Autotrophic Assimilation of CO₂ and C₁-Compounds by Pathogenic Bacteria

L. S. Buzolyova^* and G. P. Somov

Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, ul. Sel'skaya 1, Vladivostok, 690028 Russia; fax: (4232) 294-303

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received February 5, 1999; Revision received April 28, 1999

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We demonstrate for the first time that the pathogenic bacteria Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Listeria monocytogenes (pathogens of saprozoonoses) are capable of chemolithoautotrophic assimilation of CO₂. Low temperature is favorable for better absorption of CO₂ by these bacteria; this is supported by increased enzymatic activity of carbonic anhydrase acting as the supplier of the substrate to the site of carboxylation. Data of radioisotopic methods indicate that assimilated labeled carbon of CO₂ is incorporated into all major cell biopolymers. The bacteria can utilize not only CO₂, but also other C₁-compounds for biosynthesis.

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KEY WORDS: saprozoonoses, autotrophy, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Listeria monocytogenes, carbonic anhydrase, C₁-compounds

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