Functionally distinct genes regulated by hydrogen limitation and growth rate in methanogenic Archaea.
The use of molecular hydrogen as electron donor for energy generation is a defining characteristic of the hydrogenotrophic methanogens, an ancient group that dominates the phylum Euryarchaeota. We present here a global study of changes in mRNA abundance in response to hydrogen availability for a hydrogenotrophic methanogen. Cells of Methanococcus maripaludis were grown by using continuous culture to deconvolute the effects of hydrogen limitation and growth rate, and microarray analyses were conducted. Hydrogen limitation markedly increased mRNA levels for genes encoding enzymes of the methanogenic pathway that reduce or oxidize the electron-carrying deazaflavin, coenzyme F(420). F(420)-dependent redox functions in energy-generating metabolism are characteristic of the methanogenic Archaea, and the results show that their regulation is distinct from other redox processes in the cell. Rapid growth increased mRNA levels of the gene for an unusual hydrogenase, the hydrogen-dependent methylenetetrahydromethanopterin dehydrogenase.
Hendrickson
Erik L
EL
Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Haydock
Andrew K
AK
Moore
Brian C
BC
Whitman
William B
WB
Leigh
John A
JA
D019843:Archaeal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019848:Gene Expression Regulation, Archaeal / Q000235:genetics*; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D017017:Methanococcus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
D019843:Archaeal Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006859:Hydrogen; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C033895:coenzyme F420 hydrogenase; D008697:Methane