Abstract
Methane formation from H2 and CO2 in methanogenic bacteria is a Na+-dependent process. In this communication the effects of Na+ ionophores, of uncouplers, and of Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitors on methane formation from H2 and CO2 were studied with Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum.
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1.
Na+ ionophores (the Na+/H+ antiporters monensin and lasalocid and the Na+ uniporter gramicidin) stimulated methanogenesis at lwo external Na+ concentrations when the K+ concentration was high. The ionophores had no effect at high external Na+ concentrations and were inhibitory at low external K+ concentrations.
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2.
Uncouplers (protonophores and valinomycin plus K+) inhibited methanogenesis at low external Na+ concentration at both low and high external K+ concentrations. Inhibition by uncouplers was relieved by the addition of either Na+ or Na+ ionophores.
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3.
Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitors (harmaline, amiloride, and NH +4 ) inhibited methanogenesis at low external Na+ concentration. Inhibition was relieved by the addition of either Na+ or of the Na+ ionophores.
The results are discussed with respect to the role of Na transport across the cytoplasmic membrane in methanogenesis from H2 and CO2.
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Schönheit, P., Beimborn, D.B. Monensin and gramicidin stimulate CH4 formation from H2 and CO2 in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum at low external Na+ concentration. Arch. Microbiol. 146, 181–185 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402348
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402348