title: Electron transport pathways for the oxidation of endogenous substrate(s) in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.
abstract: Oxidation of endogenous substrate(s) of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans with O2 or Fe3+ as electron acceptor was studied in the presence of uncouplers and electron transport inhibitors. Endogenous substrate was oxidized with a respiratory quotient (CO2 produced/O2 consumed) of 1.0, indicating its carbohydrate nature. The oxidation was inhibited by complex I inhibitors (rotenone, amytal, and piericidin A) only partially, but piericidin A inhibited the oxidation with Fe3+ nearly completely. The oxidation was stimulated by uncouplers, and the stimulated activity was more sensitive to inhibition by complex I inhibitors. HQNO (2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide) also stimulated the oxidation, and the stimulated respiration was more sensitive to KCN inhibition than uncoupler stimulated respiration. Fructose, among 20 sugars and sugar alcohols including glucose and mannose, was oxidized with a CO2/O2 ratio of 1.0 by the organism. Iron chelators in general stimulated endogenous respiration, but some of them reduced Fe3+ chemically, introducing complications. The results are discussed in view of a branched electron transport system of the organism and its possible control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. umchenyq2005@yahoo.ca
authors.forename: Yongqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Isamu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D042763:Acidithiobacillus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001386:Azides / Q000494:pharmacology; D004579:Electron Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D005632:Fructose / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006601:Hexoses / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006912:Hydroxyquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D008358:Mannose / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D011190:Potassium Cyanide / Q000494:pharmacology; D012402:Rotenone / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001386:Azides; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006601:Hexoses; D006912:Hydroxyquinolines; D012402:Rotenone; D005632:Fructose; D007501:Iron; D005947:Glucose; D011190:Potassium Cyanide; D008358:Mannose