Inhibition of vitamin B12-dependent microbial growth by nitrous oxide.
In methionine-free media, nitrous oxide inhibits the growth of an auxotrophic strain of Escherichia coli lacking a cobalamin-independent pathway for the de novo synthesis of methionine. Prototrophic E. coli is similarly inhibited by nitrous oxide if the cobalamin-independent pathway is selectively depressed by sulfanilamide. Nitrous oxide thus effectively inactivates cobalamin-dependent 5-methyltetrahydrofolate--homocysteine methyltransferase (methionine synthase, EC 2.1.1.13) in intact bacteria.
Alston
T A
TA
Department of Anesthesia, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D008715:Methionine / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077145:Sulfanilamide; D013424:Sulfanilamides / Q000494:pharmacology; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013424:Sulfanilamides; D000077145:Sulfanilamide; D008715:Methionine; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D014805:Vitamin B 12