EFFECT OF EDTA AND PHOSPHOLIPASES ON PERMEABILITY OF ESCHERICHIA COLI AS MEASURED BY BETA-GALACTOSIDASE ACTIVITY

Abstract

A permeaseless mutant of Escherichia coli that produces beta-galactosidase constitutively was treated briefly with ethylene diaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and then with the phospholipases of Bacillus cereus. An increase in cell permeability and lysis was indicated by an increase in beta-galactosidase activity and a decrease in absorbancy of the cell suspension. The susceptibility of the cells to attack by EDTA and the phospholipases was markedly affected by the age of the cells when harvested. The results suggest that the permeability changes are associated with the activity of a phospholipase that specifically degrades phosphatidyl ethanolamine. A sonictreatment method, which is independent of the age of E. coli cells when harvested, is described for determining their total beta-galactosidase content.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0819930

Entities

People

  • Gerald F. Logan Jr.
  • Milton W. Slein

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical And Dental Materials
  • Blood
  • Cell Membrane
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Escherichia
  • Escherichia Coli
  • Gamma Globulin
  • Immune Serums
  • Laboratory Animals
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Permeability
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Polymeric Films
  • Proteins

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Computer science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Microbial Pathology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry