Abstract
Frankia isolate NPI 0136010 was able to use only propionate and acetate as sole carbon sources and was unable to use hexoses, pentoses, disaccharides, and trisaccharides. Cell free extracts were surveyed for key enzymes of intermediary carbon metabolism. Enzymes of the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and glyoxylate shunt were detected while enzymes of the pentose phosphate (PP) and Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathways were absent. “Malic enzyme” was present allowing for the conversion of malate to pyruvate and gluconeogenesis. Radiorespirometric analysis confirmed the operation of the TCA cycle and established the methylmalonyl pathway as the route of propionate metabolism. The uptake of propionate was active and mediated by sulfhydryl groups.
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Stowers, M.D., Kulkarni, R.K. & Steele, D.B. Intermediary carbon metabolism in Frankia . Arch. Microbiol. 143, 319–324 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00412796
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00412796