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J Bacteriol. 1973 April; 114(1): 249-256
Copyright © 1973 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Fatty Acid Activation by a Lipophilic Bacterium

^a Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506

ABSTRACT

Cell-free extracts of Nocardia asteroides activated saturated fatty acids from octanoate to octadecanoate, plus docosanoate; maximal activation occurred with dodecanoate. No activation of short-chain fatty acids was observed. The activating enzyme, characterized as an acyl-coenzyme A (Co A) synthetase (acid: Co A ligase [adenosine monophosphate]; EC 6.2.1.3), was localized in the cytoplasm of the cells and had absolute requirements for Co A, adenosine 5'-triphosphate, and Mg²⁺. Kinetic data suggested that N. asteroides possessed at least two synthetases: one specific for short-chain fatty acids, and the other specific for medium- and long-chain fatty acids.

¹ Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla. 32306.