METABOLISM OF MEVALONIC ACID BY LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM.

Durr, I. F. (American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon), and A. N. Shwayri. Metabolism of mevalonic acid by Lactobacillus plantarum. J. Bacteriol. 88:361-366. 1964.-Lactobacillus plantarum strain 8014-H(2), unlike other lactobacilli studied, does not require mevalonic acid for growth, but growing and resting cells utilize it only for the synthesis of nonsaponifiable lipids. Upon the incubation of washed cells with mevalolactone-2-C(14), the label appeared in the lipids but not in CO(2). On the other hand, when mevalolactone-1-C(14) was used, the label appeared in CO(2) but not in lipids. For every mole of CO(2) liberated, 1 mole of radioactive carbon was introduced in the lipids, suggesting that terpenic polymers were synthesized. Amino acids did not stimulate the utilization of mevalonic acid. Starved cells could not synthesize nonsaponifiable lipids from mevalonic acid unless glucose was supplied. Sodium fluoride (0.14 m), 2,4-dinitrophenol (0.003 m), p-hydroxymercuribenzoate (0.0013 m), potassium phosphate (0.1 m), and ammonium formate (0.04 m) were potent inhibitors. Cells metabolized only one isomer of dl-mevalonic, and utilized the salt form at least twice as efficiently as the lactone. Optimal synthesis of lipids from mevalonic acid occurred aerobically, at pH 5 and 30 C.