bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolism of a Proline Analogue,
l
-Thiazolidine-4-Carboxylic Acid, by
Escherichia coli
Authors: Unger Leon , DeMoss R. D.
Published: January 2020

Unger, Leon
(University of Illinois, Urbana),
and R. D. DeMoss
. Metabolism of a proline analogue,
l
-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, by
Escherichia coli
. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1564–1569. 1966.—Resting cells of
Escherichia coli
K-12, pregrown in a proline- and thioproline-free medium, oxidize the proline analogue,
l
-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (
l
-thioproline), without a lag with the consumption of 1 atom of oxygen per mole of thioproline. The organism also oxidizes cysteine and formaldehyde, the chemical precursors of thioproline. The total oxygen consumed is the same whether the substrate is thioproline, cysteine, formaldehyde, or an equimolar mixture of cysteine and formaldehyde. The results suggest that neither cysteine nor formaldehyde are free intermediates in the oxidative pathway. Thioproline is available as a metabolic carbon source for the synthesis of the ribonucleic acid bases, guanine and uracil.
Influence of Exogenous Substrates on the Endogenous Respiration of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Gronlund Audrey F. , Campbell J. J. R.
Published: January 2020

Gronlund, Audrey
F. (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada),
and J. J. R. Campbell
. Influence of exogenous substrates on the endogenous respiration of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1577–1581. 1966.—The influence of growth conditions, ammonium ions, and glucose concentration on endogenous respiration in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
was determined by measuring C
14
O
2
evolution from uniformly labeled cells that had previously been grown on C
14
-glucose. A 93% suppression of endogenous C
14
O
2
evolution was evident under growth conditions, and a 66% suppression was observed in the presence of excess glucose. Increasing exogenous glucose concentrations supported decreasing levels of endogenous C
14
O
2
evolution. Ammonium ions slightly suppressed endogenous activity and enhanced the decrease in C
14
O
2
release observed with exogenous glucose. In addition, the effect of exogenous glucose, α-ketoglutarate, 2-ketogluconate, aspartic acid, and adenosine selectively on both endogenous ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein oxidation was followed by measuring C
14
O
2
evolution from cells grown with C
14
-uracil or C
14
-proline. The five exogenous substrates examined suppressed endogenous RNA oxidation, and the degree of suppression appeared to be correlated with the amount of oxygen consumption and, hence, energy gained during the oxidation of these substrates. Oxidation of endogenous protein was decreased when cells were incubated with glucose, aspartate, and adenosine, but was increased when α-ketoglutarate and 2-ketogluconate were the exogenous substrates. The influence of the oxidizable exogenous compounds appeared to be related, in part, to the ammonium ion requirement imposed upon the cells for assimilation of the individual exogenous substrate.
Influence of Exchangeable Ions on Germinability of Bacterial Spores
Authors: Rode L. J. , Foster J. W.
Published: January 2020

Rode
, L. J. (The University of Texas, Austin),
and J. W. Foster
. Influence of exchangeable ions on germinability of bacterial spores. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1582–1588. 1966.—Native spores of
Bacillus megaterium
Texas, and H-spores produced by titration of native spores to
p
H 4 with mineral acid, did not germinate in a solution of alanine and inosine unless a strong electrolyte was present. Ca-spores prepared from either H-spores or native spores did germinate efficiently in the same solution without a strong electrolyte. Of several other bivalent cations tested, only strontium and barium could substitute for calcium in conditioning spores for subsequent germination in the absence of an electrolyte. Variable responses were obtained with different metal ion forms of 62 unidentified soil isolates and several stock species of
Bacillus
. Although the pattern of response was not uniform in all organisms, ions played a crucial role in the germinability of the great majority of strains tested.
Density of Infectious Virus and Complement-Fixing Antigens of Two Rhinovirus Strains
Authors: Dans P. E. , Forsyth B. R. , Chanock R. M.
Published: January 2020

