Effects of Some Substances on the Formation of Inulin Fructotransferase in Arthrobacter ureafaciens

Abstract

The synthesis of inulin fructotransferase (IFT) in A. ureafaciens occurred specifically at the transitional phase between the lag and exponential phases of cell growth and it was induced in the presence of di-D-fructofuranose 1, 2' : 2, 3' dianhydride (DFA III). The formation was repressed by addition of D-glucose, and restored by addition of cyclic adenosine-3', 5'-monophosphate. The inductive formation of extracellular IFT was stopped by addition of either procaine, a neuroactive drug which inhibits the processing of extracellular protein, or cerulenin, an antibiotic which blocks lipid synthesis. The formation of the cell-bound form, on the contrary, was not suppressed by these substances. Lower concentrations of β-phenethyl alcohol, a membrane-modifying agent, stimulated the synthesis of the extracellular and cell-bound IFT's without modification of the enzyme. On the basis of these results, the modes of extracellular and cell-bound IFT syntheses in this microorganism were discussed.