Open AccessAn Na + ‐independent decarboxylation in a marine bacterium: Ion‐controlled biotransformations with intact cells
Author(s) -
Taylor Barrie F.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1985.tb00876.x
Subject(s) - decarboxylation , bacteria , chemistry , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , stereochemistry , genetics , catalysis
The catabolism of o ‐phthalate by a marine Acinetobacter sp. required Na + ions. In contrast, the decarboxylation of 4,5‐dihydroxyphthalate, an intermediate in phthalate breakdown, occurred independently of Na + ions and with a quantitative accumulation of the product, protocatechuate. In the presence of Na + ions, protocatechuate did not accumulate and was further oxidized. Transport systems of marine bacteria require Na + ions and extracellular enzymes probably account for Na + ‐independent conversions. Na + ‐independent reactions in marine bacteria present a biotechnological opportunity to use intact cells, rather than cell‐free preparations, to effect specific biotransformations.