Syntrophococcus sucromutans is the predominant species capable of O demethylation of methoxylated lignin monoaromatic derivatives in the rumen. The enzymatic characterization of this acetogen indicated that it uses the acetyl coenzyme A (Wood) pathway. Cell extracts possess all the enzymes of the tetrahydrofolate pathway, as well as carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, at levels similar to those of other acetogens using this pathway. However, formate dehydrogenase could not be detected in cell extracts, whether formate or a methoxyaromatic was used as electron acceptor for growth of the cells on cellobiose. Labeled bicarbonate, formate, [1-14C] pyruvate, and chemically synthesized O-[methyl-14C]vanillate were used to further investigate the catabolism of one-carbon (C1) compounds by using washed-cell preparations. The results were consistent with little or no contribution of formate dehydrogenase and pointed out some unique features. Conversion of formate to CO2 was detected, but labeled formate predominantly labeled the methyl group of acetate. Labeled CO2 readily exchanged with the carboxyl group of pyruvate but not with formate, and both labeled CO2 and pyruvate predominantly labeled the carboxyl group of acetate. No CO2 was formed from O demethylation of vanillate, and the acetate produced was position labeled in the methyl group. The fermentation pattern and specific activities of products indicated a complete synthesis of acetate from pyruvate and the methoxyl group of vanillate.
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