[Effect of amino acids on the luminescent system induction in Photobacterium belozerskii]

Variations in the intensity of luminescence of Photobacterium belozerskii grown on different media were studied. In the course of growth the luminescence intensity changed by 2 to 4 orders of magnitude, depending on the nutrient medium used. Exogenous myristic aldehyde added to the bacterial suspension at the time of luminescence measurement decreased the intensity to a degree, which was essentially independent from the initial level. The onset of an increase in the luminescence intensity depended on the nutrient medium. An addition of arginine, proline or asparagine to the medium reduced the latent period and simultaneously increased the luminescent intensity by 30, 10 and 5-10 times, respectively. Arginine and proline added to the minimal medium at the time of an increase in the luminescence of P. belozerskii enhanced the rate of biosynthesis of the luminescent system enzymes by 32 and 10 times, respectively. In response to a combined action of these amino acis, the rate of luciferase biosynthesis grew by 630 times. Possible mechanisms and factors responsible for the above changes are discussed.