Fermentation Catabolism of carbon in the absence of
Fermentation: Catabolism of carbon in the absence of a terminal electron acceptor (like O 2) for electron transport chain
Compare the DEh for putting electrons onto O 2 vs. lactate
The unusual fermentation of oxalate by Oxalobacter formigenes Thank goodness for this hard-working anaerobe in your gut: it degrades oxalate from amino acid catabolism, coffee, tea, fruits, veggies… and helps prevent kidney stones!! You can lose it by taking doxycycline and other antibiotics, but can regain it by… guess how?
And now for something completely different!
Photosynthesis and Autotrophy I. Photosynthesis A. General Aspects B. Classes of Photosynthetic Bacteria C. Mechanism of Photosynthesis 1. Anoxygenic Photosynthesis 2. Oxygenic Photosynthesis D. Halobacterium (light-driven H+ pump) II. Autotrophy A. General Aspects B. Types of Autotrophic Pathways
PHOTOSYNTHESIS (Photoautotrophy) Excited state photon X CO 2 NADP+ e- Ground state CH 2 O NADPH
PHOTOAUTOTROPHY: 2 reactions 1. LIGHT CHEMICAL ENERGY (ATP) 2. CO 2 reduction → Organic compounds
Phototrophic Prokaryotes: the metabolic menu Group Reducing power Oxidized product Purple nonsulfur bacteria H 2, reduced organic Oxidized organics Purple sulfur bacteria H 2 S SO 4 -2 Green non sulfur bacteria* H 2 S SO 4 -2 Heliobacteria** Lactate, organics Oxidized organics Cyanobacteria H 2 O O 2 Prochlorophytes*** H 2 O O 2 *Most ancient? **Gram positive, heterotrophs ***Related to cyanobacteria
Three types of photochemical energy capturing systems in microorganisms: 1. Carotenoid-based light-capturing system that is structurally similar to rhodopsin in eyes. In halophilic Archaea. 2. Anoxygenic (uses chlorophyll, no O 2 made) 3. Oxygenic (uses chlorophyll, splits water, generates oxygen)
Carotenoid-based (bacteriorhodopsin) -no chlorophyll, no metals: protein with G-protein coupled receptor-like structure plus chromophore (retinal) -chromophore is a long-chain hydrocarbon with extensive conjugation -ancient protection for oxygenic phototrophs against toxic O 2 -light-powered ion transfer Nagel et al. 2005. Mechanics of Biolenergetic Membrane Proteins 33: 863
Photosystems do not absorb at short enough wavelengths to split water, so must get e-’s somewhere else. Cyclic: electrons run in closed circuit
Photosystems can take light energy strong enough to split water. Non-cyclic (although cyclic can occur)
Chlorophyll: Light Harvesting Molecule Porphyrin (like heme in cytochromes, but Mg instead of Fe) Bacteriochlorophyll: Absorbs at ~700 nm; allows light harvesting at depths where light is low and environment is anoxic Not enough energy to extract e- from H 2 O; must use H 2 S instead Eventually, chlorophyll evolved. Utilizes a short enough wavelength (680 nm) to split H 2 O and generate O 2.
Consequence of oxyenic photosynthesis in evolution: *DNA absorbs UV at 260 nm; mutations occur *Some exant organisms are resistant to damaging radiation (e. g. Deinococcus radiodurans: survives 100 rad while 10 rads kills us… D. radiodurans is resistant to chromosome shattering and mutation) - O 2 is a reactive molecule: ·O 2 - - At first, protected by Fe+2 (ferrous iron): Fe+2 + O 2 Fe. OH 3 Banded iron formations from Wittenoom Gorge in Australia H 2 O 2 OH ·
Consequence of oxyenic photosynthesis in evolution: - Bacteria began evolving carotenoids: protection against singlet oxygen; convert to less toxic state - Eventually (at least 2 billion years ago), used up ferrous iron - Accumulation of O 2 in atmosphere - O 2 + sun (UV radiation) → O 3 (ozone) - Ozone screened out wavelengths below 290 nm - Life could evolve on land, because water no longer necessary to screen out damaging/mutagenic UV radiation
Production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) During normal cellular respiration, oxygen is reduced to water and highly reactive superoxide ( ·O 2 - ). Reactive oxygen species react with nucleic acids, sugars, proteins and lipids eventually leading to molecular degradation.
Cellular Defense Mechanisms Prevent ROS Buildup. - Due to the oxygen rich environment in which proteins exist, reactions with ROS are unavoidable. - Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase are natural antioxidants present in organisms which eliminate some ROS. Other molecules are antioxidants too (e. g. ascorbic acid, or Ignose/Godnose!) - Glutathione peroxidase catalyzes the reduction of peroxide by oxidizing glutathione (GSH) to GSSG.
Detection of algal blooms from satellites via remote sensing: relies on reflected spectral properties of chlorophylls. Nutrient upwelling (El Nino) = phytoplankton blooms
Photosynthesis in the open oceans • Compared to freshwater, nutrients (N, P, Fe) are limiting. Fewer cells found than in freshwater (only 106/m. L prokaryotes and 104 eukaryotes) • Because oceans are huge, collective O 2 production and CO 2 fixation there is a major contributor to Earth’s carbon balance. • Influence food chain, global climate • Many marine microbes use light to drive ATP synthesis. –Photic zone = upper 300 meters –Oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis –Chlorophylls a and b (cyanobacteria and relatives; algae) –Proteorhodopsin (very similar to bacteriorhodopsin but Bacteria, not Archaea)
Phototrophic Primary Producers (red = chlorophyll)
Phototrophic Prokaryotes: 1. 2. 3. Purple nonsulfur bacteria Green nonsulfur Purple sulfur bacteria (sulfur inside cell) 4. Green sulfur bacteria (sulfur outside cell 5. Domain Bacteria Heliobacteria (G+ relatives of Clostridium, endospores, N 2 fixation) 5. 6. 7. Cyanobacteria Prochlorophytes Halobacterium-type 1 group of “photocapable” prokaryotes in the Domain Archaea (the halobacteria = extreme halophiles [salt-loving])
Photosynthetic Prokaryotes Group Reducing power Oxidized product Purple nonsulfur bacteria H 2, reduced organic Oxidized organics Purple sulfur bacteria H 2 S SO 4 -2 Green non sulfur bacteria H 2 S SO 4 -2 Heliobacteria* Lactate, organics Oxidized organics Cyanobacteria H 2 O O 2 Prochlorophytes** H 2 O O 2 *Gram positive, heterotrophs **Related to cyanobacteria
Chlorophyll Diversity Different absorbance maxima = different niches… e. g. lower or higher in water column. Chlorophyll (cyanobacteria) = 680 nm Bchl a (purple bacteria) = 805, 870
Structure of bacteriochlorophylls
Accessory pigments: Carotenoids
Accessory pigments: Phycobilins
Photosynthetic Membranes Reaction center chlorophyll -few -convert light energy to ATP Light harvesting chlorophyll -many - “antenna” -captures “faint signal” of low light environments Accessory pigments Carotenoids Phycobilins
… light harvesting complex in cyanobacteria, plants
Mechanism of Photosynthesis 1) Anoxygenic Photosynthesis • Cyclic • Your text: Fig. 17. 14 , 17. 15, and 17. 18 • Purple Bacteria • Green Bacteria • Heliobacteria
Purple Bacteria (within phylum Proteobacteria) • photosynthetic membranes are lamellae or tubes with the plasma membrane • bacteriochlorophyll a or b • accessory pigments are purple colored carotenoid pigments (see Fig. 12. 5 in your text) • may live as photoheterotrophs two types: 1. sulfur 2. nonsulfur
Green Bacteria • photosynthetic membranes are vesicles attached to but not continuous with the plasma membrane • bacteriochlorophyll c, b, or e (small amount of a in LH and RC) • accessory pigments are yellow to brown-colored carotenoids • two types: 1. sulfur (green sulfur bacteria phylum) 2. nonsulfur (green nonsulfur bacteria phylum)
Heliobacteria • plasma membrane only (no specialized photosynthetic membranes) • bacteriochlorophyll g • Photoheterotrophs: require organic carbon • These are the only Gram-positive photosynthetic bacteria
Electron donors: H 2 S, Fe 2+, S 0, etc.
Anoxygenic Photosynthesis strong e- donor Purple bacteria
Purple bacteria Cyclic NAD(P)H and ATP can be generated by PMF
Many cyanobacteria can use H 2 S as an electron donor for anoxygenic photosynthesis. Elemental sulfur globules outside filamentous cyanobacterium Oscillatoria limnetica
Green bacterium (Chlorobium): external sulfur deposits Purple bacterium (Chromatium): internal sulfur deposits
Variation on the Theme ATP & NAD(P)H ATP only * * * Off to supply reducing power for CO 2 fixation via reverse citric acid cycle
Green Sulfur Bacteria (Chorobium, Chlorobaculum, Prosthecochloris) Aquatic, anoxic environments Most are facultative heterotrophs; strict autotrophy requires reverse TCA cycle Have chlorosomes: very efficient at light harvesting so live at great depths May form consortia – aggregates of cells that have differing metabolic duties; chemotrophic and phototrophic (epibiont) components. Example: Chlorochromatium aggregatum (not a formal taxonomic name because not a single species)
Green Non Sulfur Bacteria (Choroflexus) Filamentous, form microbial mats with cyanobacteria in neutral to alkaline hot springs Like Green Sulfur Bacteria: has chlorosomes But reaction center of in cell membrane is like purple bacteria Earliest known photosynthetic bacterium: perhaps reaction center first, chlorosome later by HGT Most are facultative heterotrophs; CO 2 fixation requires hydroxypropionate pathway (unique to very ancient organisms)
Light harvesting complex in green photosynthetic bacteria (both sulfur and non-sulfur) Chlorosome is a giant antenna: Bchl c, d, or e BP = baseplate (proteins) LH = light harvesting complex (Bchl a) RC = reaction center (Bchl a)
Chlorosomes (EM, stained dark) -in green sulfur bacteria -lie along the inside of cytoplasmic membrane -proteinaceous (nonlipid) membrane -each vesicle contains ~ 10, 000 bacteriochlorophyll c molecules in tubes/rods -chlorosomes transmit energy via subantenna of bacteriochlorophyll a.
Mechanism of Photosynthesis Oxygenic Photosynthesis • Photosystems I & II • Noncyclic • Your text, Fig. 17. 19 • Cyanobacteria • Algae (protists) • Plants
Cyanobacteria (phylum contains cyanobacteria and prochlorophytes) • Synechococcus, Oscillatoria, Nostoc, Anabaena • photosynthetic mebranes are multilayered lamellae • formerly called “blue-green algae” but now known to be prokaryotic and possess peptidoglycan • chlorophyll a only • accessory pigments are carotenoids and phycobilin proteins • Photosystem I and II are present (oxygenic photosynthesis) • Autotrophs • Gas vesicles frequent • Some are filamentous, N 2 fixing (heterocysts)
Lake Mendota up close: eutrophic (nutrient-rich) lake algal blooms July through September (ag runoff)
Electron donor: H 2 O
Halobacterium-type • Use light-driven proton pump consisting of patches of the pigment bacteriorhodopsin in cytoplasmic membrane • bacteriorhodopsin resembles rhodopsin, the visual pigment • Absorbs light near 570 nm (green region of spectrum) • Extreme halophile (2 -4 M Na. Cl = 12 -23%): balances Na+ outside with K+ inside to maintain osmotic equilibrium • Heterotrophs (use amino acids and organic acids for growth) • Most are obligate aerobes; some can do anaerobic respiration or fermentation
Solar Salt Evaporation Ponds (salterns) in CA Red coloration due to carotenoids of halobacteria
Colonies of halobacteria isolated from Portsmouth salt piles. Plates contain 25 % Na. Cl !
Halobacteria • Domain Archaea Oops, wrong, outdated hypothesis • Not autotrophs - grow as chemoheterotrophs but can function as phototrophs • Bacteriorhodopsin, proteorhodopsin = cytoplasmic membrane-associated photopigment similar to rhodopsin of mammalian eye. • Bacteriorhodopsin is a light driven ion (proton) pump. . . Homologous protein in Halobacteria is called halorhodopsin; a chloride pump
Light at 570 nm excites the retinal chromophore of bacteriorhodopsin, converting it from its normal all-trans conformation to a cis form. Conversion instigates the movement of a proton across the membrane. Proton loss returns retinal to its all-trans form. Correct; see next slide Chloride ions flow across membrane in reverse direction for halorhodopsin Light + H+ = cis Loss of H+ = trans
Arrangement of bacteriorhodopsin in the cytoplasmic membrane: Purple structures are proteins (opsin) that hold the chromophore (retinal)
Current model for how bacteriorhodopsin and halorhodopsin work… Biochemical studies show that rather than transporting H+ out, bacteriorhodopsin (BR) may actually transport OH- in and halorhodopsin (HR) may transport in a Cl- (from all that Na. Cl in its environment) Bacteriorhodopsin in the cell membrane. CP = cytoplasm, EC = extracellular space. Arrows indicate direction of ion transfer. Bacteriorhodopsin and its retinal chromophore. Yellow arrow indicates direction of ion transfer.
Autotrophy General Aspects • Heterotrophs: organisms requiring organic compounds as a carbon source • Autotrophs: organism capable of biosynthesizing all cellular material from CO 2; CO 2 as a sole carbon source
Autotrophy Types of Autotrophic Pathways 1. Calvin Cycle Fig. 17. 21 & 17. 22 2. Acetyl-Co. A Pathway Fig. 17. 41 3. Reverse TCA Cycle Fig. 17. 24 a 4. Hydroxypropionate Pathway Fig. 17. 24 b
Calvin-Benson Cycle • Fig. 17. 21 & 17. 22 Key enzymes: A. Ribulose biphosphate carboxylase (Ru. Bis. Co) • carboxyosomes : Inclusion bodies B. Phosphoribulokinase
Calvin-Benson Cycle Cyanobacteria Key enzymes: ribulose biphosphate carboxylase (Ru. Bis. Co) = first enzyme, phosphoribulokinase = final enzyme in cycle
Requires ATP and reducing power
Reverse TCA Cycle some methanogens Green Sulfur bacteria (Chlorobium)
Hydroxypropionate Pathway Green Non-Sulfur Bacteria (Chloroflexus)
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