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Fatty acid dependent hydrogen peroxide production in Lactobacillus
M S Nuñez de Kairuz1, M E Olazabal, G Oliver
1Centro de Referencia para Lactobacillus, CONICET-Fundación Miguel Lillo -FECIC, Tucumán, Argentina.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|April 15, 1988
Summary
Lactobacillus leichmanii produces high hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels when grown with certain fatty acids. This study identifies a novel fatty acyl-CoA-dependent H2O2-generating system in this bacterium.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Lactobacillus leichmanii is a bacterium.
- Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a reactive oxygen species with various biological roles.
- Fatty acids are essential components of cell membranes and metabolic pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in Lactobacillus leichmanii cultures.
- To identify the specific factors inducing H2O2 production.
- To characterize the underlying enzymatic activity responsible for H2O2 generation.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Lactobacillus leichmanii in a complex medium supplemented with decanoic acid.
- Analyzing culture supernatants for hydrogen peroxide concentration.
- Testing the effect of various saturated fatty acids (C4:0 to C16:0) and oleic acid on H2O2 production.
- Assessing cell-free extracts for fatty acyl-CoA-dependent H2O2-generating activity.
Main Results:
- Lactobacillus leichmanii accumulated high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide when supplemented with decanoic acid.
- H2O2 production was induced by saturated fatty acids (C4:0–C16:0) and oleic acid.
- A fatty acyl-CoA-dependent H2O2-generating activity was detected in cell-free extracts.
Conclusions:
- Certain saturated fatty acids and oleic acid induce a hydrogen peroxide-generating system in Lactobacillus leichmanii.
- This system is dependent on fatty acyl-CoA.
- This represents the first demonstration of such an activity in a prokaryotic organism.