SULFUR METABOLISM IN ESCHERICHIA COLI III

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Abstract
Paper chromatography, radioactive sulfur and the method of competitive utilization of metabolites were employed to determine the metabolic fate of sulfate sulfur. A scanning device for the location of radioactive compounds on chromatograms of acid hydrolysates of E. coli is described. Radioactive methionine and cyst(e)ine are the major end products of radiosulfate metabolism when cells are cultured in media containing radiosulfate as the sole sulfur source. When the media are enriched with non radioactive methionine or homocysteine no radioactive methionine is found, although the amount of radioactive cyst(e)ine synthesized remains unchanged. Cystathionine is without effect upon growth or sulfur uptake. Cyst(e)ine appears to take part in 2 metabolic pathways in these cells while cystathionine is probably not a normal metabolic intermediate.