Function of the glyoxylate-condensing enzymes. I. Growth of Escherichia coli on n-valeric acid.

Growth of Escherichia coli E-26 on valeric acid results in the formation of a mutant population characterized by the ability to form constitutively several glyoxylate-condensing enzymes. This mutant also differs from the parent organism in the ability to effect rapid growth on a series of short-chain fatty acids. These mutants were utilized in postulating genetic relationships among the various glyoxylate-condensing activities and also in correlating the presence of these enzymes with the ability of the mutants to initiate growth quickly on short-chain fatty acids.