architecture among these classes predicts variations on the catalytic mechanism. These inhibitor studies of the archaeal beta- and gamma-class carbonic anhydrases give insight to new applications of current day carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, as well as direct research to develop new compounds that may be specific inhibitors of prokaryotic carbonic anhydrases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina A Zimmerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-4500, USA
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Li L, Li Q, Rohlin L, Kim U, Salmon K, Rejtar T, Gunsalus RP, Karger BL, Ferry JG. Quantitative proteomic and microarray analysis of the archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans grown with acetate versus methanol. J Proteome Res 2007; 6:759-71. [PMID: 17269732 PMCID: PMC2577390 DOI: 10.1021/pr060383l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Methanosarcina acetivorans strain C2A is an acetate- and methanol-utilizing methane-producing organism for which the genome, the largest yet sequenced among the Archaea, reveals extensive physiological diversity. LC linear ion trap-FTICR mass spectrometry was employed to analyze acetate- vs methanol-grown cells metabolically labeled with 14N vs 15N, respectively, to obtain quantitative protein abundance ratios. DNA microarray analyses of acetate- vs methanol-grown cells was also performed to determine gene expression ratios. The combined approaches were highly complementary, extending the physiological understanding of growth and methanogenesis. Of the 1081 proteins detected, 255 were > or =3-fold differentially abundant. DNA microarray analysis revealed 410 genes that were > or =2.5-fold differentially expressed of 1972 genes with detected expression. The ratios of differentially abundant proteins were in good agreement with expression ratios of the encoding genes. Taken together, the results suggest several novel roles for electron transport components specific to acetate-grown cells, including two flavodoxins each specific for growth on acetate or methanol. Protein abundance ratios indicated that duplicate CO dehydrogenase/acetyl-CoA complexes function in the conversion of acetate to methane. Surprisingly, the protein abundance and gene expression ratios indicated a general stress response in acetate- vs methanol-grown cells that included enzymes specific for polyphosphate accumulation and oxidative stress. The microarray analysis identified transcripts of several genes encoding regulatory proteins with identity to the PhoU, MarR, GlnK, and TetR families commonly found in the Bacteria domain. An analysis of neighboring genes suggested roles in controlling phosphate metabolism (PhoU), ammonia assimilation (GlnK), and molybdopterin cofactor biosynthesis (TetR). Finally, the proteomic and microarray results suggested roles for two-component regulatory systems specific for each growth substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyun Li
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Qingbo Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Center for Microbial Structural Biology, 205 South Frear Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
| | - Lars Rohlin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - UnMi Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Kirsty Salmon
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Tomas Rejtar
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Robert P. Gunsalus
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, and the Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Barry L. Karger
- Barnett Institute and Department of Chemistry, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115
| | - James G. Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Center for Microbial Structural Biology, 205 South Frear Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel.: 814/863-5721; Fax: 814/863-6217; E-mail:
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