Induction of Trimethylamine N-oxide Reductase in Escherichia coli

Abstract

The addition of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMO) to a culture medium containing glucose, casamino acids, yeast extracts and inorganic salts promoted the growth of Escherichia coli. No further breakdown of trimethylamine which is formed from TMO was observed during the period of cell growth. The addition of the oxide resulted in a remarkable increase in TMO reductase levels in cells, depending on the amount added to the culture. The increase was attributable to induced synthesis of the reductase as evidenced by the prevention of de novo synthesis of the enzyme protein in the presence of actinomycin D and chloramphenicol.