Starvation alters the apparent half-saturation constant for methane in thetype II methanotroph Methylcystis strain LR1

When cells of a type II methanotrophic bacterium (Methylocystis strain LR1) were starved of methane, both the K-m(app) and the V-max(app) for methane decreased. The specific affinity (a(s)(o)) remained nearly constant. Theref ore, the decreased K-m(app) in starved cells was probably not an adjustment to better utilize low-methane concentrations.