Comparative Immunological Relationships of Two Distinct Sets of Isofunctional Dehydrogenases in the Genus Leuconostoc

D-Lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-P-DH), both purified from Leuconostoc lactis strain NCDO 546, were used to prepare specific antisera. Cross-reactions of varying intensity with the anti-D-LDH were obtained with all of the Leuconostoc strains and with certain strains of the heterofermentative lactobacilli studied. Cross-reactions with the anti-G-6-P-DH were obtained with all of the Leuconostoc strains except those of L. oenos; none of the heterofermentative lactobacilli cross-reacted. Pairwise comparisons between cross-reacting extracts with respect to each antiserum permitted the assignment of strains to groups of identical immunological specificity: with the exception of a single strain, the groups of strains revealed by the use of each antiserum coincided.