NUTRITION AND METABOLISM OF MARINE BACTERIA: XI. SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LYTIC PHENOMENON

1962 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 883-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. MacLeod ◽  
Tibor I. Matula
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Marine Bacteria ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Lytic Action ◽  
Absorbing Materials ◽  
Sulphate Salts ◽  
Osmotic Effects

Five marine bacteria examined were found to differ considerably in lytic susceptibility. Some lysed completely below 0.15 M NaCl while suspensions of others contained some whole cells at 0.025 M NaCl. In general NaCl and LiCl were more effective than KCl or NH4Cl in protecting against lysis and the loss of ultraviolet-absorbing materials from the cells. KCl could spare the requirement for NaCl to prevent lysis. Mg++ and other divalent cations at 0.05 M or less completely prevented lysis of all but one of the organisms. Sulphate salts stabilized the cell suspensions better on incubation than did chlorides for four of the organisms. For the fifth the reverse was true. The lytic action of ethanol and glycerol could be prevented by NaCl or sucrose. The concentrations of the latter required to prevent lysis remained unchanged when ethanol or glycerol was included in the suspending medium. Cells washed essentially free of electrolytes with 0.5 M sucrose retained their morphological characteristics. The observations are considered in relation to the distinction between marine bacteria, halophiles, and terrestrial bacteria and to current theories of the mechanism of lysis of bacterial cells. The results are not consistent with the hypotheses either that primarily osmotic effects are involved or that electrolytes are required to maintain the cell wall.

Cell Wall Ultrastructure in Three Strains of a Cariogenic Streptococcus

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 338-339
Author(s):  
M. J. Kramer ◽  
Alan L. Coykendall
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Dental Caries ◽  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Microscopic Study ◽  
Electron Microscopic Study ◽  
Genetic Heterogeneity ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Dna Reassociation ◽  
Wall Ultrastructure

During the almost 50 years since Streptococcus mutans was first suggested as a factor in the etiology of dental caries, a multitude of studies have confirmed the cariogenic potential of this organism. Streptococci have been isolated from human and animal caries on numerous occasions and, with few exceptions, they are not typable by the Lancefield technique but are relatively homogeneous in their biochemical reactions. An analysis of the guanine-cytosine (G-C) composition of the DNA from strains K-1-R, NCTC 10449, and FA-1 by one of us (ALC) revealed significant differences and DNA-DNA reassociation experiments indicated that genetic heterogeneity existed among the three strains. The present electron microscopic study had as its objective the elucidation of any distinguishing morphological characteristics which might further characterize the respective strains.

scholarly journals Treadmilling FtsZ polymers drive the directional movement of sPG-synthesis enzymes via a Brownian ratchet mechanism

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua W. McCausland ◽  
Xinxing Yang ◽  
Georgia R. Squyres ◽  
Zhixin Lyu ◽  
Kevin E. Bruce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Theoretical Modelling ◽  
Binding Potential ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Macromolecular Complex ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Brownian Ratchet ◽  
Ratchet Mechanism ◽  
Directional Movement

AbstractThe FtsZ protein is a central component of the bacterial cell division machinery. It polymerizes at mid-cell and recruits more than 30 proteins to assemble into a macromolecular complex to direct cell wall constriction. FtsZ polymers exhibit treadmilling dynamics, driving the processive movement of enzymes that synthesize septal peptidoglycan (sPG). Here, we combine theoretical modelling with single-molecule imaging of live bacterial cells to show that FtsZ’s treadmilling drives the directional movement of sPG enzymes via a Brownian ratchet mechanism. The processivity of the directional movement depends on the binding potential between FtsZ and the sPG enzyme, and on a balance between the enzyme’s diffusion and FtsZ’s treadmilling speed. We propose that this interplay may provide a mechanism to control the spatiotemporal distribution of active sPG enzymes, explaining the distinct roles of FtsZ treadmilling in modulating cell wall constriction rate observed in different bacteria.

Chemical Composition, Morphological Characteristics, and Cell Wall Structure of Malaysian Oil Palm Fibers

2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. P. S. Abdul Khalil ◽  
M. Siti Alwani ◽  
R. Ridzuan ◽  
H. Kamarudin ◽  
A. Khairul
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Cell Wall Structure ◽  
Wall Structure

scholarly journals L-form bacteria, cell walls and the origins of life

Open Biology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 120143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Errington
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Cell Envelope ◽  
Evolutionary Development ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Evolutionary Radiations ◽  
Key Steps ◽  
Bacterial Domain

The peptidoglycan wall is a defining feature of bacterial cells and was probably already present in their last common ancestor. L-forms are bacterial variants that lack a cell wall and divide by a variety of processes involving membrane blebbing, tubulation, vesiculation and fission. Their unusual mode of proliferation provides a model for primitive cells and is reminiscent of recently developed in vitro vesicle reproduction processes. Invention of the cell wall may have underpinned the explosion of bacterial life on the Earth. Later innovations in cell envelope structure, particularly the emergence of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, possibly in an early endospore former, seem to have spurned further major evolutionary radiations. Comparative studies of bacterial cell envelope structure may help to resolve the early key steps in evolutionary development of the bacterial domain of life.

