Hydrogen-oxidizing hydrogenases 1 and 2 of Escherichia coli regulate the onset of hydrogen evolution and ATPase activity, respectively, during glucose fermentation at alkaline pH.

Simultaneous measurement of redox potential (Eh ) and determination of H2 evolution kinetics using a pair of titanium silicate and platinum redox electrodes in fermenting cultures of Escherichia coli wild type and different mutants lacking hydrogenases 1 (Hyd-1) or 2 (Hyd-2) revealed that Hyd-1 controls the onset of H2 evolution at slightly alkaline pH (pH 7.5) and under oxidizing Eh . In addition, Hyd-2 influences the N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-inhibited ATPase activity in fermenting cells and thus regulates the proton F0 F1 -ATPase at the alkaline pH but under reducing Eh .