OXIDATIVE METABOLISM OF LACTATE AND ACETATE BY MICROCOCCUS SODONENSIS

Abstract

Whole cells of M. sodonensis oxidized all intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle except citrate, cis-aconitate, and isocitrate. By employing cell-free extracts to overcome permeability barriers, all intermediates in the cycle can be oxidized. Extracts of cells grown on acetate contained the 2 essential enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle, isocitritase, and malate synthetase. Both cycles operate simultaneously in acetate-grown cells with the pathway through [alpha]-ketoglutarate predominant.