Controlled lysis of bacterial cells utilizing mutants with defective synthesis of D-alanine

1988 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Heaton ◽  
Robert B. Johnston ◽  
Thomas L. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Alanine Racemase ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Cell Wall Formation ◽  
Fermentation Processes ◽  
Intracellular Enzymes ◽  
Dense Cell

An alanine racemase (EC 5.1.1.1) mutant (Dal−) of Bacillus subtilis required small amounts of D-alanine to synthesize an osmotically stable cell wall in certain growth media. Investigation of the conditions which caused lysis in hypotonic media revealed that in addition to complex media, such as nutrient broth and acid-hydrolyzed casein, glycine inhibited stable cell wall formation. D-Alanine prevented the glycine inhibition. Up to 99% lysis occurred in both dilute and dense cell suspensions (optical densities up to 110) within 2.5 h after adding 1% glycine to late log phase cultures. Intracellular enzymes recovered from the lysate were as active as those from lysozyme-disrupted cells. No amino acid tested other than glycine induced lysis. Dal− mutants can be used for controlled lysis of bacterial cells to facilitate the isolation of normal intracellular constituents and bioengineered products from fermentation processes. Cell walls of most bacteria contain D-alanine; thus, this strategy should be applicable to a wide variety of microorganisms.

Extracellular alkaline phosphatase from marine bacteria: purification and properties of extracellular phosphatase from a marine Pseudomonas sp.

1980 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 833-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromi Kobori ◽  
Nobuo Taga
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Marine Bacteria ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Maximal Activity ◽  
Pseudomonas Sp ◽  
Purification And Properties ◽  
Extracellular Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Increased Pressure

Extracellular alkaline phosphatase produced by a marine Pseudomonas was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 100 000. The enzyme had maximal activity at pH 11.5. The enzyme was completely inhibited by 1 mM EDTA. However, divalent cations reversed the enzyme inhibition and their order of effectiveness on the reaction was Zn2+ > Ca2+ > Mn2+ > Mg2+ > Sr2+ > Co2+. The enzyme activity was affected by the species of anion whose order of effectiveness was demonstrated to follow the lyotrophic series, Cl− > Br− > NO3−> ClO4− > SCN−. The activity of phosphatase was accelerated linearly by increased pressure until up to 1000 atm (1 atm = 101.325 kPa), and the enzyme activity at 1000 atm was 3.2 times higher than that at 1 atm.

scholarly journals Spectrophotometric techniques for the characterization of strains involved in the blue pigmentation of food: Preliminary results

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Fasolato ◽  
Nadia Andrea Andreani ◽  
Roberta De Nardi ◽  
Giulia Nalotto ◽  
Lorenzo Serva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Spectral Characteristics ◽  
Small Ring ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Visible Spectroscopy ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Extracellular Products ◽  
Blue Discoloration

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRs) and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) have been investigated as rapid techniques to characterize foodborne bacteria through the analysis of the spectra of whole cells or microbial suspensions. The use of spectra collected from broth cultures could be used as a fingerprint for strain classification using a combined polyphasic approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of NIRs and UV-vis for the characterization of blue strains belonging to the Pseudomonas fluorescens group. The bacteria were isolated from different food matrices, including some spoiled samples (blue discoloration). Eightyone strains previously identified at the species level were grown in Minimal Bacterial Medium broth under standard conditions at 22°C. Two biological replicates were centrifuged in order to separate the bacterial cells from the extracellular products. Six aliquots per strain were analyzed on a small ring cup in transflectance mode (680-2500 nm, gap 2 nm). A subset of 39 strains was evaluated by UV-vis to determine changes in the spectral characteristics at 48 and 72 hours. Several chemometric approaches were tested to assess the performance of NIRs and UVvis. According to the variable importance in projection (VIP), the 1892-2020 nm spectral region showed the highest level of discrimination between blue strains and others. Additional information was provided in the 680-886 and 1454-1768 nm regions (aromatic C-H bonds) and in the 2036-2134 nm region (fatty acids). Changes in UV-vis spectral data (at 48 and 72 hours) appear to indicate the presence of phenazine and catecholic compounds in extracellular products.

scholarly journals Plasticity in Escherichia coli cell wall metabolism promotes fitness and mediates intrinsic antibiotic resistance across environmental conditions

