Metabolism of Cell Fragments of 'Neisseria meningitidis' with Special Emphasis on Carbohydrate Synthesis.

Abstract

The report describes two studies of fractions of group B N. meningitidis. Spheroplast membranes (spheroplast envelopes) of strain 2091 of group B Neisseria meningitidis were prepared by a procedure that included lysozyme treatment of the cells and osmotic lysis of the resulting spheroplasts. The membrane preparation consisted of 62% protein, 28% lipid, 9% ribonucleic acid, small amounts of carbohydrate, hexosamine, and deoxyribonucleic acid. Succinate dehydrogenase and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase activities were found to be associated with the spheroplast membranes. N-acetylneuraminic acid (NAN) - condensing enzyme and cytidine monophosphate-NAN synthesizing enzyme also were identified in this organism. For preparation of cytoplasmic membrane-enriched fractions, N. meningitidis group B cells were fractionated by the Schnaitman technique which consists of disrupting the bacteria with a French pressure cell and separating the fragments by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Three bands were isolated; the two lighter bands exhibited reddish brown color characteristics and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. The heavier white band contained predominately cell wall material and consisted of one to five layers. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 30, 1972
Accession Number
AD0750261

Entities

People

  • Emilio Weiss
  • James C. Hill

Organizations

  • Naval Medical Research Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acids
  • Amino Sugars
  • Carbohydrates
  • Cell Membrane
  • Cells
  • Cells (Biology)
  • Cellular Structures
  • Deoxyribonucleic Acids
  • Enzymes
  • Films
  • Infection
  • Materials
  • Membranes
  • Ribonucleic Acids
  • Wound Infections

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry