Biomaterial Database

Purine metabolism in Methanococcus vannielii. 1993

E DeMoll, and T Auffenberg

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chandler Medical Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536-0084.

Methanococcus vannielii is capable of degrading purines to the extent that each of these purines may serve as the sole nitrogen source for growth. Results presented here demonstrate that purine degradation by M. vannielii is accomplished by a route similar to that described for clostridia. Various characteristics of the purine-degrading pathway of M. vannielii are described. Additionally, it is shown that M. vannielii does not extensively degrade exogenously supplied guanine if that compound is present at levels near or lower than those required to supply the cellular guanine requirement. Under those conditions, M. vannielii incorporates the intact guanine molecule into its guanine nucleotide pool. The benefits of a purine-degrading pathway to methanogens are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007093	Imidazoles	Compounds containing 1,3-diazole, a five membered aromatic ring containing two nitrogen atoms separated by one of the carbons. Chemically reduced ones include IMIDAZOLINES and IMIDAZOLIDINES. Distinguish from 1,2-diazole (PYRAZOLES).
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008670	Metals	Electropositive chemical elements characterized by ductility, malleability, luster, and conductance of heat and electricity. They can replace the hydrogen of an acid and form bases with hydroxyl radicals. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Metal
D008697	Methane	The simplest saturated hydrocarbon. It is a colorless, flammable gas, slightly soluble in water. It is one of the chief constituents of natural gas and is formed in the decomposition of organic matter. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)
D009711	Nucleotides	The monomeric units from which DNA or RNA polymers are constructed. They consist of a purine or pyrimidine base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group. (From King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Nucleotide
D010100	Oxygen	An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration.	Dioxygen,Oxygen-16,Oxygen 16
D011687	Purines	A series of heterocyclic compounds that are variously substituted in nature and are known also as purine bases. They include ADENINE and GUANINE, constituents of nucleic acids, as well as many alkaloids such as CAFFEINE and THEOPHYLLINE. Uric acid is the metabolic end product of purine metabolism.
D004229	Dithiothreitol	A reagent commonly used in biochemical studies as a protective agent to prevent the oxidation of SH (thiol) groups and for reducing disulphides to dithiols.	Cleland Reagent,Cleland's Reagent,Sputolysin,Clelands Reagent,Reagent, Cleland,Reagent, Cleland's
D005998	Glycine	A non-essential amino acid. It is found primarily in gelatin and silk fibroin and used therapeutically as a nutrient. It is also a fast inhibitory neurotransmitter.	Aminoacetic Acid,Glycine, Monopotassium Salt,Glycine Carbonate (1:1), Monosodium Salt,Glycine Carbonate (2:1), Monolithium Salt,Glycine Carbonate (2:1), Monopotassium Salt,Glycine Carbonate (2:1), Monosodium Salt,Glycine Hydrochloride,Glycine Hydrochloride (2:1),Glycine Phosphate,Glycine Phosphate (1:1),Glycine Sulfate (3:1),Glycine, Calcium Salt,Glycine, Calcium Salt (2:1),Glycine, Cobalt Salt,Glycine, Copper Salt,Glycine, Monoammonium Salt,Glycine, Monosodium Salt,Glycine, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate,Acid, Aminoacetic,Calcium Salt Glycine,Cobalt Salt Glycine,Copper Salt Glycine,Hydrochloride, Glycine,Monoammonium Salt Glycine,Monopotassium Salt Glycine,Monosodium Salt Glycine,Phosphate, Glycine,Salt Glycine, Monoammonium,Salt Glycine, Monopotassium,Salt Glycine, Monosodium
D006863	Hydrogen-Ion Concentration	The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH	pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations