Pyruvic Acid Metabolism

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Abstract
With strain 10C1 of S. faecalis, the nutritive requirements for pyruvate oxidation and dismuatation were found to be more specific than those for growth. Cells harvested from synthetic media that support good growth contain pyruvate oxidase in the apoenzyme form, as indicated by the activation of oxidation by cell suspensions and dried cell prepns. Yeast extract contains a substance (or substances), apparently not identical with known accessory factors, required for pyruvate oxidation. Cell suspensions are unable to oxidize pyruvate unless they are grown in the presence of yeast extract, or unless yeast extract is added. The active principle is taken up by the cells during pyruvate oxidation and is retained, thus indicating the possibility of a coenzyme nature. The oxidative deficiency is not general since the deficient cells oxidize glucose rapidly. A synthetic medium has been obtained that supports good growth and highly active pyruvate oxidase apoenzyme production.

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