Metabolic adaptation and the regulation of metabolism of a flagellate protozoan

✍ Scribed by Cantor, Marvin H. ;James, Thomas W.

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1965
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 517 KB
• Volume: 65
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0095-9898
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.1030650217

✦ Synopsis

Evidence i s presented indicating metabolic adaptation for the utilization of propionate and butyrate by the flagellate, Polytomella agilis. The existence o f a lag phase prior to exponential growth, and the inability of acetate-grown cells to readily oxidze these substrates support ths concluson.

Two aspects of metabolic regulation are discussed. The inhibitory effect of azide on the growth and on oxidation of propionate and butyrate implicates the importance of ATP availability i n the control mechanism.

Oxidative metabolism is regulated to maintain a constant extent of substrate oxidation regardless of growth conditions. The QOZ is related to the carbon source for growth, and not on the substrate to be oxidized. The rate of substrate utilization by adapted cells is less than that of unadapted cells.