Synthesis of omega-alicyclic fatty acids from cyclic precursors in Bacillus subtilis.
A mutant of Bacillus subtilis synthesizes a variety of omega-alicyclic fatty acids when fed with the respective alicyclic carboxylic acids. These fatty acids are: omega-cyclopropane, omega-cyclobutane, omega-cyclopentane, omega-cyclohexane, and omega-cyclohexene fatty acids. These unusual fatty acids did not lead to an inhibition of growth at 37 degrees C and pH 7. The selective advantage of these fatty acids under extrene conditions was studied in comparison with the acidophilic, thermophilic bacterium B. acidocaldarius, which normally contains a high proportion of omega-cyclohexane fatty acids.
D001407:Bacillus / Q000378:metabolism; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D003503:Cyclobutanes; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D003516:Cycloparaffins; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013696:Temperature
D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D003503:Cyclobutanes; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D003516:Cycloparaffins; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D005227:Fatty Acids