title: Regulation of aspartokinase in Lactobacillus plantarum.
abstract: As a rational approach to the genetic development of a stable lysine overproducing strain of Lactobacillus plantarum for the fermentation of 'ogi', a Nigerian fermented cereal porridge, regulation of lysine biosynthesis in this species was investigated. Spontaneous lysine overproducing mutants of Lact. plantarum were obtained and their aspartokinase activities compared with those of wild-type strains under different conditions. Results showed that aspartokinase activity of Lact. plantarum cell extracts was not inhibited by either lysine, threonine, methionine or combinations of lysine and threonine. Instead, methionine enhanced aspartokinase activity in vitro. Results indicated that lysine biosynthesis in Lact. plantarum could be regulated by lysine via the control of aspartokinase production in a way different to that described for other bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Adebawo
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Barba
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Oguntimein
mesh_terms: D001222:Aspartate Kinase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003470:Culture Media; D005516:Food Microbiology; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008239:Lysine / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008715:Methionine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013912:Threonine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D013912:Threonine; D008715:Methionine; D001222:Aspartate Kinase; D008239:Lysine