Wood J M, Moura I, Moura J J, Santos M H, Xavier A V, LeGall J, Scandellari M
Science. 1982 Apr 16;216(4543):303-5. doi: 10.1126/science.7063887.
When Methanosarcina barkeri is grown on methanol as the sole carbon source, a B12-containing protein is synthesized by this organism. This B12 protein contains bound aquocobalamin, and when this cofactor is reduced and methylated with [14C]methyl iodide, the resultant [14C]methyl B12 protein is extremely active in the biosynthesis of 14C-labeled methane. These findings indicate that a B12-dependent system is operative in the biological formation of methane in addition to other systems that are B12-independent.
当巴氏甲烷八叠球菌以甲醇作为唯一碳源生长时，该生物体可合成一种含维生素B12的蛋白质。这种维生素B12蛋白质含有结合态的水合钴胺素，当该辅因子用[14C]甲基碘进行还原和甲基化时，生成的[14C]甲基维生素B12蛋白质在14C标记甲烷的生物合成中具有极高的活性。这些发现表明，除了其他不依赖维生素B12的系统外，一个依赖维生素B12的系统在甲烷的生物形成过程中发挥作用。
