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The in vivo hydrocarbon formation by vanadium nitrogenase follows a secondary metabolic pathway.

ABSTRACT: The vanadium (V)-nitrogenase of Azotobacter vinelandii catalyses the in vitro conversion of carbon monoxide (CO) to hydrocarbons. Here we show that an A. vinelandii strain expressing the V-nitrogenase is capable of in vivo reduction of CO to ethylene (C₂H₄), ethane (C₂H₆) and propane (C₃H₈). Moreover, we demonstrate that CO is not used as a carbon source for cell growth, being instead reduced to hydrocarbons in a secondary metabolic pathway. These findings suggest a possible role of the ancient nitrogenase as an evolutionary link between the carbon and nitrogen cycles on Earth and establish a solid foundation for biotechnological adaptation of a whole-cell approach to recycling carbon wastes into hydrocarbon products. Thus, this study has several repercussions for evolution-, environment- and energy-related areas.

SUBMITTER: Rebelein JG

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5172229 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The in vivo hydrocarbon formation by vanadium nitrogenase follows a secondary metabolic pathway.

Rebelein Johannes G JG Lee Chi Chung CC Hu Yilin Y Ribbe Markus W MW

Nature communications 20161215

The vanadium (V)-nitrogenase of Azotobacter vinelandii catalyses the in vitro conversion of carbon monoxide (CO) to hydrocarbons. Here we show that an A. vinelandii strain expressing the V-nitrogenase is capable of in vivo reduction of CO to ethylene (C2H4), ethane (C2H6) and propane (C3H8). Moreover, we demonstrate that CO is not used as a carbon source for cell growth, being instead reduced to hydrocarbons in a secondary metabol ...[more]

PMID: 27976719

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