Formate-forming Fungal Catabolic Pathway to Supply Electrons to Nitrate Respiration

Abstract

Pyruvate was catabolized anaerobically by resting cells of Fusarium oxysporum to form formate and acetate. Addition of nitrate decreased the accumulation of formate in the medium with concomitant formation of nitrite and N2O. The results suggested a unique metabolic pathway that occurs in fungi mediated by pyruvate-formate lyase to supply electrons via formate to fungal denitrification. © 2003 by Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry.