Inhibition by itaconate of growth of methylotrophic bacteria.

The effects of the isocitrate lyase-directed growth inhibitor itaconate on the growth of certain methylotrophic organisms was investigated. It was found that growth of those organisms possessing the Icl(+)-serine pathway of one-carbon metabolism was inhibited during growth on methylamine and on acetate, but not on glucose. Organisms possessing the Icl(-)-serine pathway pathway were unaffected. Organism PAR, an Icl(-)-serine pathway type, was not specifically inhibited during growth on acetate. This finding further substantiates previous reports of the lack of isocitrate lyase in this organism, indicating a totally new pathway for acetate assimilation.