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Syntrophobacter-Methanospirillum Syntrophic Consortium

Ecological State STABLE
Environment anaerobic environment
ENVO:00002229
Source File Syntrophobacter_Methanospirillum_Syntrophy.yaml

A syntrophic, obligate two-member anaerobic consortium consisting of Syntrophobacter fumaroxidans, which oxidizes propionate to acetate, and Methanospirillum hungatei, a hydrogen and formate-utilizing methanogen. S. fumaroxidans degrades propionate via the methylmalonyl-CoA pathway only in coculture with H2/formate-using archaea, as it uses protons as the electron acceptor with H2 and formate as electron sink products. The removal of H2 and formate by M. hungatei is thermodynamically essential for continued propionate oxidation by S. fumaroxidans. This syntrophic relationship is fundamental to understanding methane production from propionate in anaerobic environments such as digesters, sediments, and wastewater treatment systems, playing a critical role in biogeochemical cycling.

Taxonomy

Taxon Ontology ID Functional Roles Abundance
Syntrophobacter fumaroxidans NCBITaxon:119484
PRIMARY_DEGRADER SYNTROPHIC_PARTNER
N/A
Methanospirillum hungatei NCBITaxon:2203
SYNTROPHIC_PARTNER
N/A

Ecological Interactions

Propionate Oxidation and H2/Formate Production

SYNTROPHY

Source Taxon: Syntrophobacter fumaroxidans

Metabolites: propionate (CHEBI:17272), acetate (CHEBI:30089), dihydrogen (CHEBI:18276), formate (CHEBI:15740)

Biological Processes:

Downstream Effects:
→ Interspecies Electron Transfer and Methanogenesis

Evidence

  • doi:10.1099/00207713-48-4-1383 - SUPPORT (IN_VITRO)
    "It oxidized propionate syntrophically in co-culture with the hydrogen- and formate-utilizing Methanospirillum hungateii, and was able to oxidize propionate and other organic compounds in pure culture with sulfate or fumarate as the electron acceptor"
  • PMID:29611893 - SUPPORT (IN_VITRO)
    "Formate dehydrogenase Fdh1 and hydrogenase Hox were the main confurcating enzymes used for energy conservation"

Interspecies Electron Transfer and Methanogenesis

SYNTROPHY

Source Taxon: Methanospirillum hungatei

Metabolites: dihydrogen (CHEBI:18276), formate (CHEBI:15740), methane (CHEBI:16183)

Biological Processes:

Evidence

  • doi:10.1099/00207713-48-4-1383 - SUPPORT (IN_VITRO)
    "It oxidized propionate syntrophically in co-culture with the hydrogen- and formate-utilizing Methanospirillum hungateii, and was able to oxidize propionate and other organic compounds in pure culture with sulfate or fumarate as the electron acceptor"
  • PMID:29611893 - SUPPORT (IN_VITRO)
    "fumaroxidans mainly used formate for electron release and that different confurcating mechanisms were used in its sulfidogenic metabolism"

Environmental Factors

Factor Value Unit
Anaerobic Conditions Strict anaerobic N/A
Hydrogen and Formate Partial Pressure Must be maintained at low levels N/A
Ecological Relevance Biogeochemical cycling N/A