Frontiers in Microbiology (Jul 2019)

H2 Kinetic Isotope Fractionation Superimposed by Equilibrium Isotope Fractionation During Hydrogenase Activity of D. vulgaris Strain Miyazaki

  • Michaela Löffler,
  • Steffen Kümmel,
  • Carsten Vogt,
  • Hans-Hermann Richnow

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.01545
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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We determined 2H stable isotope fractionation at natural abundances associated with hydrogenase activity by whole cells of Desulfovibrio vulgaris strain Miyazaki F expressing a NiFe(Se) hydrogenase. Inhibition of sulfate reduction by molybdate inhibited the overall oxidation of hydrogen but still facilitated an equilibrium isotope exchange reaction with water. The theoretical equilibrium isotope exchange δ2H-values of the chemical exchange reaction were identical to the hydrogenase reaction, as confirmed using three isotopically different waters with δ2H-values of – 62, +461, and + 1533‰. Expected kinetic isotope fractionation of hydrogen oxidation by non-inhibited cells was also superimposed by an equilibrium isotope exchange. The isotope effects were solely catalyzed biotically as hydrogen isotope signatures did not change in control experiments without cells of D. vulgaris Miyazaki.

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