The fixA and fixB genes are necessary for anaerobic carnitine reduction in Escherichia coli

J Bacteriol. 2002 Jul;184(14):4044-7. doi: 10.1128/JB.184.14.4044-4047.2002.

Abstract

In Escherichia coli, the use of carnitine as a terminal electron acceptor depends on a functional caiTABCDE operon. It had been suggested that the adjacent but divergent fixABCX operon is also required for carnitine metabolism, perhaps to provide electrons for carnitine reduction. We have constructed E. coli fixA and fixB mutants and find that they are unable to reduce carnitine to gamma-butyrobetaine under anaerobic conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anaerobiosis
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Betaine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Betaine / metabolism
  • Carnitine / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development
  • Escherichia coli Proteins*
  • Flavoproteins*
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • FixA protein, E coli
  • Flavoproteins
  • fixB protein, E coli
  • Betaine
  • gamma-butyrobetaine
  • Carnitine