Hydrogenase 3 but not hydrogenase 4 is major in hydrogen gas production by Escherichia coli formate hydrogenlyase at acidic pH and in the presence of external formate.

Fermenting Escherichia coli is able to produce formate and molecular hydrogen (H2) when grown on glucose. H2 formation is possessed by two hydrogenases, 3 (Hyd-3) and 4 (Hyd-4), those, in conjunction with formate dehydrogenase H (Fdh-H), constitute distinct membrane-associated formate hydrogenylases. At slightly alkaline pH (pH 7.5), the production of H2 was found to be dependent on Hyd-4 and the F(0)F(1)-adenosine triphosphate (ATPase), whereas external formate increased the activity of Hyd-3. In this study with cells grown without and with external formate, H2 production dependent on pH was investigated. In both types of cells, H2 production was increased after lowering of pH. At acidic pH (pH 5.5), this production became insensitive either to N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or to osmotic shock and it became largely dependent on Fdh-H and Hyd-3 but not Hyd-4 and the F(0)F(1)-ATPase. The results indicate that Hyd-3 has a major role in H2 production at acidic pH independently on the F(0)F(1)-ATPase.