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Propionate metabolism

1968; Elsevier BV; Volume: 123; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0003-9861(68)90102-1

1096-0384

Warner S. Wegener, Henry C. Reeves, Samuel J. Ajl,

Enzyme Structure and Function

Factors regulating adaptation of Escherichia coli to propionate have been examined. Evidence is presented that growth on propionate, in contrast to butyrate and valerate, involves adaptation rather than mutation-selection. The long lag preceding adaptation to this substrate is significantly reduced by the addition of limiting concentrations of C4 acids to the medium. This C4 acid effect is partially met by addition of HCO−3 or vitamin B12 to the medium, and suggests that this organism may possess a deficiency in the functioning of the propionyl-CoA carboxylase pathway. Evidence is presented that growth per se in the presence of propionate results in induction of enzymes which enable the cell to utilize propionate as the sole source of carbon. The metabolic pathway induced under such conditions appears to involve oxidation of propionate to acetate and CO2.