What are ladderane lipids?

Abstract. Ladderane lipids are unique to anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria and are enriched in the membrane of the anammoxosome, an organelle thought to compartmentalize the anammox process, which involves the toxic intermediate hydrazine (N2H4).

What is the anammox reaction and where does it occur?

Anammox (anaerobic ammonium oxidation), which is a reaction that oxidizes ammonium to dinitrogen gas using nitrite as the electron acceptor under anoxic conditions, was an important discovery in the nitrogen cycle.

Why do anammox bacteria grow so slow?

Anammox—Growth Physiology, Cell Biology, and Metabolism N bond in hydrazine is catalyzed by hydrazine synthase, a fairly slow enzyme and its low activity possibly explaining the slow growth rates and long doubling times of the organisms.

How does anammox work?

Anammox (Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation) Bacteria combine ammonia and nitrite directly into dinitrogen gas. This allows a new and very efficient treatment possibility of wastewater. If the process works properly it is a great possibility to treat municipal wastewater very efficient.

How are ladderanes found in the anammoxosome?

Naturally occurring ladderanes have been identified as major components of the anammoxosome membrane of the anammox bacteria Planctomycetes. Synthetic approaches have yielded ladderanes of varying lengths. A classification system has been developed to describe ladderanes based on the number of consecutive rings.

Where are ladderanes found in the human body?

Ladderanes were first identified in a rare group of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing ( anammox) bacteria belonging to the phylum Planctomycetes. These bacteria sequester the catabolic anammox reactions to intracellular compartments called anammoxosomes.

How did ladderane get its name in chemistry?

In chemistry, a ladderane is an organic molecule containing two or more fused cyclobutane rings. The name arises from the resemblance of a series of fused cyclobutane rings to a ladder.

How many cyclobutane rings are there in ladderane?

Ladderanes with lengths up to 13 cyclobutane rings have been synthesized by Mehta and coworkers. This process involves the in situ generation of dicarbomethoxycyclobutadiene from its Fe (CO) 3 complex at low temperatures with the addition of ceric (IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN).