RESISTANCE OF STREPTOCOCCUS STRAIN FA-1 TO LYSOZYME.
Abstract
In the course of an investigation into the properties of bacterial membrane-associated adenosine triphosphatase activities, an attempt was made to obtain whole-membrane preparations from Streptococcus strain FA-1 by the lysozyme method. This organism proved to be resistant to the action of lysozyme. Neither pre-treatment of the growing cultures with penicillin, or NaF, nor periodate oxidation of the capsule pre-disposed the cells to the action of lysozyme. Two treatments known to inhibit dextran (capsule) synthesis (growth in the presence of high concentrations of fructose and growth in the presence of low concentrations of soluble dextran) resulted in the production of cells which were altered by lysozyme to the extent that decreases in turbidity of the cell suspensions were observed but such treated cells also proved to be resistant to lysis by osmotic shock. Thus, it was concluded that his cariogenic streptococcus exhibits resistance to lysozyme because of (a) the presence of a dextran-containing capsule which acts as an effective barrier against lysozyme and (b) partial resistance of the cell wall structure to attack by lysozyme. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 09, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0699925
Entities
People
- Doyle J. Evans Jr
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center