Methacrylate Redox Systems of Anaerobic Bacteria.

This review analyzes current information about the anaerobic type of respiration using a synthetic methacrylate compound as an electron acceptor. Both the methacrylate redox systems themselves and the anaerobic bacteria in whose cells they are found are considered. These complexes consist of flavin-containing reductase and multiheme cytochrome c3 variants. The genes of the components of the methacrylate redox systems of different microorganisms are homologous and are organized into one operon. Methacrylate-reducing activity is determined in the periplasm. The only known bacterial acrylate reductase that reduces the natural compound differs from methacrylate redox systems. The physiological role, origin, and research perspectives for this unique enzyme system are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]