Title: Formation of Methane from Serine by Cell-free Extracts of Methanobacillus omelianskii
Abstract: SUMMARY Extracts of Methanobacillus omelianskii catalyze the C1 transfer of carbon 3 of L-serine via N5, Nn-methylenetetrahydrofolate, and Nb-methyltetrahydrofolate to give methane. The methane- forming enzyme only functions in the presence of adenosine triphosphate, and although the role of adenosine triphosphate in this reaction is not understood, this cofactor has been shown to play an important part in the regulation of Cr transfer in this organism. The position of methylcobalamin in methane forma- tion is discussed. &lcnowledgment-We thank Mr. Norman Ryckman and Mr. Jack Althaus for assistance. 1. 2. 3. 4. 9. 10. 11. 12. SCHIRCH, L. G., AND MASON, M., J. Biol. Chem., 237, 2578 (1962). 13. SCHIRCH, L. G., AND MASON, M., J. Biol. Chem., 238, 1032 (1963). 14. BRILL, W. J., WOLIN, E. A., AND SOLFE, R. S., Sciewe, 144, 297 (1964). 15. WRIGHT, B. E., J. Biol. Chem., 219, 873 (1956). 16. KATZEN,