Preliminary characterization studies on the Neisseria catarrhalis respiratory electron transport chain.

The Neisseria catarrhalis respiratory electron transport system was examined in a sonic type particulate membrane fraction and shown to have a moderately active succinate as well as nonpyridine nucleotide-dependent dl-lactate oxidoreductase and a very active tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine oxidase. l-Malate and l-glutamate oxidation were found to be dependent on pyridine nucleotides and exclusively associated with a soluble (or nonmembranous) fraction. The primary cytochrome components in the electron transport system appear to be c-type in nature (555 nm and 550 nm) as well as cytochrome a(1) (600 nm) and cytochrome o.