Enzymes of the Glyoxylate Cycle inChlorella vulgaris

Abstract

The detection and assay of the enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle in Chlorella are described. The activity of the enzymes in cells grown on acetate is about adequate to account for the rate of growth with acetate as sole carbon source. Isocitratase activity increases markedly when cells are incubated with acetate in darkness; malate synthetase activity also increases but the activity of the other enzymes is unaffected. Isocitratase activity does not increase when glucose is added as well as acetate or the cells are illuminated and supplied with carbon dioxide. When cells are given acetate as sole carbon source there is a lag of 24 hrs. before cell division begins; during this period, isocitratase activity increases greatly.