Evidence for the Pentose Cycle in Nocardia corallina

Cell-free extracts of Nocardia corallina were shown to contain glucose 6-phosphate and gluconate 6-phosphate de-hydrogenases which were NADP specific as well as enzymes for the conversion of ribose 5-phosphate into ketopentose, heptulose, and hexose. The results were interpreted as evidence for the major steps of the pentose pathway in N. corallina. Cells from various stages of the growth cycle differed in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase specific activity which suggests that changes in pentose cycle activity may be correlated with differences in fat metabolism and the life cycle previously reported for this organism.