menaquinone-6 and fumaric-acid

The mechanisms underlying the use of insoluble electron acceptors by metal-reducing bacteria, such as Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, are currently under intensive study. Current models for shuttling electrons across the outer membrane (OM) of MR-1 include roles for OM cytochromes and the possible excretion of a redox shuttle. While MR-1 is able to release a substance that restores the ability of a menaquinone (MK)-negative mutant, CMA-1, to reduce the humic acid analog anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS), cross-feeding experiments conducted here showed that the substance released by MR-1 restores the growth of CMA-1 on several soluble electron acceptors. Various strains derived from MR-1 also release this substance; these include mutants lacking the OM cytochromes OmcA and OmcB and the OM protein MtrB. Even though strains lacking OmcB and MtrB cannot reduce Fe(III) or AQDS, they still release a substance that restores the ability of CMA-1 to use MK-dependent electron acceptors, including AQDS and Fe(III). Quinone analysis showed that this released substance restores MK synthesis in CMA-1. This ability to restore MK synthesis in CMA-1 explains the cross-feeding results and challenges the previous hypothesis that this substance represents a redox shuttle that facilitates metal respiration.

Topics: Electron Transport; Ferric Compounds; Fumarates; Iron; Kinetics; Nitrates; Oxidation-Reduction; Shewanella; Vitamin K 2

Wolinella succinogenes performs oxidative phosphorylation with fumarate instead of O2 as terminal electron acceptor and H2 or formate as electron donors. Fumarate reduction by these donors ('fumarate respiration') is catalyzed by an electron transport chain in the bacterial membrane, and is coupled to the generation of an electrochemical proton potential (Deltap) across the bacterial membrane. The experimental evidence concerning the electron transport and its coupling to Deltap generation is reviewed in this article. The electron transport chain consists of fumarate reductase, menaquinone (MK) and either hydrogenase or formate dehydrogenase. Measurements indicate that the Deltap is generated exclusively by MK reduction with H2 or formate; MKH2 oxidation by fumarate appears to be an electroneutral process. However, evidence derived from the crystal structure of fumarate reductase suggests an electrogenic mechanism for the latter process.

Topics: Bacillus subtilis; Binding Sites; Catalysis; Cell Membrane; Electron Transport; Energy Metabolism; Formate Dehydrogenases; Fumarates; Hydrogenase; Models, Chemical; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Phosphorylation; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Vitamin K 2; Wolinella