The effect of mycoplasma contamination on the in vitro assay of pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in cultured fibroblasts

Abstract

Cultured fibroblasts contaminated with mycoplasma were shown to have increased levels of apparent pyruvate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex enzyme activity. The apparent pyruvate dehydrogenase specific activity was about 1000-fold greater in cultured Mycoplasma pneumoniae than in cultured fibroblasts. Several acid hydrolytic enzyme activities were also shown to be present in M. pneumoniae though at lower apparent specific activity than in cultured fibroblasts.