Production of cholinesterase by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, its regulation by glucose and cyclic AMP and inhibition by antiserum

Production of cholinesterase by a pyocyanin-producing strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, isolated from a patient and grown in the presence of acetylcholine as the main source of carbon, was described. The enzyme activity was detected in suspensions of intact bacteria and in their subcellular preparations. Like the acetylcholinesterase of the electric eel, as opposed to that of the erythrocytes, this bacterial enzyme was inhibited by specific antiserum produced against it in rabbits. The production of the enzyme was found to be sensitive to catabolite repression and to require external cyclic AMP, but not 5′-AMP for the elimination of this repression. Cyclic AMP alone, without the inducer, did not stimulate the production of the enzyme.