Microbial growth on C1 compounds. 6. Oxidation of methanol, formaldehyde and formate by methanol-grown Pseudomonas AM 1

Abstract

Several studies have been made of the oxidation of C, compounds by microorganisms grown on such compounds as sole source of carbon. In some cases, rather different results have been obtained by different workers. Kaneda & Roxburgh (1959) obtained evidence for an NAD+-linked methanol dehydrogenase in methanol-grown Pseudomonas PRL-W 4, whereas neither Harrington & Kallio (1960) nor Anthony & Zatman (1963) found such an enzyme in methanol-grown Pseudomonas methanica or Pseudlomonas sp. M 27 respectively. Instead, Harrington & Kallio (1960) suggested that methanol was oxidized by P. methanica '...via a catalaselinked peroxidase to formaldehyde which in turn is oxidized by a substrate specific aldehyde dehydrogenase requiring NADI and GSH.. . '. Anthony & Zatman (1963) showed by inhibitor experiments that methanol oxidation by Pseudomonas sp. M 27 was independent of catalase and instead found a methanol dehydrogenase that could be linked to phenazine methosulphate. It is somewhat unexpected that such closely similar bacteria should display different oxidation pathways for methanol, and to furnish further information on this question we present below a study of the oxidation of C1 compounds by methanol-grown Pseudomonas AM 1 and a comparative study of the oxidation of C1 compounds by three other types of bacteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS Growth of the organisMs. Pseudomonas AM 1 was grown on methanol as described by Peel & Quayle (1961). The same medium was used for the growth of Pseudomonas extorquens (Bassalik, 1913) and Protaminobacter ruber

Methanol Dissimilation in Xanthobacter H4-14: Activities, Induction and Comparison to Pseudomonas AMI and Paracoccus denitrificans

“…The FDH from Xanthobacter H4-14 was specific for formate and passed electrons to NAD+, DCPIP or NBT, but not NADP+. It is distinct from the FDH purified from Pseudomonas AM1 in terms of pH preference and sensitivity to cuprous and ferrous salts (Johnson & Quayle, 1964) and is considerably smaller than the FDH obtained from Pseudomonas 0-ualaticus (Muller et al, 1978). The difference in properties among these enzymes that perform the same function is intriguing.…”

“…1 . 1 ) from P. denirrifificwzs was measured as described by Johnson & Quayle (1964) with the following changes : 50 mM-potassium phosphate (pH 8.0), 0.5 mM-NAD+, 2.5 mM-reduced glutathione (GSH) and 10 mM-formaldehyde. The assay of FADH in Xanthoharrer H4-14 is described in Results.…”

“…I . 2 ; FDH) in extracts of Xanrhobucter H4-14 and Pseudomonas AM 1 was assayed by the method of Johnson & Quayle (1964) with the following changes: 50 mM-potassium phosphate (pH 7.0). 0.5 mM-NAD+ and 10 mM-sodium formate.…”

Methylobacillus: a New Genus of Obligately Methylotrophic Bacteria

“…In assaying for the presence of an NAD(P)-independent formaldehyde dehydrogenase, there were, in a total volume of 1 ml, either 50 pmol of Tris-maleate buffer (pH 8. (12).…”

Purification and Properties of an NAD(P)+-linked Formaldehyde Dehydrogenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath)

“…Theoretically, this pathway could generate two molecules of NAD(P)H per molecule of formaldehyde oxidized. (1) Johnson & Quayle, 1964; (2) Harrington & Kallio, 1960; (3) Hampton & Zatman, 1973 ; (4) Boulton & Large, Patel & Felix, 1976; (14) Mehta, 1973. To date, no formaldehyde dehydrogenase has been found in Methylococcus capsulatus (Texas) (Patel & Hoare, 1971) or M . capsulatus (Bath) other than the non-specific primary alcohol dehydrogenase, present in both.…”