Leucine Metabolism of Streptococcus lactis Var. maltigenes. I. Conversion of Alpha-Ketoisocaproic Acid to Leucine and 3-Methylbutanal

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Abstract
Evidence is presented which indicates that the keto acid analog of leucine will satisfy the leucine requirement of S. lactis and S. lactis var. maltigenes. Resting cells of the 2 organisms synthesized leucine from alpha-keto-isocaproate in the presence of glutamic acid as shown chromatographically. Three-methylbutanal accumulates when the malty variant is incubated with alpha-ketoisocaproic acid, whereas S. lactis cells form little or no aldehyde from the keto acid.