The fixA and fixB genes are necessary for anaerobic carnitine reduction in Escherichia coli.
In Escherichia coli, the use of carnitine as a terminal electron acceptor depends on a functional caiTABCDE operon. It had been suggested that the adjacent but divergent fixABCX operon is also required for carnitine metabolism, perhaps to provide electrons for carnitine reduction. We have constructed E. coli fixA and fixB mutants and find that they are unable to reduce carnitine to gamma-butyrobetaine under anaerobic conditions.
Walt
Angelique
A
Institute of Biological Chemistry and School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6340, USA.
Kahn
Michael L
ML
D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001622:Betaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D002331:Carnitine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D005420:Flavoproteins; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C098624:FixA protein, E coli; D005420:Flavoproteins; C068361:fixB protein, E coli; D001622:Betaine; C002889:gamma-butyrobetaine; D002331:Carnitine