# NEW MICROBIAL VITAMIN-COENZYME RELATIONSHIPS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN · 1990 · $147,520

## Abstract

The purpose of the proposed research is to elucidate tho biochemistry,
physiology, and structure of new coenzymes and vitamins that have been
discovered in methanogenic bacteria. In the history of biochemistry,
microbes have played a pivotal role in the assay of vitamins as well as
in the elucidation of the biochemical function of vitamins and coenzymes.
To completely understand cell chemistry is important, for biochemical
deficiences produce a diseased state. So far the structures of 6 new
coenzymes of methanogens have been documented. It is our goal to define
the biochemistry of carbon dioxide reduction to methane, a process which
requires the participation of these coenzyme. The major specific aims for
this applications are; (i) to study the activation and reduction of
carbon dioxide that leads to the formation of a formyl group on the
coenzyme, methanofuran, a new method of carbon dioxide fixation; (ii) to
study the reduction of a methylene group attached to the coenzyme,
tetrahydromethanopterin, and define the products of the reaction; (iii)
to define the electron carriers that are involved in these enzymatic
reductive reactions; (iv) to study the reductive regeneration of the
mercapto form of each of two coenzymes (HS-CoM and 7-
mercaptoheptanoylthreonine phosphate) from their heterodisulfide, which
is the oxidized product of the terminal methanogenic reaction; (v) to
isolate and determine the structure of a vitamin required for the growth
of Methanomicrobium mobile.

We cannot predict whether these coenzymes will be of chemotherapeutic
value in human disease, or whether they will contribute only in a general
understanding of biochemistry. The discovery of the archaebacteria is
only about a decade old, and since these organisms differ in many ways
from typical bacterial, it is important to fully document their
biochemistry and identify potential uses to benefit man.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3125151
- **Project number:** 5R01AI012277-17
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Y8CWNJRCNN91
- **Principal Investigator:** RALPH S WOLFE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $147,520
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1974-09-01 → 1994-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3125151

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3125151, NEW MICROBIAL VITAMIN-COENZYME RELATIONSHIPS (5R01AI012277-17). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3125151. Licensed CC0.

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