In vivo 31P and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance studies of acetate metabolism in Chromatium vinosum.

31P and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments were performed on suspensions of the phototrophic bacterium Chromatium vinosum incubated anaerobically in the dark. 31P NMR spectra revealed that during prolonged dark incubation high ATP levels are maintained. This phenomenon was independent of the presence of the energy reserves polyglucose and polyphosphate. 13C NMR experiments revealed that the amino acids glutamate, aspartate, and alanine are the major products of acetate incorporation in the dark. Apart from these amino acids, poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate was also formed. Acetate metabolism was markedly stimulated by the presence of polyglucose. The specific 13C activity of glutamate C-2 was approximately 50% that of glutamate C-4. The idea is discussed that this difference is the consequence of the maintenance of redox balance during entry of acetate into cell metabolism.