JBC, Vol. 252, Issue 4, 1257-1263, Feb, 1977
Novel enzymic machinery for the metabolism of oxalacetate, phosphoenolpyruvate, and pyruvate in Pseudomonas citronellolis
R. O'Brien, D. T. Chuang, B. L. Taylor and M. F. Utter
The metabolic pathways for the interconversion of oxalacetate,
phosphoenolpyruvate, and pyruvate in Pseudomonas citronellolis form an
interlocking system (Scheme 1) that would appear to require complex
regulatory mechanisms to permit a proper flow of metabolites through the
pathways and to prevent futile cycling. Oxalacetate decarboxylase (I in
Scheme 1), P-enolpyruvate synthase (II), P-enolpyruvate carboxylase (III),
and pyruvate kinase (V) are constitutive enzymes in this organism. Pyruvate
carboxylase (VI) is inducible and has its highest activity in cells grown
on glucose or lactate, moderate activity in cells grown on acetate,
citrate, or glutamate, and virtually no activity in aspartate-grown cells.
P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase (IV) was not detected. The presence of these
five enzymes in a single cell has not been previously reported. In Scheme
1, three futile cycles are possible: the simultaneous operation of
Reactions I and VI; of Reactions II and V; or of I, II, and III. An
examination of the regulatory properties of the individual enzymes after
partial purification offers support for the hypothesis of an intricate
regulatory system. Oxalacetate decarboxylase (I) is inhibited by
acetyl-CoA; phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (III) is activated by
acetyl-CoA and ADP and inhibited by aspartate; phosphoenolpyruvate synthase
(II) is inhibited by 5'-AMP and phosphoenolpyruvate; and pyruvate kinase
(V) is activated by 5'-AMP and 2 keto, 3-deoxy,6-phosphogluconate and
inhibited by ATP. The presence of metabolites with reciprocal but
reinforcing functions is noteworthy. As an example, acetyl-CoA both
inhibits the breakdown of oxalacetate and stimulates its formation. Only
pyruvate carboxylase appears to be regulated by the carbon substrates of
the growth medium.