RESPIRATORY PATHWAYS IN THE MYCOPLASMA I

Abstract

Smith , S. L. (Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.), P. J. Van Demark, and J. Fabricant . Respiratory pathways in the Mycoplasma . I. Lactate oxidation by Mycoplasma gallisepticum . J. Bacteriol. 86: 893–897. 1963.—Resting cells of Mycoplasma gallisepticum 293 required the addition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, thiamine pyrophosphate, and flavine mononucleotide for the maximal rate of sodium lactate oxidation. Inhibitor studies, as well as spectrophotometric and chemical assays, indicate that the pathway of electron transport to oxygen during lactate oxidation does not involve heme catalysts, and is mediated by flavin-linked enzyme systems. The presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-specific lactic dehydrogenase, menadione reductase, ferricyanide reductase, and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase activities was detected in cell-free extracts. No cytochrome c reductase or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide peroxidase activity was detected in these extracts.