Vitamin B6 biosynthesis and glycolate reductase in Flavobacterium sp. 238-7

An enzyme which reduces glycolate to glycolaldehyde as the first step of the biosynthesis of vitamin B6 was studied using the particulate fraction of Flavobacterium sp. 238-7, a vitamin B6 producer. The enzyme catalyzes the reduction of glycolate in the presence of NADPH, but not the oxidation of glycolaldehyde, and is designated as glycolate reductase. There is a positive correlation between the activity of the enzyme and vitamin B6 biosynthesis. The activity and the formation of the enzyme were not affected by vitamin B6. This enzyme probably plays a role in the extraordinary accumulation of vitamin B6 by the bacterium.