Deoxyribose Aldolase from Lactobacillus plantarum

The fermentation of deoxyribose in Escherichia coli (1, 2) and in Lactobacillus plantarum (3, 4) appears to involve 2-deoxyribose 5-phosphate as an intermediate.Racker (2) has described an enzyme, deoxyribose phosphate aldolase, which catal.yzes the reversible cleavage of deoxyribose 5-phosphate to acetaldehyde and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate.The enzyme occurs in E. coli and in animal tissues (2), where its function is not clearly established, and in deoxyribose-grown W. E. Pricer, Jr. and B. L. Horecker 1293 Properties of EnzymeStability and Purity-The purified enzyme preparation was stable when stored at -16°, even with frequent thawing and refreezing.It was free of DPNH oxidase and triose phosphate isomerase.