title: Measuring isotope fractionation by autotrophic microorganisms and enzymes.
abstract: Physical, chemical, and biological processes commonly discriminate among stable isotopes. Therefore, the stable isotope compositions of biomass, growth substrates, and products often carry the isotopic fingerprints of the processes that shape them. Therefore, measuring isotope fractionation by enzymes and cultures of autotrophic microorganisms can provide insights at many levels, from metabolism to ecosystem function. Discussed here are considerations relevant to measuring isotope discrimination by enzymes as well as intact cells, with an emphasis on stable one-carbon isotopes and autotrophic microorganisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Girguis
mesh_terms: D052818:Autotrophic Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007554:Isotopes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D007554:Isotopes; D008697:Methane