Studies on the Metabolism of Pantothenic Acid in Microorganisms

The ability of the formation of coenzyme A from pantothenic acid and cysteine in the presence of AMP or ATP was searched in yeasts and bacteria. The result of screening showed that the activity was found in several yeasts and the bacteria belonging to the genera Sarcina, Corynebacterium and Brevibacterium. Particularly, Brevibacterium ammoniagenes IFO 12071 (ATCC 6871) accumulated a large amount of coenzyme A.

Isolation of the reaction products, which were synthesized by Brevibacterium ammoniagenes IFO 12071, were carried out. The isolates were identified as coenzyme A, dephosphocoenzyme A and phosphopantothenic acid.

The possibility for the formation of coenzyme A in a larger amount from pantothenic acid and cysteine was investigated with baker’s yeast under the condition coupled with ATP-generating system.

Effect of various factors affecting the accumulation of coenzyme A was investigated. Among them, glucose concentration and inorganic phosphorus concentration were the most important factors for its accumulation. Coenzyme A was not accumulated without the phosphorylation of AMP to ATP. Several cationic surfactants stimulated the accumulation of coenzyme A.

The amount of coenzyme A accumulated reached about 200 μg per ml of the reaction mixture under the suitable reaction conditions employed.