agar and Autolysis

Log phase cells of Micrococcus lysodeikticus (luteus) IFO 3333 autolyzed when incubated at 37 C in 0.01 M sodium-phosphate buffer pH 7.5. The enzyme involved in the autolysis was recovered mainly in an aqueous phase from cytoplasmic membranes and cytoplasmic materials treated with n-butanol, and proved to be an N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine amidase. The autolysis of log phase cells suspended in autolyzing buffer was depressed by the addition of trypsin to the buffer.

Topics: Agar; Alanine; Amidohydrolases; Autolysis; Buffers; Cell Wall; Culture Media; Cytoplasm; Deoxyribonucleases; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Micrococcus; Muramic Acids; Sucrose; Trypsin

Topics: Agar; Autolysis; Cell Membrane; Culture Media; Cytoplasm; L Forms; Microscopy, Electron; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; Staining and Labeling; Staphylococcus

The relationship between exposure of pneumococci to antibiotics and appearance of beta hemolysis (rather than the usual alpha hemolysis) was studied in 100 isolates. All strains were capable of producing beta hemolysis. This occurred at the edge of inhibition zones produced by methicillin and other antibiotics, but only if grown anaerobically and subsequently exposed to air at reduced temperatures. Autolysis of the pneumococci was necessary for the beta hemolysis to be produced. Beta hemolysis was optimal at pH 6.8; none occurred at pH 7.4. The concentration of red cells influenced the reaction: at 4% the extent of beta hemolysis was drastically reduced, which suggests that the lysin is not an enzyme.

Topics: Agar; Anaerobiosis; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Autolysis; Erythrocytes; Ethanolamines; Hemolysin Proteins; Hemolysis; Horses; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Micropore Filters; Staining and Labeling; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Temperature

Topics: Agar; Antifungal Agents; Autolysis; Bacillus; Bacteriolysis; Blastomyces; Cell Count; Cell Survival; Soil Microbiology; Species Specificity; Streptomyces

Topics: Agar; Autolysis; Bacteriological Techniques; Culture Media; Erythrocytes; Methods; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Streptococcus pyogenes

Topics: Agar; Autolysis; Cell Wall; Citrates; Cytoplasm; Cytoplasmic Granules; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Glucose; Histocytochemistry; Lead; Melanins; Microscopy, Electron; Mitochondria; Mitosporic Fungi; Plants, Edible; Staining and Labeling