Pyridine nucleotide metabolism by extracts derived from Haemophilus parasuis and H. pleuropneumoniae

A variety of biologically important pyridine nucleotides and precursors were examined for their capacities to serve as substrates for the synthesis of NAD by cell fractions derived from Haemophilus parasuis and H. pleuropneumoniae. Of the compounds tested, only NMN and nicotinamide riboside were converted to NAD. These reactions required ATP as co-substrate, and fractions from both organisms could also catalyze the ATP-dependent synthesis of NADP from NAD. In the absence of ATP, and depending on the pyridine compound under study, NAD, NMN, nicotinamide riboside, and also nicotinamide, were detected as products of catabolism. It is concluded that these haemophili possess either three-membered pyridine nucleotide cycles or two-membered cycles with synthetic branches originating with nicotinamide riboside. It is also possible that the pyridine nucleotide cycles of both organisms have nonrecycling branches resulting in the "waste" of usable pyridine compound in the form of nicotinamide.