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Selective inhibition of Klebsiella aerogenes growth on pentoses by pentitols

K Izumori, K Yamanaka

    Journal of Bacteriology
    |June 1, 1978
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pentitols selectively inhibit Klebsiella aerogenes M-7 growth on pentoses. This growth inhibition is due to pentitols competitively inhibiting the pentose isomerase reaction within the cell.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • Klebsiella aerogenes M-7 cannot metabolize pentitols.
    • Pentoses serve as carbon sources for bacterial growth.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the mechanism of selective growth inhibition of Klebsiella aerogenes M-7 by pentitols when grown on pentoses.

    Main Methods:

    • Growth experiments using various pentoses and pentitols.
    • Assessing the effect of pentitols on pentose transport.
    • Evaluating the induction of pentose isomerases.

    Main Results:

    • D-Arabitol inhibited growth on D-arabinose but not other pentoses.
    • L-arabitol, ribitol, and xylitol showed specific growth inhibition patterns on different pentoses.
    • Pentitols did not inhibit pentose transport or isomerase induction.

    Conclusions:

    • Selective growth inhibition by pentitols is attributed to competitive inhibition of the pentose isomerase reaction.
    • The specificity of inhibition aligns with competitive inhibition kinetics of pentose isomerases.

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