Evidence that the isomerization of D-ribose and L-rhamnose is catalyzed by the same enzyme in Mycobacterium smegmatis.

D-Ribose isomerase was purified and crystallized from cells of Mycobacterium smegmatis grown on either D-ribose or L-rhamnose. Isomerase activity for both of these sugars remained together throughout the purification. The isomerase from L-rhamnose-grown cells had the same chemical and physical properties as the enzyme isolated from D-ribose grown cells. In addition, immunological studies indicated that both activities were in the same protein since antisera prepared against either of the crystals cross-reacted with the other and gave lines of symmetry by the agar gel diffusion method.