ATP synthesis associated with the conversion of hexachlorocyclohexane related compounds

Clostridium rectum strain S-17 converts gamma-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) related compounds to chlorobenzenes. The metabolites from gamma-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexene and gamma-1,3,4,5,6-pentachlorocyclohexene are identified as 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and 1,4-dichlorobenzene, respectively. ATP synthesis, converting these chlorinated compounds, is observed in the cell suspension of C.rectum as indicated by luciferase-luciferin reaction and phosphorylation of 32P-labeled phosphate. These observation lead to the conclusion that HCH and related compounds serve as artificial electron acceptors of the Stickland reaction, and therefore, the reductive dechlorination is associated with ATP synthesis.