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Nicotinamide deamidation by microorganisms in rat stomach
Journal of Bacteriology
|October 1, 1971
Summary
Rat stomach bacteria, including Flavobacterium peregrinum and Escherichia coli, efficiently convert ingested nicotinamide into nicotinic acid. This microbial deamidation process is crucial for producing nicotinic acid, a precursor for essential pyridine nucleotides in mammals.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
Background:
- Nicotinamide deamidation is a key metabolic process.
- Microorganisms in the rat stomach pars preventricularis are implicated in this conversion.
- Nicotinic acid is a precursor to mammalian pyridine nucleotides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To further investigate nicotinamide deamidation in conventional rat stomachs.
- To identify bacterial species responsible for deamidation and quantify their activity.
- To confirm the conversion of ingested nicotinamide to nicotinic acid.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial isolation and identification from rat stomach pars preventricularis.
- Measurement of deamidase activity of identified bacterial species.
- Administration of radiolabeled nicotinamide (Nicotinamide-7-(14)C) to rats and analysis of metabolites.
Main Results:
- Identified bacterial species: Flavobacterium peregrinum, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
- Bacterial deamidase activity decreased in the order listed.
- Ingested Nicotinamide-7-(14)C was rapidly deamidated to nicotinic acid in the rat stomach.
Conclusions:
- Microorganisms in the rat stomach pars preventricularis are confirmed to be responsible for nicotinamide deamidation.
- This microbial action yields nicotinic acid, essential for pyridine nucleotide synthesis in mammals.