RESPONSE OF RHODOCOCCUS-MINIMUS CULTURES TO CHANGES IN THE CONCENTRATION OF THE CARBON SOURCE - MACROMOLECULAR-COMPOSITION AND ENERGY-METABOLISM

In the growth dynamics of slow- and fast-growing variants of Rhodococc us minimus on glucose, changes in the content of DNA, RNA, and protein were studied, and the level of energy exchange was determined. The le vel of DNA was found to be invariable in the process of culture growth . The content of RNA and the rate of protein synthesis were shown to g radually increase and reach maximal values only a few (4-6) hours afte r the beginning of cultivation. The increase in the activity of the re spiratory chain and ATP uptake during the same period were indicative of higher energy consumption in the processes of biosynthesis. The abi lity of the culture to transfer metabolic fluxes to processes of const ructive and energy metabolism, depending on the concentration of avail able substrate, indicated the operation of a regulatory system providi ng for high viability of this organism under different conditions.