title: Formation and metabolism of methylmalonyl coenzyme A in Corynebacterium glutamicum.
abstract: Genome sequence information suggests that B(12)-dependent mutases are present in a number of bacteria, including members of the suborder Corynebacterineae like Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Corynebacterium glutamicum. We here functionally identify a methylmalonyl coenzyme A (CoA) mutase in C. glutamicum that is retained in all of the members of the suborder Corynebacterineae and is encoded by NCgl1471, NCgl1472, and NCgl1470. In addition, we observe the presence of methylmalonate in C. glutamicum, reaching concentrations of up to 757 nmol g (dry weight)(-1) in propionate-grown cells, whereas in Escherichia coli no methylmalonate was detectable. As demonstrated with a mutase deletion mutant, the presence of methylmalonate in C. glutamicum is independent of mutase activity but possibly due to propionyl-CoA carboxylase activity. During growth on propionate, increased mutase activity has severe cellular consequences, resulting in growth arrest and excretion of succinate. The physiological context of the mutase present in members of the suborder Corynebacterineae is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biotechnology 1, Jülich Forschungszentrum, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
authors.forename: Laure
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Botella
authors.forename: Nic D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Lindley
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eggeling
mesh_terms: D000214:Acyl Coenzyme A / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D048230:Corynebacterium glutamicum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry; D017353:Gene Deletion; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D043586:Methylmalonyl-CoA Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D008765:Methylmalonyl-CoA Mutase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011422:Propionates / Q000378:metabolism; D019802:Succinic Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000214:Acyl Coenzyme A; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D011422:Propionates; C015357:methylmalonyl-coenzyme A; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid; D019802:Succinic Acid; D008765:Methylmalonyl-CoA Mutase; D043586:Methylmalonyl-CoA Decarboxylase; C029658:propionic acid