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¹⁴C Incorporation into the Fatty Acids and Aliphatic Hydrocarbons of Sarcina lutea

^a Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004
Department of Biology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77004

ABSTRACT

An initial investigation into the mechanism of hydrocarbon biosynthesis in Sarcina lutea was performed by measuring the amounts of ¹⁴C incorporated into the hydrocarbons and fatty acids by use of a combination gas chromatograph and high-temperature gas-flow ionization apparatus. Uniformly labeled L-isoleucine-¹⁴C was predominantly incorporated into the anteiso-branched chains. Palmitate-16-¹⁴C gave evidence that a direct correlation may exist between the nonpolar end of the palmitate and the biosynthesis of hydrocarbons and carotenoids. The label from palmitate-1-¹⁴C was incorporated into the various hydrocarbon groups as a compound, derived from the polar end of the palmitate, consisting of more than two carbon atoms. Palmitate-16-¹⁴C and -1-¹⁴C gave no detectable evidence that transformed products were incorporated into other fatty acids. Sodium acetate-2-¹⁴C and uniformly labeled L-leucine-¹⁴C gave evidence of a nonspecific incorporation into both the aliphatic hydrocarbons and fatty acids of Sarcina lutea.

¹ Present address: Division of Biosciences, National Research Council, Ottawa, Canada.

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