[Changes in the energy status of synchronous Escherichia coli cultures during aerobic-anaerobic transitions]

The behaviour of energy and growth parameters for a synchronous Escherichia coli culture was studied in the course of aerobic-anaerobic transitions induced by either reversible or constant cessation of aeration at different phases of the cell cycle. The intracellular concentrations of ATP, ADP and AMP were assayed using a technique developed by the authors and based on thin-layer chromatography of adenyl nucleotide dansyl derivatives. Prolonged anaerobiosis led to profound alterations in the energy status which diminished the energy flux in constructional processes and preserved the energy resources for maintenance needs. The response of the energy parameters to a transitory anaerobic shock depended on the phase of synchronous growth and, apparently, on the ratio between the rates of reactions supplying and consuming the energy, which underwent changes in the cell cycle.