L-Arogenate is a chemoattractant which can be utilized as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology

OSTI ID:531143

Fischer, R S; Song, Jian; Gu, Wei; Jensen, R A ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States)

L-Arogenate is a commonplace amino acid in nature in consideration of its role as a ubiquitous precursor of L-phenylalanine and/or L-tyrosine. However, the questions of whether it serves as a chemoattractant molecule and whether it can serve as a substrate for catabolism have never been studied. We found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa recognizes L-arogenate as a chemoattractant molecule which can be utilized as a source of both carbon and nitrogen. Mutants lacking expression of either cyclohexadienyl dehydratase or phenylalanine hydroxylase exhibited highly reduced growth rates when utilizing L-arogenate as a nitrogen source. Utilization of L-arogenate as a source of either carbon or nitrogen was dependent upon {sub S}{sup 54}, as revealed by the use of an rpoN null mutant. The evidence suggests that catabolism of L-arogenate proceeds via alternative pathways which converge at 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate. In one pathway, prephenate formed in the periplasm by deamination of L-arogenate is converted to 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate by cyclohexadienyl dehydrogenase. The second route depends upon the sequential action of periplasmic cyclohexadienyl dehydratase, phenylalanine hydroxylase, and aromatic aminotransferase. 32 refs., 5 figs., 4 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 531143
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Journal Name: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 63; ISSN AEMIDF; ISSN 0099-2240
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
BIOCHEMISTRY
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL ATTRACTANTS
PSEUDOMONAS