acetivorans [33] This result is consistent with the previously

acetivorans [33]. This result is consistent with the previously

reported increased abundance of HdrA encoded by MA2868 in acetate- versus methanol-grown M. acetivorans [22] which opens the possibility that the Selumetinib clinical trial electron transport chain may terminate with both the membrane HdrDE or a soluble HdrABC heterodisulfide reductase. Of the nine putative 2 × [4Fe-4S] ferredoxins annotated for the genome of M. acetivorans, only the ferredoxin encoded by MA0431 was purified from acetate-grown cells. While it cannot be ruled out that other ferredoxins are synthesized in acetate-grown cells, the results suggest that the ferredoxin encoded by MA0431 is at least dominant in acetate-grown cells. Of the nine putative 2 × [4Fe-4S] CP673451 mouse ferredoxins, the one purified from M. acetivorans is most closely related to that isolated from acetate-grown M. thermophila [26], a result suggesting it is the preferred electron acceptor of CdhAE in acetate-grown Methanosarcina species. Interestingly, genes encoding subunits of Ma-Rnf or Ech hydrogenase are absent in the genome of the acetate-utilizing isolate Methanosaeta thermophila SBE-��-CD [19] that is also incapable of metabolizing H2 suggesting still other alternative electron transport

pathways coupled to generation of ion gradients driving ATP synthesis in acetate-utilizing methanogens. The physiological significance of these diverse electron transport pathways is yet to be determined; however, Vitamin B12 it has been suggested that avoiding H2 is advantageous to the marine isolate M. acetivorans since sulfate reducing species that dominate this environment outcompete methanogens for H2 potentially disrupting electron transport

[13]. It is important to note here that although M. acetivorans is incapable of growth with H2/CO2 it synthesizes all of the enzymes necessary for reduction of CO2 to methane and is capable of robust growth via the CO2-reduction pathway albeit with electrons derived from the oxidation of CO [34–36]. Comparative analysis of the M. thermophila genome M. thermophila is an acetotrophic Methanosarcina species incapable of metabolizing H2 [37, 38]. Analysis of the genomic sequence revealed a gene cluster identical in arrangement and homologous to genes encoding the six subunits of Ma-Rnf and multi-heme cytochrome c of M. acetivorans with deduced sequence identities ranging from 86 to 98% (Additional file 3, Figure S3A). Alignments of the deduced sequences showed strict conservation of heme-binding, flavin binding and iron-sulfur binding motifs suggesting conserved functions (Additional file 3, Figure S3B). Although not conclusive, these results are consistent with a role for the Ma-Rnf complex and multi-heme cytochrome c in the electron transport pathway of M. thermophila grown with acetate. Furthermore, the genome of M.

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