Inhibitory effect of glucose on tryptophanase.

Earlier studies from this and other laboratories have shown that the presence of glucose inhibits the formation of certain inducible enzymes in bacteria (Boyd and Lichstein, 1955; Magasanik, 1957). This phenomenon is not specific to glucose, but rather is shared by other carbohydrates utilized by the bacterial cells. Although several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this carbohydrate effect, the basic nature of the inhibition is still unknown. The present studies were initiated in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of glucose on the formation of tryptophanase in Escherichia coli.