EFFECT OF SUCCINATE ON CELLULOSE DECOMPOSITION BY THE RUMINAL BACTERIA

II. INDUCER-LIKE EFFECT OF SUCCINATE ON THE CELLULASE FORMATION IN CELLULOMONAS FIMI ISOLATED FROM SHEEP RUMEN

Abstract

1) Cellulase formation in Cellulomonas fimi R2 was stimulated when cells were cultured in media containing cellobiose or CMC.
2) Cells grown on glucose or starch media had no detectable cellulase; cellulase formation was stimulated by the addition of succinate.
3) Formation of cellulase by the stimulation of succinate was inhibited completely by chloramphenicol and strongly by 8-azaguanine, indicating that net protein synthesis was needed for this process.
4) The stimulatory effect of succinate was observed under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, but in the latter a more pronounced effect resulted.