The deep-subsurface sulfate reducer Desulfotomaculum kuznetsovii employs two methanol-degrading pathways

Diana Z. Sousa, Michael Visser, Antonie H. Gelder, Sjef Boeren, Mervin M. Pieterse, Martijn W. H. Pinkse, Peter D. E. M. Verhaert, Carsten Vogt, Steffi Franke, Steffen Kümmel and Alfons J. M. Stams ()
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Diana Z. Sousa: Wageningen University & Research
Michael Visser: Wageningen University & Research
Antonie H. Gelder: Wageningen University & Research
Sjef Boeren: Wageningen University & Research
Mervin M. Pieterse: Delft University of Technology
Martijn W. H. Pinkse: Delft University of Technology
Peter D. E. M. Verhaert: Delft University of Technology
Carsten Vogt: UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
Steffi Franke: UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
Steffen Kümmel: UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research
Alfons J. M. Stams: Wageningen University & Research

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Methanol is generally metabolized through a pathway initiated by a cobalamine-containing methanol methyltransferase by anaerobic methylotrophs (such as methanogens and acetogens), or through oxidation to formaldehyde using a methanol dehydrogenase by aerobes. Methanol is an important substrate in deep-subsurface environments, where thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria of the genus Desulfotomaculum have key roles. Here, we study the methanol metabolism of Desulfotomaculum kuznetsovii strain 17T, isolated from a 3000-m deep geothermal water reservoir. We use proteomics to analyze cells grown with methanol and sulfate in the presence and absence of cobalt and vitamin B12. The results indicate the presence of two methanol-degrading pathways in D. kuznetsovii, a cobalt-dependent methanol methyltransferase and a cobalt-independent methanol dehydrogenase, which is further confirmed by stable isotope fractionation. This is the first report of a microorganism utilizing two distinct methanol conversion pathways. We hypothesize that this gives D. kuznetsovii a competitive advantage in its natural environment.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02518-9

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