Intracellular pool ofStreptomycesspores: Amino acids, nucleosides, adenine nucleotide levels and energy charge

Abstract

We have previously reported that Streptomyces antibioticus spores incorporate [ 3 H]uridine and [ 3 H]leucine into RNA and protein, respectively, during incubation of spores in distilled water. These macromolecule biosynthetic processes must require the presence of a source of RNA and protein precursors in the dormant spore and energy able to supply the energetic requirements this biosynthesis demands. The former may be originated either in the existence of a pool of free amino acids and nucleotides, nucleosides or bases, or in the activity of degradative enzymes acting on RNA and protein species. The latter may arise from the utilization of some reserve polymers of the dormant spore and in the presence of quickly mobilized high-energy compounds, i.e. ATP. To obtain some answers to these questions and because there is a lack of information about the intracellular pool of Streptomyces spores, we have analysed the amino acid and nucleic acid presursor pools, the adenine nucleotide levels and energy charge of Streptomyces spores. This communication gives a description of this intracellular pool