CARBON DIOXIDE FIXATION AND PHOSPHOENOLPYRUVATE CARBOXYLASE IN FERROBACILLUS FERROOXIDANS

Carbon dioxide fixation was studied in intact cells and cell-free extracts of Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans. The major pathways of fixation were found to be the carboxydismutase system and the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase system. PEP carboxylase activity was shown to be under metabolic regulation, similar to the regulation established in heterotrophic microorganisms.Acetyl-CoA stimulated PEP carboxylase activity, while aspartate was inhibitory. The F. ferrooxidans enzyme appeared to have a neutral or acidic pH optimum, in contrast to the same enzyme isolated from heterotrophs.