This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Clifton, C. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Clifton, C. E.

OXIDATIVE ASSIMILATION BY BACILLUS MEGATERIUM

Department of Medical Microbiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California

ABSTRACT

CLIFTON, C. E. (Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.). Oxidative assimilation by Bacillus megaterium. J. Bacteriol. 85:1365–1370. 1963.—Washed suspensions of Bacillus megaterium oxidized to CO₂ about 39% of the U-C¹⁴-glucose supplied and incorporated about 37% of the label by the time a marked break in the rate of O₂ consumption was noted. Almost one-half of the label was lost from the cells on acidification of the suspension. The remainder of the C¹⁴ was present in the supernatant fluid, primarily in forms as yet unidentified, but other than carbohydrate. Both the Embden-Meyerhof and hexose monophosphate pathways of oxidation were involved. Endogenous respiration appeared to be inhibited only to a slight extent in the presence of an exogenous substrate. C¹⁴ appeared in all fractions of the cells; the highest percentage of firmly bound C¹⁴ was present in hot 5% trichloroacetic acid-insoluble matter. A decrease in C¹⁴ content of the various fractions was noted during endogenous respiration of cells labeled during growth. Pyruvate and acetate were oxidized very slowly by B. megaterium. The results indicate the complexity of oxidative assimilation and the dynamic state of cellular metabolism.