Demonstration of the pentose cycle reactions in Penicillium chrysogenum.

The presence of a pentose cycle has been demonstrated in almost all organisms that have been critically examined. However, it is yet to be demonstrated in a saprophytic mold. Sih and Knight (1956) have reported that Penicillium chrysogenum strain NRRL 1951 B25 contained significant quantities of pentose and heptulose phosphates, and Heath and Koffier (1956) showed that ribose-5-phosphate was metabolized by the cell free extracts of P. chrysogenum strain Q176; all of which suggests that the pentose cycle may also be operative in this organism. The present investigation shows the conversion of ribose-5-phosphate to sedoheptulose-7-phosphate, and the conversion of the latter to hexosephosphates.