Enzymes Induced in a Bacterium by Growth on Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Alkyl sulfatase was induced by growth on nutrient broth plus sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in a bacterium we have designated Pseudomonas C12B. Measurement of the radioactivity of S(35)O(4) (=) released from SDS(35) by the enzyme in cell-free extracts provided an effective assay technique. The barium chloranilate assay for release of SO(4) (=) from SDS was somewhat less sensitive but effective if analyzed at 332 mmu. This test was only approximately 55% as sensitive if analyzed at 530 mmu. The activity of the glyoxylate bypass enzymes, isocitrate lyase and malate synthetase, was significantly stimulated by growth of the bacteria on SDS as the sole carbon source, but not by growth on nutrient broth or nutrient broth plus SDS.