GLUCOSE DISSIMILATION BY CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI

Abstract

Clostridium tetani strains Mueller and 45e utilize glucose in growth media but not a variety of other hexoses and disaccharides. Glucose utilization occurs after the period of exponential growth and results in increased total growth or the culture. The fermentation of glucose is mediated by a specific and inducible glucokinase. A majority of the enzymes of the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway have been demonstrated in cell-free extracts of glucose-grown C. tetani. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydro-genase was also identified. The possibility of an alternate pathway for triose phosphate metabolism is discussed.