THE RELATION OF ENZYMATIC ADAPTATION TO THE METABOLISM OF ENDOGENOUS AND EXOGENOUS SUBSTRATES

The source of energy for enzymatic adaptation has been investigated. Aerobically, it is found that the endogenous carbohydrate reserves may be used as such a source. In cells depleted of their reserves, the adaptive substrate itself can be oxidized even while it cannot be fermented, and so can serve as a source of energy for the adaptation to a fermentative mode of utilization. Anaerobically, adaptation may occur at the expense of stored energy-rich compounds, while the reserves and the adaptive substrate are now useless as fuel. Such compounds appear to be more plentiful in young than in old cells. The addition of any fermentable substrate, such as glucose, leads to rapid anaerobic adaptation. Experiments in which maltose-adapted cells are adapted anaerobically to galactose with the aid of a little added maltose, and conversely, show that fermentability is the criterion of usefulness for an exogenous substrate in aiding the adaptive process. None of the endogenous and exogenous energy sources which have been investigated will facilitate adaptation unless the adaptive substrate is present while they are being consumed. The significance of these findings and the adequacy of "activation" hypotheses to explain enzymatic adaptation has been discussed.     

COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON RESPIRATION : VIII. THE RESPIRATION OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS IN RELATION TO ANTAGONISM.

1. In relatively low concentrations of NaCl, KCl, and CaCl₂ the rate of respiration of Bacillus subtilis remains fairly constant for a period of several hours, while in the higher concentrations, there is a gradual decrease in the rate. 2. NaCl and KCl increase the rate of respiration of Bacillus subtilis somewhat at concentrations of 0.15 M and 0.2 M respectively; in sufficiently high concentrations they decrease the rate. CaCl₂ increases the rate of respiration of Bacillus subtilis at a concentration of 0.05 M and decreases the rate at somewhat higher concentrations. 3. The effects of salts upon respiration show a well marked antagonism between NaCl and CaCl₂, and between KCl and CaCl₂. The antagonism between NaCl and KCl is slight and the antagonism curve shows two maxima.     

CARBOHYDRATE AND ENERGY METABOLISM IN PERINATAL RAT BRAIN: RELATION TO SURVIVAL IN ANOXIA

The ability of rats of different ages to survive exposure to anoxia was correlated with rates of high energy phosphate consumption (metabolic rates) of the fore-brain. Fetal rats at term, delivered by hysterotomy following maternal decapitation, survived in nitrogen at 37°C twice as long as 1-day-old neo-nates, 5 times longer than 7-day-old rats, and 45 times longer than adults. During ischemia induced by decapitation, the cerebral concentrations of the labile energy reserves (ATP, ADP, P-creatine, glucose and glycogen) and of lactate were determined in fetuses, 1- and 7-day post-natal animals. From the changes, the cerebral energy use rates were calculated to be 1·57 mmol/kg/min in fetuses, 1·33 mmol/kg/min in 1-day-olds and 2·58 mmol/kg/min in 7-day-olds. Maximal rates of lactate accumulation during ischemia, as a measure of glycolytic capacity, were comparable in fetuses and neonates, but were about twice as great in 7-day-old rats. It is concluded that in post-natal animals survival in anoxia and cerebral energy consumption are inversely, and nearly quantitatively, related. However, the reduced cerebral energy requirement cannot entirely account for the greater anoxic resistance of fetuses.