2-Deoxyribose Gene-Enzyme Complex in Salmonella typhimurium I. Isolation and Enzymatic Characterization of 2-Deoxyribose-Negative Mutants

Abstract

Salmonella typhimurium utilizes 2-deoxyribose as a sole C and energy source. Cells grown in the presence of deoxyribose contain increased levels of deoxyribose kinase, thymidine phosphorylase and 2 forms of deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase (DR5P) aldolase. One form od DR5P aldolase was induced by deoxyribose and coordinately regulated with deoxyribose kinase. The 2nd form of DR5P aldolase was induced by deoxyribose-5-phosphate and coordinately regulated with thymidine phosphorylase. Mutants unable to ferment deoxyribose lack either deoxyribose kinase or deoxyribose permease, but none lack DR5P aldolase. Thymine-requiring mutants which grow on low levels of thymine sometimes lack one or both DR5P aldolases.