Formate and its role in hydrogen production in Escherichia coli.

The production of dihydrogen by Escherichia coli and other members of the Enterobacteriaceae is one of the classic features of mixed-acid fermentation. Synthesis of the multicomponent, membrane-associated FHL (formate hydrogenlyase) enzyme complex, which disproportionates formate into CO(2) and H(2), has an absolute requirement for formate. Formate, therefore, represents a signature molecule in the fermenting E. coli cell and factors that determine formate metabolism control FHL synthesis and consequently dihydrogen evolution.