Studies on the Rôle of Niacin and Thiamine in the Metabolism of Glucose by Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

In a study on the inhibitive effect of glucose, in media devoid of niacin, on the growth of bacteria requiring this vitamin for carbohydrate metabolism, it was noted that there exists a certain coordination between niacin and thiamine in the utilization of glucose by staphylococci. The experiments reported below were designed to elucidate the specific r6les of these two vitamins in the carbohydrate metabolism of these organisms.Knight, in 1937, was the first to demonstrate that Staphylococcus aureus can grow in a. synthetic medium containing cystine, tyrosine and tryptophane, provided the two vitamins niacin and thiamine are also added. He designated the vitamins as essential growth factors, but did not establish their specific function in the metabolic activity of these organisms. Subsequent metabolic studies have been made chiefly on resting cells previously grown either in media containing adequate amounts of both vitamins, or, as in the work of Hills (1938), in substrates relatively deficient in thiamine, but not in niacin. The authors referred to were concerned primarily with the nature of the breakdown of pyruvic acid, because of the part played by thiamine in this process in animals.The present investigations differ essentially from the previous studies in that they were conducted with growing cells and were designed to ascertain the r6le of these vitamins singly and together in the metabolism of glucose and the resulting acids. For comparison, a number of respiration tests were also made with resting cells. Experiments were conducted under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. EXPERIMENTAL Procedure and methods. The staphylococci used in these experiments were isolated from furuncles. For preliminary orientation a large number of freshly isolated and stock strains were tested for their vitamin requirements.

AEROBIC RESPIRATORY METABOLISM OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS FROM AN INFECTED ANIMAL

“…If the assumption is made that the organisms separated from the peritoneal and thoracic exudates had the opportunity to possess more thiamine and nicotinamide than the organisms grown in vitro, then the striking difference in glucose metabolism is more easily understood. Kligler, Gossowicz and Bergner (1943) showed that nicotinamide and thiamine had a definite effect on the glucose metabolism of S. aureus. Thiamine, which catalyzes many reactions involved in the breakdown of pyruvic acid, had no effect on the anaerobic glycolytic reaction.…”

Relation of Bacteria to Vitamins and Other Growth Factors

“…However, most of the recent data in support of this view are general rather than specific in character. Kligler et al (148,149) reported that nicotinic acid and thiamine are required if glucose is present in the medium, but not if it is absent. Many papers have been published showing that thiamine (119,(321)(322)(323)358, 360, 365); riboflavin (2, 143), pantothenic acid (26, 78, 120), and nicotinic acid (or coenzyme I) (82, 211) increase respiration (oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production or methylene blue reduction) by cells (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Propionibacterium pentosaceum, Proteus morganii, Lactobacillus mannitopoeus, dysentery bacilli, Hemophilus parainfluenzae) acting on various substrates (e.g., glucose, lactate, pyruvate).…”