Nonacetogenic growth of the acetogen Acetobacterium woodii on 1,2-propanediol.
Acetogenic bacteria can grow by the oxidation of various substrates coupled to the reduction of CO2 in the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Here, we show that growth of the acetogen Acetobacterium woodii on 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD) as the sole carbon and energy source is independent of acetogenesis. Enzymatic measurements and metabolite analysis revealed that 1,2-PD is dehydrated to propionaldehyde, which is further oxidized to propionyl coenzyme A (propionyl-CoA) with concomitant reduction of NAD. NADH is reoxidized by reducing propionaldehyde to propanol. The potential gene cluster coding for the responsible enzymes includes genes coding for shell proteins of bacterial microcompartments. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of microcompartments as well as storage granules in cells grown on 1,2-PD. Gene clusters coding for the 1,2-PD pathway can be found in other acetogens as well, but the distribution shows no relation to the phylogeny of the organisms.
Molecular Microbiology & Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Kai
K
Schuchmann
Molecular Microbiology & Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Silke
S
Schmidt
Molecular Microbiology & Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Antonio
A
Martinez Lopez
Molecular Microbiology & Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Christina
C
Kaberline
Molecular Microbiology & Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Martin
M
Kuhns
Merck Stiftungsprofessur für Molekulare Biotechnologie, Fachbereich Biowissenschaften, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Wolfram
W
Lorenzen
Merck Stiftungsprofessur für Molekulare Biotechnologie, Fachbereich Biowissenschaften, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Helge B
HB
Bode
Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysik, Strukturbiologie, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Friederike
F
Joos
Molecular Microbiology & Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany vmueller@bio.uni-frankfurt.de.
Volker
V
Müller
D045855:Acetobacterium / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000378:metabolism*
D019946:Propylene Glycol