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A Mueller ◽  
Petra Anne Levin
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Growth Parameter ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Cell Wall Integrity ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Intrinsic Resistance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Peptidoglycan Cell Wall ◽  
Wide Ph Range

ABSTRACTAlthough the peptidoglycan cell wall is an essential structural and morphological feature of most bacterial cells, the extracytoplasmic enzymes involved in its synthesis are frequently dispensable under standard culture conditions. By modulating a single growth parameter—extracellular pH—we discovered a subset of these so-called “redundant” enzymes in Escherichia coli are required for maximal fitness across pH environments. Among these pH specialists are the class A penicillin binding proteins PBP1 a and PBP1 b; defects in these enzymes attenuate growth in alkaline and acidic conditions, respectively. Genetic, biochemical, and cytological studies demonstrate that synthase activity is required for cell wall integrity across a wide pH range, and differential activity across pH environments significantly alters intrinsic resistance to cell wall active antibiotics. Together, our findings reveal previously thought to be redundant enzymes are instead specialized for distinct environmental niches, thereby ensuring robust growth and cell wall integrity in a wide range of conditions.

METHODS FOR INDICATION OF NONCULTURATED VIABLE MICROORGANISMS WHEN CONTROL OF CRITICAL POINTS OF LIVESTOCK, POULTRY AND FOOD PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-447
Author(s):  
Ekaterina M. Lenchenko ◽  
◽  
Damir I. Udavliev ◽  
Inna B. Pavlova ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Luminescence Spectrum ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Heterogeneous Structure ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Microscopic Fungi ◽  
Gram Positive Bacteria ◽  
Red Luminescence

The results of morphometric and densitometric parameters biofilms are presented, effective methods of detecting uncultivated viable microorganisms isolated from a representative sample of objects of veterinary and sanitary supervision are tested and selected. Optical, luminescent and scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of a three-dimensional structure biofilms in the form a dense network consisting of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, yeast cells, hyphal and pseudohyphalic forms, surrounded by an intercellular polymer matrix. The presence hyphae of microscopic fungi causes an increase in the number of cells adhered to the substrate, microcolonies were formed from bacteria and yeast cells of microscopic fungi. The pathogenesis of the syndrome of overgrowth of microorganisms is provided by the presence of various dissociative variants, the dispersion of uncultivated bacterial cells, which gain advantages in the hyperagregation of the architectonics of heterogeneous biofilms. Multilayer membranes, vesicles, cells with a defective cell wall, spheroplasts, protoplasts, L-shapes, needle-like and giant structures, and revertant cells were identified. The dynamics of changes in the viable structures microorganisms was characterized by alternating periods of decrease and increase in the intensity of biofilm formation. When detecting the viability of microorganisms in the composition biofilms, viable and non-viable cells were differentiated – a green luminescence spectrum and a red luminescence spectrum, respectively. The dissociation of the population caused an increase in the concentration of R-dissociant cells with a higher growth rate, cell lysis was detected after 48–72 h of cultivation, a change in the ratio phenotypic forms was observed – the M-dissociant was predominant. The study of the heterogeneous structure of the population, without disturbing the natural architectonics of biofilms, revealed direct correlations (r = 0,89) between morphometric (≥90 % of the field of view) and densitometric parameters (OD). The efficiency of a nutrient medium containing pancreatic hydrolyzate, mannitol, L-asparagine and glycerol was established for the repair of the cell wall, the reversal of L-forms of microorganisms.

scholarly journals Factors That Affect the Enlargement of Bacterial Protoplasts and Spheroplasts

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 7131
Author(s):  
Hiromi Nishida
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Bacterial Cell ◽  
Metal Ion ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Cell Enlargement ◽  
Ion Composition ◽  
Gene Manipulation ◽  
Peptidoglycan Biosynthesis

Cell enlargement is essential for the microinjection of various substances into bacterial cells. The cell wall (peptidoglycan) inhibits cell enlargement. Thus, bacterial protoplasts/spheroplasts are used for enlargement because they lack cell wall. Though bacterial species that are capable of gene manipulation are limited, procedure for bacterial cell enlargement does not involve any gene manipulation technique. In order to prevent cell wall resynthesis during enlargement of protoplasts/spheroplasts, incubation media are supplemented with inhibitors of peptidoglycan biosynthesis such as penicillin. Moreover, metal ion composition in the incubation medium affects the properties of the plasma membrane. Therefore, in order to generate enlarged cells that are suitable for microinjection, metal ion composition in the medium should be considered. Experiment of bacterial protoplast or spheroplast enlargement is useful for studies on bacterial plasma membrane biosynthesis. In this paper, we have summarized the factors that influence bacterial cell enlargement.

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