ON THE MECHANISM OF CARBON DIOXIDE REPLACEMENT IN HETEROTROPHIC METABOLISM

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Abstract
Several compounds were found that in both Escherichia coli and Aerobacter aerogenes substitute for CO2 to give not only normal but, in many instances, enhanced growth. These compounds include the members of the Krebs cycle or their metabolic precursors. The evidence points to an orderly manner in which the substitution of the various compounds for CO2 takes place. The results show that the compounds replacing CO2 must arise from 1 or 2 fixation reactions involving a C3 and C1 addition of a C4 and C1 addition in which the C1 compound is CO2. The C4 or the C5 compounds thus formed are essential for the growth of heterotrophic bacteria. In the absence of the gas, the C4 or C5 compound must be supplied to the cells before growth occurs. The essential C4 and C5 compounds appear to be oxalacetic and alpha-ketoglutaric acids, respectively.

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