ACETATE METABOLISM IN NATRONOCOCCUS-OCCULTUS

The formation of acetyl-COA synthetase, acetate kinase, and isocitrate lyase was demonstrated in Natronococcus occultus 3A in growth on a me dium with acetate. The synthesis of the first two enzymes is inducible . Isocitrate lyase synthesis is stimulated by low concentrations of ac etate in the growth medium and is inhibited by high ones. It was shown by paper chromatography with a radioactive label that after penetrati on into N. occultus 3A cells, Na[1-C-14]acetate is capable of being in corporated into the tricarboxylic acid cycle or the glyoxylate cycle w ithout the formation of a free pool. Among the labeled products of met abolism after 1 min of contact of the cells with Na[1-C-14]-acetate, 2 -oxoglutarate, succinate, fumarate, glutamate, and proline were found.