Short-Chain Acyl-Coenzyme A Synthetases in Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

Abstract

Two short-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetases were extracted from the photosynthetic bacterium, Rhodopseudontonas sphaeroides, and partially purified by column chromatography on Sephacryl S-200 and DEAE-cellulose. One enzyme activated propionate, valerate, acrylate, butyrate, and acetate, and was designated as propionyl-CoA synthetase, since the highest activity and lowest K_m value (0.6mM) were observed with propionate. The other enzyme activated acetate, propionate and acrylate. It showed the highest activity and lowest K_m value (0.37mM) for acetate, and was identified as acetyl-CoA synthetase [EC 6. 2. 1. 1].