Vitamin B1 and the synthesis of oxaloacetate by Staphylococcus

Abstract

The dismutation of pyruvate by S. albus and aureus with evolution of CO2 is greatly reduced if the organisms are grown on vit.-deficient media. When vit. B1 deficient and sufficient S. albus and aureus were shaken (Warburg) in presence of pyruvate, the rate of dismutation in vit.-deficient organisms was greatly increased by addition of aneurin, and also for a time by oxaloacetate. Added oxaloacetate was converted to suc-cinate, fumarate and malate, and these products were also found after the addition of pyruvate. Vit. B1 thus catalyses the synthesis of oxaloacetate from pyruvate, and this then acts as a carrier.