GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY - T.P. Pyrog - 2004

12. METABOLIC ACTIVITY OF AEROBIC HETEROTROPHS

12.2. GROWTH ON REDUCED C1 COMPOUNDS (METHANE, METHANOL)

12.2.3. Facultative methylotrophs

To grow on methanol, facultatively methylotrophic Bacteria utilize either the Serine or the ribulose monophosphate pathway for C1 compound assimilation. Yeasts are capable of utilizing methanol, but not methane. In certain yeasts (Candida boidinii, Hansenula polymorpha), the incorporation of methanol into cellular material also proceeds via formaldehyde, yet not via ribulose-5-phosphate (as observed in bacteria operating the ribulose monophosphate pathway), but rather via xylulose-5-phosphate. Within this xylulose monophosphate cycle of formaldehyde fixation, formaldehyde reacts with xylulose-6-phosphate in the presence of a specific transketolase to yield glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone. Both products (with dihydroxyacetone undergoing prior phosphorylation) then enter biosynthetic pathways.



Last update: 12/08/2026

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