ON THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF PYOCYANINE

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Abstract
The biosynthesis of the phenazine pigment, pyocyanine, by washed cell preparations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied. Elaboration of the pigment requires Mg, phosphate, and a S source in addition to an amino acid substrate. Isotope experiments indicated that all of the pigment formed during incubation arose from the added amino acid substrate (alanine). When alanine-C14 and glycerol were used as joint substrates, the relative effectiveness of the 2 compounds as precursor of pyocyanine was a function of environmental conditions. Synthesis of pyocyanine under all conditions investigated was accompanied by protein synthesis.