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Carbon isotopic fractionation in heterotrophic microbial metabolismDifferences in the natural-abundance carbon stable isotopic compositions between products from aerobic cultures of Escherichia coli K-12 were measured. Respired CO2 was 3.4 percent depleted in C-13 relative to the glucose used as the carbon source, whereas the acetate was 12.3 percent enriched in C-13. The acetate C-13 enrichment was solely in the carboxyl group. Even though the total cellular carbon was only 0.6 percent depleted in C-13, intracellular components exhibited a significant isotopic heterogeneity. The protein and lipid fractions were -1.1 and -2.7 percent, respectively. Aspartic and glutamic acids were -1.6 and +2.7 percent, respectively, yet citrate was isotopically identical to the glucose. Probable sites of carbon isotopic fractionation include the enzyme, phosphotransacetylase, and the Krebs cycle.
Document ID
19860055931
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Blair, N.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Leu, A.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Munoz, E.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Olsen, J.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Kwong, E.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Des Marais, D.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Volume: 50
ISSN: 0099-2240
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
86A40669
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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