7-methylpterin derivatives in extracts of methanogens characterized by a relatively low methanopterin content
Gorris, L.G.; van der Drift, C.; Vogels, G.D.
Biofactors 1(1): 105-109
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0951-6433 PMID: 3255348 Document Number: 307444
Cofactor extracts of five hydrogenotrophic methanogenic bacteria which contain relatively low amounts of methanopterin were screened for the presence of 7-methylpterin derivatives. Extracts of Methanospirillum hungatei, Methanobrevibacter smithii and Methanoplanus endosymbiosus were found to contain 7-methylpterin and methanopterin. These compounds were absent in extracts of Methanogenium thermophilicum and Methanogenium tatii. An unidentified methanopterin-like compound was detected in extracts of these two species and of Msp. hungatei, while a 7-methylpterin-like compound was found in extracts of Mp. endosymbiosus. A possible physiological role of the latter two compounds is discussed.