EFFECTS OF 5-AMINOLEVULINATE AND N-METHYLPROTOPORPHYRIN DIMETHYL ESTER ON BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL SYNTHESIS IN AEROBIC BACTERIA

Abstract

The aerobic bacteria, Erythrobacter longus and Roseobacter denitrificans, were examined for the effects of 5-aminolevulinate (ALA) and N-methylprotoporphyrin dimethyl ester (NMPD) on bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) synthesis. Although external ALA seemed to be incorporated into a tetrapyrrole synthetic pathway leading to Bchl synthesis, there was no increase of Bchl in either Ro. Denitrificans or E. longus. With the addition of ALA, increased was protoporphyrin IX in Ro. Denitrificans, or protoheme in E. longus. NMPD enhanced the Bchl synthesis in E. longus but not in Ro. Denitrificans. It is likely that E. longus and Ro. Denitrificans are different from each other in the regulatory mechanism of Bchl synthesis.