[Enzymes of intermediary metabolism in coryneform bacteria]

Enzymes of the intermediate metabolism were studied in ten strains of Corynebacterium-like organisms belonging to the genera Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium, Corynebacterium and Nocardia. All of these were found to contain enzymes of the glycolytic pathway, and nine strains among ten had dehydrogenases of the pentose phosphate shunt. The activity of enzymes of the citric acid cycle was low: alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase was not found in Arthrobacter, Corynebacterium, Brevibacterium linens and Nocardia minima. Eight strains possessed the activity of the key enzyme of the gamma-aminobutyrate shunt, i.e. gamma-aminobutyrate aminotransferase. The activity of enzymes of the glyoxylate shunt was found in nine strains, and their level was rather high even during growth on glucose. Therefore, it is possible to study the taxonomic structure of this group of microorganisms by analyzing the composition and the level of enzymes involved in the intermediate metabolism. The competence of the Brevibacterium genus is corroborated by the typical species Brevibact. linens, as well as the reality of saprophytic representatives of the Corynebacterium genus, and a special taxonomic position of the group Brevibact. ammoniagenes--Brevibact. stationis.