title: Catalytic Protein Film Electrochemistry Provides a Direct Measure of the Tetrathionate/Thiosulfate Reduction Potential.
abstract: The tetrathionate/thiosulfate interconversion is a two-electron process: S4O6(2-) + 2 e(-) ↔ 2 S2O3(2-). Both transformations can support bacterial growth since S2O3(2-) provides an energy source, while S4O6(2-) serves as respiratory electron acceptor. Interest in the corresponding S2O3(2-) oxidation also arises from its widespread use in volumetric analysis of oxidizing agents and bleach neutralization during water treatment. Here we report protein film electrochemistry that defines the reduction potential of the S4O6(2-)/S2O3(2-) couple. The relevant interconversion is not reversible at inert electrodes. However, facile reduction of S4O6(2-) to S2O3(2-) and the reverse reaction are catalyzed by enzymes of the thiosulfate dehydrogenase, TsdA, family adsorbed on graphite electrodes. Zero-current potentials measured with different enzymes, at three pH values, and multiple S4O6(2-) and S2O3(2-) concentrations together with the relevant Nernst equation resolved the tetrathionate/thiosulfate reduction potential as +198 ± 4 mV versus SHE. This potential lies in the ∼250 mV window encompassing previously reported values calculated from parameters including the free energy of formation. However, the value is considerably more positive than widely used in discussions of bacterial bioenergetics. As a consequence anaerobic respiration by tetrathionate reduction is likely to be more prevalent than presently thought in tetrathionate-containing environments such as marine sediments and the human gut.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Mikrobiologie & Biotechnologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn , Meckenheimer Allee 168, D-53115 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kurth
authors.affiliation: Institut für Mikrobiologie & Biotechnologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn , Meckenheimer Allee 168, D-53115 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.affiliation: Centre for Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, School of Chemistry, and School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia , Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Julea N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Butt
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D013885:Thiosulfates / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D013885:Thiosulfates