Abstract
IT has been shown that cocaine specifically inhibits the synthesis of citrate in yeast1 and in animal tissues2, and that other local anæsthetics possess a similar specificity of action in blocking cellular respiration3. An enzyme, malate synthetase, which catalyses the synthesis of malate from acetate and glyoxylate in a manner analogous to the formation of citrate from acetate and oxaloacetate, has since been discovered4 and has been shown to participate in some micro-organisms in a modified citric acid cycle which has been described as the glyoxylate cycle5.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ryman, B. E., and Walsh, E. O'F., Nature, 172, 679 (1953).
Ryman, B. E., and Walsh, E. O'F., Biochem. J., 58, 111 (1954).
Ryman, B. E., and Walsh, E. O'F., J. Pharmacol., 7, 341 (1955).
Wong, D. T. O., and Ajl, S. J., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 78, 3230 (1956).
Kornberg, H. L., and Krebs, H. A., Nature, 179, 988 (1957).
Weinhause, S., and Millington, R. H., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 69, 3089 (1947).
Hummel, J. P., J. Biol. Chem., 180, 1225 (1949).
Natelson, S., Pincus, J. B., and Lugovoy, J. K., J. Biol. Chem., 175, 745 (1948).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
KALYANPUR, S., WALSH, E. Malic Acid Synthesis in Escherichia coli and its Inhibition by Cocaine. Nature 188, 939–940 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/188939a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/188939a0
- Springer Nature Limited