Anaerobic phosphite oxidation - genetic and enzymatic studies

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Diliana Dancheva Simeonova
• Subject Area: Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Term: from 2011 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 193135621

The element phosphorus is vital to all forms of life. Its main redox state in biochemistry is phosphate [+V], although it is known that bacteria are able to oxidize and utilize phosphite [+III] and hypophosphite [+I] as sole P sources. The utilization of phosphite as electron donor in the energy metabolism by the sulfate reducer Desulfotignum phosphitoxidans was discovered in our lab some years ago. This project focuses on: 1) the study of the genes involved in the energy conservation process during anaerobic phosphite oxidation which we have recently discovered; 2) purification and studies of the key enzyme(s) catalyzing this process in order to understand its reaction mechanism. The formation of an energy-rich linkage (ATP) by phosphate oxidation could represent a novel type of phosphorylation which could contribute to our understanding of the early evolution of metabolism.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: USA
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. William W. Metcalf