GLUCOSE-UTILIZATION AND LACTATE PRODUCTION BY HELICOBACTER-PYLORI

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.