Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Techniques for the Evolution of Robust Pentose-fermenting Yeast for Bioconversion of Lignocellulose to Ethanol
Published on: October 24, 2016
A novel formaldehyde oxidation pathway in methylotrophic yeasts: methylformate as a possible intermediate
Y Sakai1, A P Murdanoto, L Sembiring
1Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Japan.
Abstract:
A considerable amount of methylformate accumulated in the culture medium of methanol-grown methylotrophic yeasts. Methylformate is considered as an intermediate in a novel formaldehyde oxidation pathway. Through investigations with Pichia methanolica, methylformate formation was found to be catalysed by a new type of alcohol dehydrogenase, which was named methylformate synthase. When cells were grown on a relatively high concentration of methanol or exposed to a high concentration of formaldehyde, formation of methylformate was enhanced and the level of methylformate synthase in the cells increased. How methylformate synthase is involved in formaldehyde oxidation and formaldehyde detoxification is discussed.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Multiple Halogenation of Methyl Ketones: Haloform Reaction
Fates of Pyruvate
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...
Phase II Reactions: Methylation Reactions
The mechanism of methylation unfolds in two stages. The first stage sees a methyltransferase enzyme facilitating the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the substrate, forming S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The second stage involves further metabolism of SAH into homocysteine, which can be recycled...
Microbial Fermentation
Amino Acid Biosynthetic Pathways
Microbes and Methanogenesis

