Applied and Environmental Microbiology, January 2008, p. 540-542, Vol. 74, No. 2
0099-2240/08/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/AEM.01750-07
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
Methyl Sulfide Production by a Novel Carbon Monoxide Metabolism in Methanosarcina acetivorans
James J. Moran,1,2*
Christopher H. House,1*
Jennifer M. Vrentas,1 and
Katherine H. Freeman1
Department of Geosciences and The Penn State Astrobiology Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802,1
School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K12
Received 27 July 2007/
Accepted 7 November 2007
We observed dimethyl sulfide and methanthiol production in pure incubations of the methanogen Methanosarcina acetivorans when carbon monoxide (CO) served as the only electron donor. Energy conservation likely uses sodium ion gradients for ATP synthesis. This novel metabolism permits utilization of CO by the methanogen, resulting in quantitative sulfide methylation.
* Corresponding author. Mailing address for James J. Moran: School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1. Phone: (905) 525-9140, ext. 20122. Fax: (905) 546-0463. E-mail: jimjmoran{at}gmail.com. Mailing address for Christopher H. House: Department of Geosciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802. Phone: (814) 865-8802. Fax: (814) 863-7823. E-mail: c.h.house{at}gmail.com
Published ahead of print on 16 November 2007.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, January 2008, p. 540-542, Vol. 74, No. 2
0099-2240/08/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/AEM.01750-07
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2008 by the American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.