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Metabolic Reactions among Organic Sulfur CompoundsSulfur is central to the metabolisms of many organisms that inhabit extreme environments. Numerous authors have addressed the energy available from a variety of inorganic sulfur redox pairs. Less attention has been paid, however, to the energy required or gained from metabolic reactions among organic sulfur compounds. Work in this area has focused on the oxidation of alkyl sulfide or disulfide to thiol and formaldehyde, e.g. (CH3)2S + H2O yields CH3SH + HCHO + H2, eventually resulting in the formation of CO2 and SO4(-2). It is also found that reactions among thiols and disulfides may help control redox disequilibria between the cytoplasm and the periplasm. Building on our earlier efforts for thiols, we have compiled and estimated thermodynamic properties for alkyl sulfides. We are investigating metabolic reactions among various sulfur compounds in a variety of extreme environments, ranging from sea floor hydrothermal systems to organic-rich sludge. Using thermodynamic data and the revised HKF equation of state, along with constraints imposed by the geochemical environments sulfur-metabolizing organisms inhabit, we are able to calculate the amount of energy available to these organisms.
Document ID
20050158738
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Schulte, M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Rogers, K.
(Washington Univ. Saint Louis, MO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2005
Subject Category
Inorganic, Organic And Physical Chemistry
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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