Studies on Aerobacillus Polymyxa VI. Some Properties of the Hydrogenlyase Systems of Bacteria

Abstract

The formic hydrogenlyase, glucose hydrogenlyase, and hydrogenase systems of Aerobacillus polymyxa were inactivated by dilution, repeated washing, or oxygenation of a washed-cell suspension of the organism. The hydrogenase and glucose hydrogenlyase systems were less sensitive. than the formic hydrogenlyase, and during inactivation by oxygenation the relationship between the activities of these enzymes was rectilinear over the lower range of enzyme activities. Formic dehydrogenase and pyruvic dehydrogenase were both readily inactivated by the above procedures whereas the enzyme system transferring hydrogen from glucose to methylene blue was unaffected.