The transport and incorporation of D-glucose into the human pathogen H
elicobacter pylori was investigated employing radioactive tracer analy
sis and H-1 and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The bact
erium was found to utilize D-glucose contrary to the accepted view tha
t it cannot catabolize carbohydrates. Under the experimental condition
s employed, the rate of transport of [C-14]glucose was 3.24 mmol min(-
1) (g protein)(-1), and the rate of incorporation into the cellular ma
ss was 1.06 mu mol h(-1) (g protein)(-1). The utilization of [C-13]glu
cose showed biphasic characteristics with a slower initial period foll
owed by a phase with a rate of utilization at least an order of magnit
ude faster. The apparent rates of decline of glucose levels during bot
h phases varied between strains and depended on the growth conditions
of the bacteria prior to harvesting. The main product of glucose catab
olism was identified as lactate. These findings provide new,perspectiv
es into the physiology of H. pylori and have implications for the acti
ve search to develop appropriate therapies for the micro-organism.