Nicotinic acid transport in Escherichia coli

The uptake of nicotinic acid by Escherichia coli is dependent on the presence of the enzyme nicotinic acid phosphoribosyl transferase and a source of energy. Glucose concentrations between 0.1 and 0.5%, a temperature of 46 degrees C and an external concentration of 2.5 X 10(-5) were optimal conditions for nicotinic acid uptake. Saturation kinetics occur with a Km of 1.75 microM and a Vmax of 0.116 nmoles/min/mg dry weight. The intracellular molarity of the accumulated pyridine compounds is 44-fold that of the initial concentration. Inhibitors of respiration and anaerobiosis do not significantly inhibit uptake rate. However, an inhibitor of glycolysis, uncouplers of ATP production and sodium arsenate reduce vitamin transport. A mutant defective in ATPase does not accumulate exogenously supplied nicotinic acid when lactate is used as an energy source, although L-proline, the transport of which is independent of ATP production, is accumulated.