QUANTITATIVE STUDIES ON GLYCOLYTIC ENZYMES IN LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM. II. INTRACELLULAR CONCENTRATIONS OF GLYCOLYTIC INTERMEDIATES IN GLUCOSE-METABOLIZING WASHED CELLS

Abstract

Mizushima, Shôji (University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan), and Kakuo Kitahara. Quantitative studies on glycolytic enzymes in Lactobacillus plantarum. II. Intracellular concentrations of glycolytic intermediates in glucose-metabolizing washed cells. J. Bacteriol. 87:1429-1435. 1964.-The intracellular concentrations of glycolytic intermediates in glucose-metabolizing cells could be estimated by using C(14)-glucose of high specific activity. Separation of each intermediate was accomplished by column chromatography with Dowex 1-X8 (formate) ion-exchange resin. If the intermediates were inseparable, one was converted into another substance separable by chromatography. Almost all the glycolytic intermediates were found to be radioactive, and all of the radioactive substances appearing on the chromatograms were limited to glycolytic intermediates or their related substances. The results clearly show the role of the glycolytic system for lactic acid fermentation in the organism. Among the intermediates, fructose-1,6-diphosphate and 3-phosphoglycerate were found to be present in relatively high concentrations. The reason for the high concentrations of these compounds is discussed.