[Role of acetate and butyrate in the induction of NADH: rubredoxin oxidoreductase in Clostridium acetobutylicum].

Study of the biosynthesis of NADH: rubredoxin oxidoreductase in resting cells of Clostridium acetobutylicum shows that this enzyme is synthesized at a maximal rate in the presence of acetic acid at a concentration of 3 g . l-1 and at pH 4.8. Protons do not play any role in this biosynthesis since no induction is observed in a medium without acetate for the same values of pH. Butyric acid at a concentration of 0.5 g . l-1 gives 50% induction and formic acid, isobutyric acid and propionic acid have no inductive action on NADH: rubredoxin oxidoreductase. These results are confirmed by studies using a dialysis bag. Only a culture against acetic acid at an initial concentration of 2 g . l-1 gives maximal biosynthesis of the enzyme, whereas a culture in which all products of metabolism are eliminated gives an activity which is 80% lower.