[Hydrogenase activity of the thermophilic hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium Pseudomonas thermophila]

The hydrogenase activity of the intact cells of a thermophilic hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium Pseudomonas thermophila K-2 was determined using methylene blue; it was several times higher than the rate of hydrogen uptake in the presence of oxygene and carbon dioxide. The activity of membrane-associated hydrogenase was assayed with the aid of phenazine methosulphate and 2,6-dichlorphenolindophenol as a cascade electron carrier. The enzyme is sufficiently stable in the air. The stability increases in the atmosphere of hydrogen. The membrane-bound enzyme was activated by Mn2+ ions. The pH-optimum of the enzyme activity in 0.1 M Tris-HCI buffer was 8,5-9,0. Natural electron acceptors tested, such as NAD, FMN, riboflavin, and cytochrome c, had no effect on the reaction rate. The enzyme is relatively thermostable: its activity was halved after heating at 78 degrees C for 10 min or at 80 degrees C for 8 min. Energy of activation was calculated. It was 14.5 kcal-mol-1 within the range of 23-40 degrees C and 10.3 kcal-mol-1 within the range of 40-60 degrees C.