Anaerobic Degradation of Uric Acid by Gut Bacteria of Termites †

摘要: A study was done of anaerobic degradation uric acid (UA) by representative strains uricolytic bacteria isolated from guts Reticulitermes flavipes termites. Streptococcus strain UAD-1 degraded UA incompletely, secreting a fluorescent compound into the medium, unless formate (or formicogenic compound) present as cosubstrate. Formate functioned reductant, and its oxidation to CO(2) dehydrogenase provided 2H + 2e needed drive uricolysis completion. Uricolysis thus corresponded following equation: 1UA 1formate --> 4CO(2) 1acetate 4NH(3). Urea did not appear be an intermediate in NH(3) formation during UAD-1. activities were inducible growth cells on UA. Bacteroides termitidis UAD-50 follows: 3.5 0.75acetate Exogenous neither required for nor stimulatory UAD-50. Studies catabolism Citrobacter limited, because only small amounts metabolized liquid medium. Uricolytic activity such situ could important carbon, nitrogen, energy economy R. flavipes.