Utilization of gluconate by Aspergillus niger. II. Enzymes of degradation pathways and main end products.

Aspergillus niger was grown from conidia on a medium with glucose as the source of carbon and potassium nitrate in non-limiting concentration as the source of nitrogen. After the exhaustion of glucose gluconate was added, this compound representing the almost only carbon source in the culture fluid at this time. Gluconate was used rapidly by the preformed mycelium, the main end-products of its metabolization being mycelial substance (including protein), CO2, and oxalate. In cell-free extracts from gluconate utilizing mycelia 8 enzymes of the Embden-Meyerhof (EM) pathway, 5 enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and an oxalate forming enzyme, oxaloacetate hydrolase (EC 3.7.1.1) were identified. The addition of fluoroacetate together with gluconate resulted in the accumulation of citrate, and in the inhibition of mycelial growth and of accumulation of oxalate. It is concluded that the EM pathway and the TCA cycle are involved in the formation of mycelial substance, CO2 and oxalate from gluconate. There is good correspondence between the rates of gluconate utilization and of oxalate accumulation which were observed immediately after the addition of gluconate and the in vitro activities of gluconokinase and oxaloacetate hydrolase, respectively, at this time.