Fatty acid activation by a lipophilic bacterium.
Cell-free extracts of Nocardia asteroides activated saturated fatty acids from octanoate to octadecanoate, plus docosanoate; maximal activation occurred with dodecanoate. No activation of short-chain fatty acids was observed. The activating enzyme, characterized as an acyl-coenzyme A (Co A) synthetase (acid: Co A ligase [adenosine monophosphate]; EC 6.2.1.3), was localized in the cytoplasm of the cells and had absolute requirements for Co A, adenosine 5'-triphosphate, and Mg(2+). Kinetic data suggested that N. asteroides possessed at least two synthetases: one specific for short-chain fatty acids, and the other specific for medium- and long-chain fatty acids.
D000249:Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000032:analysis; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002474:Cell-Free System; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003065:Coenzyme A / Q000378:metabolism; D003066:Coenzyme A Ligases / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D003470:Culture Media; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000201:enzymology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D006898:Hydroxylamines / Q000032:analysis; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D009615:Nocardia / Q000201:enzymology*; D009616:Nocardia asteroides / Q000201:enzymology; D013696:Temperature
D003470:Culture Media; D005227:Fatty Acids; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids; D006898:Hydroxylamines; D000249:Adenosine Monophosphate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D003066:Coenzyme A Ligases; D008274:Magnesium; D003065:Coenzyme A