The oxidoreductase activity of Rnf balances redox cofactors during fermentation of glucose to propionate in Prevotella.

ABSTRACT: Propionate is a microbial metabolite formed in the gastrointestinal tract, and it affects host physiology as a source of energy and signaling molecule. Despite the importance of propionate, the biochemical pathways responsible for its formation are not clear in all microbes. For the succinate pathway used during fermentation, a key enzyme appears to be missing-one that oxidizes ferredoxin and reduces NAD. Here we show that Rnf [ferredoxin-NAD⁺ oxidoreductase (Na⁺-transporting)] is this key enzyme in two abundant bacteria of the rumen (Prevotella brevis and Prevotella ruminicola). We found these bacteria form propionate, succinate, and acetate with the classic succinate pathway. Without ferredoxin:NAD⁺ oxidoreductase, redox cofactors would be unbalanced; it

SUBMITTER: Zhang B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10542786 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature