[Energy production in Mycobacterium lepraemurium cultured in vitro]

Cell-free extracts prepared from in vitro cultured Mycobacterium lepraemurium catalysed phosphorylation coupled to the oxidation of NADH and succinate, yielding P/O ratios of 0.52 and 0.34, respectively. No ATP synthesis occurred during oxidation of ascorbate. Oxidative phosphorylation was uncoupled by dinitrophenol and dibromophenol. Oxidation of NADH and coupled phosphorylation was markedly inhibited by rotenone, whereas this inhibitor had no effect on succinate oxidation and associated ATP synthesis. Oxidative phosphorylations and coupled oxidations of NADH and succinate were strongly inhibited by antimycin A and cyanide.