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. 1986 Dec;168(3):1402–1407. doi: 10.1128/jb.168.3.1402-1407.1986

Source of carbon and hydrogen in methane produced from formate by Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus.

R Sparling, L Daniels
PMCID: PMC213652  PMID: 3782041

Abstract

Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus is able to produce methane either from H2-CO2 or from formate. The route of formate entry into the methanogenic pathway was investigated by using 2H2O or [13C]formate and analysis by mass spectrometry. When cells (H2-CO2 or formate grown) were transferred to formate medium in 95% 2H water, the proportion of 2H in methane was 95%. When cells (H2-CO2 or formate grown) were transferred to media containing [13C]formate in the presence of H2-CO2 or He-CO2, the ratio of 13CH4 to 12CH4 increased over time parallel to the ratio of 13CO2 to 12CO2. The cells catalyzed a significant exchange of label between [13C]formate and 13CO2.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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