Zeikus J G, Kerby R, Krzycki J A
Science. 1985 Mar 8;227(4691):1167-73. doi: 10.1126/science.3919443.
Methanogenic and acetogenic bacteria metabolize carbon monoxide, methanol, formate, hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases and, in the case of certain methanogens, acetate, by single-carbon (C1) biochemical mechanisms. Many of these reactions occur while the C1 compounds are linked to pteridine derivatives and tetrapyrrole coenzymes, including corrinoids, which are used to generate, reduce, or carbonylate methyl groups. Several metalloenzymes, including a nickel-containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, are used in both catabolic and anabolic oxidoreductase reactions. We propose biochemical models for coupling carbon and electron flow to energy conservation during growth on C1 compounds based on the carbon flow pathways inherent to acetogenic and methanogenic metabolism. Biological catalysts are therefore available which are comparable to those currently in use in the Monsanto process. The potentials and limitations of developing biotechnology based on these organisms or their enzymes and coenzymes are discussed.
产甲烷菌和产乙酸菌通过单碳（C1）生化机制代谢一氧化碳、甲醇、甲酸、氢气和二氧化碳气体，对于某些产甲烷菌而言，还能代谢乙酸。这些反应大多发生在C1化合物与蝶啶衍生物和四吡咯辅酶（包括类咕啉）相连时，这些辅酶用于生成、还原或羰基化甲基。包括含镍一氧化碳脱氢酶在内的几种金属酶用于分解代谢和合成代谢氧化还原反应。我们基于产乙酸和产甲烷代谢固有的碳流途径，提出了在C1化合物上生长期间将碳和电子流与能量守恒相耦合的生化模型。因此，存在与目前孟山都工艺中使用的生物催化剂相当的生物催化剂。讨论了基于这些生物体及其酶和辅酶开发生物技术的潜力和局限性。
