The effect of EDTA and related chelating agents on the oxidation of methanol by the methylotrophic bacterium, Methylophilus methylotrophus.

The effects of EDTA and related metal-chelating agents on the respiratory system of the methylotrophic bacterium Methylophilus methylotrophus have been investigated. EDTA completely inhibited whole cell methanol oxidase activity and concomitantly decreased the aerobic steady-state reduction level of cytochrome c, but only partially inhibited methanol dehydrogenase activity. Analysis of the inhibition kinetics of EDTA and other chelating agents on methanol oxidase activity indicated that they were effective in the order CDTA greater than EDTA greater than HEDTA greater than EGTA greater than EDDA, and that they inhibited in an uncompetitive manner. Inhibition by EDTA varied as a function of the ambient cell mass in the assay, and could be partly reversed by the addition of divalent cations. EDTA had no effect on the activity of solubilised methanol dehydrogenase. These and other results indicate that EDTA binds a divalent metal ion, probably Mg2+, which is involved in the functional association of methanol dehydrogenase with the respiratory membrane. This concept is discussed in terms of the electron transfer properties and spatial organisation of the terminal respiratory chain of M. methylotrophus.