Abstract
Leuconostoc mesenteroides B07, a typical heterolactic fermenting coccus, contains a new enzyme catalyzing the decarboxylation of 2-keto-6-phosphogluconate.
Basic properties of 2-keto-6-phosphogluconate decarboxylase were studied and decarboxylation product was isolated and identified as ribulose 5-phosphate.
It is postulated that, in this organism, 6-phosphogluconate may be oxidized to 2-keto-6-phosphogluconate by an NAD-linked dehydrogenase (not decarboxylating) (EC 1.1.1.43) and, thereafter, ribulose 5-phosphate and CO2 are formed by enzymatic decarboxylation.
