Sulfate-reducing microorganisms (SRM) or sulfate-reducing prokaryotes (SRP) are a group composed of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and sulfate-reducing archaea (SRA), both of which can perform anaerobic respiration utilizing sulfate (SO2−
4) as terminal electron acceptor, reducing it to hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Therefore, these sulfidogenic microorganisms "breathe" sulfate rather than molecular oxygen (O2), which is the terminal electron acceptor reduced to water (H2O) in aerobic respiration.
Microbial metabolism is the means by which a microbe obtains the energy and nutrients it needs to live and reproduce. Microbes use many different types of metabolic strategies and species can often be differentiated from each other based on metabolic characteristics. The specific metabolic properties of a microbe are the major factors in determining that microbe's ecological niche, and often allow for that microbe to be useful in industrial processes or responsible for biogeochemical cycles.
In enzymology, a sulfite dehydrogenase (EC 1.8.2.1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, a 4-hydroxybenzoyl-CoA reductase (EC 1.3.7.9) is an enzyme found in some bacteria and archaea that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, a 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoate dehydrogenase (ferredoxin) (EC 1.2.7.7) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, an ethylbenzene hydroxylase (EC 1.17.99.2) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, a sulfur oxygenase/reductase (EC 1.13.11.55) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
Adenylyl-sulfate reductase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction of the reduction of adenylyl-sulfate/adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (APS) to sulfite through the use of an electron donor cofactor. The products of the reaction are AMP and sulfite, as well as an oxidized electron donor cofactor.
Adenylyl-sulfate reductase (glutathione) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
Adenylyl-sulfate reductase (thioredoxin) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, a CoB—CoM heterodisulfide reductase (EC 1.8.98.1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, a ferredoxin—nitrate reductase (EC 1.7.7.2) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, a ferredoxin—nitrite reductase (EC 1.7.7.1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
In enzymology, a L-methionine (S)-S-oxide reductase (EC 1.8.4.13) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
Sulfite reductases (EC 1.8.99.1) are enzymes that participate in sulfur metabolism. They catalyze the reduction of sulfite to hydrogen sulfide and water. Electrons for the reaction are provided by a dissociable molecule of either NADPH, bound flavins, or ferredoxins.
Thiosulfate dehydrogenase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction:
Sulfur is metabolized by all organisms, from bacteria and archaea to plants and animals. Sulfur can have an oxidation state from -2 to +6 and is reduced or oxidized by a diverse range of organisms. The element is present in proteins, sulfate esters of polysaccharides, steroids, phenols, and sulfur-containing coenzymes.
Perchlorate reductase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reactions:
Dissimilatory sulfate reduction is a form of anaerobic respiration that uses sulfate as the terminal electron acceptor to produce hydrogen sulfide. This metabolism is found in some types of bacteria and archaea which are often termed sulfate-reducing organisms. The term "dissimilatory" is used when hydrogen sulfide is produced in an anaerobic respiration process. By contrast, the term "assimilatory" would be used in relation to the biosynthesis of organosulfur compounds, even though hydrogen sulfide may be an intermediate.
Dissimilatory sulfite reductase is an enzyme that participates in sulfur metabolism in dissimilatory sulfate reduction.
