The Oxidation of I(-)-aspartic and Z(+)-glutamic Acids by Hemophilus Parainfluenzae

The organism, Hemophilus parain$uenzae, requires factor V as an essential nutrient (1). It has been shown that diand triphosphopyridine nucleotides can serve as factor V (2). When the bacteria have utilized the available factor V, growth and the ability to perform those functions requiring pyridine nucleotide cease. If pyridine nucleotide is added to the bacteria, their ability to grow and carry out various reactions is restored. Either nucleotide can be added, since they are interconvertible in the bacteria (2). In the present work the oxidation of amino acids by Hemophilus parain&enzae has been studied. It was found that Z(+)-glutamic and I(-)-aspartic acids were oxidized, and that the oxidations required pyridine nubleotide. An attempt to determine which nucleotide was required in the oxidations was not successful. Data were obtained which indicate that I(+)-glutamic and Z(-)aspartic acids were oxidized according to Equations I and II respectively.