Open AccessAxenic incorporation of [U‐ 14 C]palmitic acid into the phenolic glycolipid‐I of Mycobacterium leprae
Author(s) -
Franzblau Scott G.,
Harris Eugene B.,
Hastings Robert C.
Publication year - 1987
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.1574-6968.1987.tb02633.x
Subject(s) - mycobacterium leprae , axenic , glycolipid , biochemistry , palmitic acid , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , mycobacterium , metabolism , biology , bacteria , fatty acid , leprosy , genetics , immunology
Incorporation of [U‐ 14 C]palmitic acid ([ 14 C]PA) into the specific phenolic glycolipid‐I (PGL‐I) of freshly harvested, nude mouse‐derived Mycobacterium leprae was investigated in an axenic modified Dubos medium. Incorporation was approximately linear for 10–14 days at pH 7.2, 33°C. No incorporation of radiolabeled phenol, acetate, tyrosine, phenylalanine, bicarbonate, proprionate or UDP‐glucose was detected. Procedures known to remove residual host tissue did not diminish the rate of [ 14 C]PA incorporation, indicating that bacterial metabolism was being measured. The antileprosy compounds, rifampicin and dapsone, significantly reduced incorporation of the label. The ability to quantitate PGL‐I synthesis in the extracellular bacillus should facilitate a better understanding of the optimum conditions for metabolism in M. leprae .