Work

Decoupled respiration in electro-active bacteria

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Studies on electron-transfer pathways in certain bacterial strains have revealed that the degree of coupling of electron transfer to proton translocation along the respiratory chain can be regulated according to metabolic demands. This first line of metabolic response, based on the existence of energy dissipation mechanisms, has not been demonstrated to be a general pattern across the bacterial kingdom, let alone to be operative in electro-active bacteria. In this study, we hypothesized that electro-active cells should respond to over-polarization by also triggering energy decoupling mechanisms to prevent metabolic overloads. Based on electrochemical analyses, we propose that the recently discovered inner-membrane cytochrome CbcBA - used by electro-active Geobacter sulfurreducens bacteria for cellular respiration near the thermodynamic energetic limit - can also act as an energy dissipation gate when the metabolism is demanded, contributing to regulate the energy balance of the cell by decoupling carbon assimilation from electrode respiration. In response to extreme electrode potentials, electroactive Geobacter sulfurreducens uses the inner-membrane cytochrome CbcBA as an energy dissipation gate, regulating the energy balance of the cell by decoupling carbon assimilation from electrode respiration.

Source: Communications Biology

DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-08125-5

Authors: Diego A. Massazza, Juan P. Busalmen, Hernán E. Romeo

Institutions: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, National University of Mar del Plata, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales, Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioremediation

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,190