Diversity of the Formyltetrahydrofolate Synthetase Gene (fhs), a Key Enzyme for Reductive Acetogenesis, in the Bovine Rumen

A clone library of the partial formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase gene (fhs), a key enzyme in reductive acetogenesis, was constructed from the DNA of bovine rumen contents. Diverse sequences were recovered, the majority of which were clustered with the fhs of authentic acetogens. Low similarity values to known fhs were observed in all sequences, suggesting the presence of unknown acetogens.