title: Microbial metabolism of the isoprenoid alkane pristane.
abstract: The "inert" hydrocarbon pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane) can be utilized as the sole source of carbon and energy for growth of a coryneform soil isolate. Identification of the metabolites 4,8,12-trimethyltridecanoic acid and alpha-methylglutaric acid indicates that two pathways of fatty acid metabolism operate in this bacterial strain. The widespread use of pristane as a biological marker appears to be predicated on its structural similarity to phytol and its apparent stability, which may be only a reflection of the inability of microorganisms to carry out its anaerobic destruction.
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D000473:Alkanes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002845:Chromatography; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005977:Glutarates / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005977:Glutarates; D012822:Silicon Dioxide