Inhibition by trimethylamine of methylamine oxidation by Paracoccus denitrificans and bacterium W3A1.

Trimethylamine, a common substrate for methylotrophic growth, specifically inhibited methylamine-dependent respiration by Paracoccus denitrificans and bacterium W3A1. These effects were caused by the specific inhibition by trimethylamine of the periplasmic quinoprotein methylamine dehydrogenase. Steady-state kinetic analysis of the effect of trimethylamine on methylamine oxidation by methylamine dehydrogenase indicated that the inhibition was a mixed type. Apparent Ki values for trimethylamine of 1.1 mM and 4.7 mM, respectively, were obtained for the P. denitrificans and bacterium W3A1 enzymes. Methylamine-dependent oxygen consumption by each bacterium was inhibited either by preincubation of cells with trimethylamine prior to the addition of substrate or by addition of trimethylamine to actively respiring cells. Formate-dependent respiration was not inhibited by trimethylamine. A scheme is proposed which describes a regulatory role for trimethylamine in the metabolism and dissimilation of methylamine by methylotrophic bacteria.