Phosphorylation of Isocitrate dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli

Addition of acetate to a stationary phase culture of Escherichia coli in glycerol mineral salts medium containing phosphorus-32-labeled orthophosphate results in rapid loss of isocitrate dehydrogenase activity and concomitant incorporation of phosphorus-32 into the enzyme. This is the first example of protein phosphorylation in a bacterium in which the endogenous substrate for the protein kinase has been identified.