Synthesis of Certain Assimilatory and Dissimilatory Enzymes during Bacterial Adaptation to Growth on Trimethylamine

Abstract

During the adaptation of Pseudomonas aminovorans from growth on succinate to growth on trimethylamine, the following enzymes were synthesized in the lag phase before exponential growth on trimethylamine began: trimethylamine and dimethylamine monooxygenases [EC 1.14.13.8 and EC 1.14.99.-], trimethylamine-N-oxide aldolase [EC 4.1.2-] (demethylase), glutathione- and NAD-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase [ EC 1.2.1.1], dye-linked formaldehyde dehydrogenase, hydroxypyruvate reductase [EC 1.1.1.81] and N-methylglutamate dehydrogenase [EC 1.5.99.5]. Differential plots suggested that the rate of enzyme synthesis in the lag phase exceeded the rate of synthesis during exponential growth. The enzymes discussed are probably essential for growth on trimethylamine, while the NADPH-dependent N-methylalanine dehydrogenase [EC 1.5.1.-] is not involved.