Fermentative production of CDP-choline. VII. Fermentative formation of CDP-choline by intact cells of a yeast, Saccharomyces carlsbergensis (IFO 0641) treated with a detergent, triton X-100.

Formation of CDP-choline from CMP consists of two reactions; (1) phosphorylation of CMP to CTP catalized by CMP kinase system, (2) condensation of CTP and phosphorylcholine catalyzed by pyrophosphorylase. The formation of CDP-choline has been achieved only by dried cells of yeasts, but not by intact cells. However, in this paper it is revealed that intact cells of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis carried out the above two reactions upon treatment with some detergents: Triton X-100, Nonion B, Ampholytic Detergent A, Anion C. Among these detergents, Triton X-100 was the most effective for the formation of CDP-choline. From the effect of Triton X-100 on these two reactions, difference of localization of these two kinds of enzymes was discussed.