The relation between the assimilation of methanol and glycerol in yeasts

Fifteen yeast strains of the genera Candida, Lodderomyces, Endomycopsis, Saccharomyces, Hansenula, Pichia and Torulopsis were investigated with respect to their ability to grow on methanol, glycerol and glucose as sole carbon and energy source. Eight of them can grow on both methanol and glycerol.Methanol is assimilated via triosephosphate (dihydroxyacetone) pathway. The dihydroxyacetone kinase is a key enzyme in methanol metabolism.The assimilation of glycerol can take place in bacteria via a phosphorylative or/and oxidative pathways. In general, the phosphorylative pathway is found in eucaryotes. In the present paper it is shown that in yeasts, which can utilize methanol and glycerol, too, glycerol is assimilated via an oxidative pathway, Dihydroxyacetone is a central intermediate in the assimilation of methanol as well as glycerol. It is metabolized by means of the dihydroxyacetone kinase.The enzyme formed during growth of Candida methylica on methanol does not differ from that of Candida valida H 122 after growing on glycerol as far as the regulatory properties are concerned.