ACETOGENIC AUTOTROPHY AND METABOLISM OF NICKEL

镍是一种对哺乳动物健康很重要的生物活性微量金属， 因为有许多专性厌氧细菌， 肠道微环境 本研究的中心是进一步解决（i） 镍在产乙酸细菌中的生物化学/生物学性质，以及（ii） 这一生物群体的自养代谢。 具体而言是 镍酶碳的生理生化功能 一氧化脱氢酶将进一步解决和产乙酸氢化酶 将被净化和鉴定。 调节和细胞内 将研究自养酶的定位，以获得 深入了解他们的生理角色 抗关键抗体（兔） 催化剂可用作特异性探针以帮助这种阐明。 14C 将进行示踪剂和产物谱分析以研究全细胞 自养与异养生长的碳流和能量学。 此外，对最近发现的镍蛋白的研究将是 以确定其潜在的生理功能。 定义 为培养产乙酸细菌而开发的基本培养基将 促进产乙酸镍迁移和痕量金属的研究 要求. 由于产乙酸菌和它们的大多数酶都是极其 对氧化敏感，所有培养、纯化和分析 手术将在严格的厌氧条件下进行。

Nickel is a biologically active trace metal important to mammalian health, as are numerous obligately anaerobic bacteria which inhabit the microintestinal environment. This study centers on further resolving (i) the biochemical/biological nature of nickel in acetogenic bacteria and (ii) the autotrophic metabolism of this biological group. Specifically, the biochemistry and physiological function of the nickel enzyme carbon monoxide dehydrogenase will be further resolved and acetogenic hydrogenase will be purified and characterized. The regulation and intracellular localization of autotrophic enzymes will be studied in effort to gain insights into their physiological roles. Antibodies (rabbit) against key catalysts may be used as specific probes to aid in this elucidation. 14C tracer and product profile analyses will be conducted to study whole cell carbon flow and energetics of autotrophic vs. heterotrophic growth. Additionally, studies on recently discovered nickel proteins will be initiated to ascertain their potential physiological functions. Defined minimal media developed for the cultivation of acetogenic bacteria will facilitate studies on acetogenic nickel transport and trace metal requirements. Since acetogens and most of their enzymes are extremely sensitive to oxidation, all cultivation, purification, and analytical procedures will be conducted under strict anaerobiosis.