Generation of Reducing Power in Chemosynthesis III. Energy-Linked Reduction of Pyridine Nucleotides in Thiobacillus novellus

Abstract

Cell-free extracts from Thiobacillus novellus catalyzed an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent reduction of pyridine nucleotides anaerobically, or aerobically when the respiratory chain was inhibited by azide. The exogenous electron donor employed for the reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) was thiosulfate, formate, or mammalian ferrocytochrome c. In the latter case, the oxidation of ferrocytochrome c was observed with the concomitant reduction of the pyridine nucleotide. Values calculated for the molar ratios of ATP utilized-NADP reduction and of cytochrome c oxidized-NADP reduced were 1:1 and 2:1, respectively. The energy-dependent reduction of the pyridine nucleotides was inhibited by Atabrine or amytal and by low concentrations of the uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation such as 2,4-dinitrophenol and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone. Evidence is presented showing that the reduced pyridine nucleotides are essential for providing the reducing power for the energy-dependent reduction of carbon dioxide in T. novellus.