S-methyl thioesters are produced from fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids by brevibacteria: focus on L-leucine catabolic pathway and identification of acyl-CoA intermediates

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2012 Feb;93(4):1673-83. doi: 10.1007/s00253-011-3500-3. Epub 2011 Aug 21.

Abstract

Despite their importance as potent odors that contribute to the aroma of numerous cheeses, S-methyl thioesters formation pathways have not been fully established yet. In a first part of our work, we demonstrated that Brevibacterium antiquum and Brevibacterium aurantiacum could produce S-methyl thioesters using short-chain fatty acids or branched-chain amino acids as precursors. Then, we focused our work on L-leucine catabolism using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses coupled with tracing experiments. For the first time, several acyl-CoAs intermediates of the L-leucine to thioesters conversion pathway were identified. S-methyl thioisovalerate was produced from L-leucine, indicating that this amino acid was initially transaminated. Quite interestingly, data also showed that other S-methyl thioesters, e.g., S-methyl thioacetate or S-methyl thioisobutyrate, were produced from L-leucine. Enzymatic and tracing experiments allowed for postulating catabolic pathways leading to S-methyl thioesters biosynthesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyl Coenzyme A / metabolism*
  • Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / metabolism*
  • Brevibacterium / metabolism*
  • Cheese / microbiology
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism*
  • Leucine / metabolism*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways
  • Sulfur Compounds / metabolism*

Substances

  • Acyl Coenzyme A
  • Amino Acids, Branched-Chain
  • Fatty Acids
  • Sulfur Compounds
  • Leucine