Methyltrophic enzyme distribution in Methylosinus trichosporium.

Key enzymes involved in the oxidation and fixation of methane by Methylosinus trichosporium were examined for localization within the bacterial cells. A differential centrifugation scheme following cell disruption was used to provide membrane and soluble fractions for the enzyme assays. All the methylotrophic enzymes examined were found to be soluble with this fractionation scheme. Electron transport involving a cytochrome c2 with absorption peaks at 416, 522, and 550 nm and oxidative phosphorylation were found in the membrane fractions. Mixed soluble and membrane fractions coupled the oxidation of emthanol and formate with cytochrome reduction.