Induction of pyruvate decarboxylase in Candida utilis.

Induction of cytoplasmic pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) in Candida utilis increases with culture age throughout aerobic logarithmic phase growth on glucose and is due to oxygen depletion. Resting cells, grown on ethanol or acetate, fail to initiate PDC synthesis for two to three hours following anaerobic suspension in glucose although these cells are capable of glucose uptake. PDC induction occurs only at permissive growth temperatures, i.e., 5 degrees C to 35 degrees C. A preliminary characterization of the enzyme indicates an activity optimum of 35 degrees C and a lack of any regulatory properties.