The roles of hydrogenases 3 and 4, and the F0F1-ATPase, in H2 production by Escherichia coli at alkaline and acidic pH

Karine Bagramyan, Nelli Mnatsakanyan, Anna Poladian, Anait Vassilian, Armen Trchounian

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139 Scopus citations

Abstract

The hyc operon of Escherichia coli encodes the H2-evolving hydrogenase 3 (Hyd-3) complex that, in conjunction with formate dehydrogenase H (Fdh-H), constitutes a membrane-associated formate hydrogenlyase (FHL) catalyzing the disproportionation of formate to CO2 and H2 during fermentative growth at low pH. Recently, an operon (hyf) encoding a potential second H2-evolving hydrogenase (Hyd-4) was identified in E. coli. In this study the roles of the hyc- and hyf-encoded systems in formate-dependent H2 production and Fdh-H activity have been investigated. In cells grown on glucose under fermentative conditions at slightly acidic pH the production of H2 was mostly Hyd-3- and Fdh-H-dependent, and Fdh-H activity was also mainly Hyd-3-dependent. However, at slightly alkaline pH, H2 production was found to be largely Hyd-4, Fdh-H and F0F1-ATPase-dependent, and Fdh-H activity was partially dependent on Hyd-4 and F0F1-ATPase. These results suggest that, at slightly alkaline pH, H2 production and Fdh-H activity are dependent on both the F0F1-ATPase and a novel FHL, designated FHL-2, which is composed of Hyd-4 and Fdh-H, and is driven by a proton gradient established by the F0F1-ATPase.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)172-178
Number of pages7
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume516
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 10 2002

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biophysics
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

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