title: Microcalorimetric determination of the kinetics of substrate utilisation by non-growing suspensions of Neisseria sicca.
abstract: The metabolism of various substrates by non-growing suspensions of Neisseria sicca was investigated by a flow-microcalorimetric technique. Substrate utilisation showed Michaelis kinetics allowing determination of saturation constants (Km) and maximum specific rates of substrate utilisation (Vmax). Pyruvate, lactate, a number of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, and amino acids (aspartate, glutamate and proline) were rapidly metabolised [Vmax 5-35 mumol (g dry wt cells)-1 min-1]; Km values were between 4 and 20 microM. Glucose, glycerol, acetate and the other amino acids investigated gave only a slight or no increase in power. The pattern of substrate utilisation is discussed in relation to the role of carbonic anhydrase in N. sicca.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, King's College, University of London, Kensington, Great Britain.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Nafi
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Beezer
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Butler
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000378:metabolism; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D002151:Calorimetry; D002952:Citric Acid Cycle; D003470:Culture Media; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005990:Glycerol / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D007773:Lactates / Q000378:metabolism; D009343:Neisseria / Q000378:metabolism*; D011773:Pyruvates / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000596:Amino Acids; D003470:Culture Media; D007773:Lactates; D011773:Pyruvates; D005947:Glucose; D005990:Glycerol