Dans
, P. E. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Md.), B. R.
Forsyth, and R. M. Chanock
. Density of infectious virus and complement-fixing antigens of two rhinovirus strains. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1605–1611. 1966.—Two rhinovirus serotypes (echovirus 28 and HGP) and poliovirus type 1 were banded by isopycnic centrifugation in cesium chloride. The rhinovirus virions had a density of 1.41 g/ml, whereas that of poliovirus was 1.34. Since a number of other enteroviruses also have a density of 1.34 g/ml in cesium chloride, a basic difference in density may exist between the rhinovirus and enterovirus subgroups of the picornavirus family. Whether this difference reflects differences in ribonucleic acid content or binding of cesium ions remains to be determined. In tests with echovirus 28 two peaks of CF activity were detected: one in association with the virion (1.41 g/ml), and a larger peak of lower density (1.30 g/ml). With echovirus 28 antiserum, a heterotypically reactive complement-fixing (CF) antigen was detected in the HGP virus suspension at a density less than that of the virion (1.30 g/ml). This antigen corresponded in density to the less dense CF antigen of echovirus 28.
Amino Acid Composition of Walls from Single and Filamentous Cells of
Clostridium acidiurici
Authors: Gaffar Abdul , Terry David R. , Sagers Richard D.
Published: January 2020

Gaffar, Abdul
(Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah),
David R. Terry, and Richard D. Sagers
. Amino acid composition of walls from single and filamentous cells of
Clostridium acidiurici
. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1618–1624. 1966.—The walls from single and filamentous cells of
Clostridium acidiurici
were shown to contain 11 amino acids: aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, proline,
d
-alanine, glycine, valine, methionine, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine. In the walls from cells grown at 37 C,
d
-alanine was the amino acid present in largest quantity, but in the walls from cells grown at 44 C there was a 50% reduction in the
d
-alanine content while the levels of the other amino acids were unchanged. Filamentous cells grown at 44 C, then brought to 37 C and transferred to fresh medium, fragmented into short cells within 30 min. Alanine racemase activity was the same in extracts from cells grown at both 37 and 44 C, suggesting that this enzyme was not the major controlling factor in the low content of
d
-alanine in filaments grown at 44 C. Spent medium from cultures grown at 44 C contained a significant amount of
d
-alanine, whereas there was no evidence of this amino acid in the spent medium from cultures grown at 37 C.
Effects of High Incubation Temperature Upon the Cell Wall of
Escherichia coli
Authors: Hoffman Heiner , Valdina Jon , Frank Michael E.
Published: January 2020

Hoffman, Heiner
(New York University, New York, N.Y.),
Jon Valdina, and Michael E. Frank
. Effects of high incubation temperature upon the cell wall of
Escherichia coli
. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1635–1637. 1966.—
Escherichia coli
cells grown at 45 C were found to swell when suspended in distilled water, and were broken down when subjected to egg white lysozyme. Cells grown at 37 C were unaffected by these reagents. It appears, therefore, that cultivation at the upper limits of the temperature growth range leads to cell wall damage. It is suggested that this reaction may account for the favorable therapeutic effects of artificially elevated body temperature in certain infectious diseases.
Chemical Composition and Serological Analysis of the Cell Wall of
Peptostreptococcus
Authors: Bahn Arthur N. , Kung Patrick C. Y. , Hayashi James A.
Published: January 2020

Bahn, Arthur
N. (Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill.),
Patrick C. Y. Kung, and James A. Hayashi
. Chemical composition and serological analysis of the cell wall of
Peptostreptococcus
. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1672–1676. 1966.—Chemical and serological analyses were made of the cell wall of
Peptostreptococcus
to characterize taxonomically this genus of anaerobic streptococci. Cell wall hydrolysates of
P. putridus
strains 06 and 85,
P. intermedius
strains 11 and 87, and
P. elsdenii
strain B-159 were prepared, and the cell wall sugars were measured quantitatively by paper chromatography. Strain 85 contained only glucose, whereas strain 06 contained 93% glucose and 7% mannose. Strain 87 contained only rhamnose, and strain 11 contained approximately equal amounts of glucose and rhamnose. Strain B-159 differed from all the other strains in having a low (3.1%) content of total carbohydrate, consisting of rhamnose, galactose, and glucose. Quantitative amino acid analyses showed that the major amino compounds present in the cell wall were glutamic and aspartic acids, alanine, lysine, muramic acid, glucosamine, and galactosamine. Strains 06 and 85 possessed this complement of amino compounds, but strains 11 and 87 had relatively little aspartic acid. Strain B-159 was markedly different in having a high content of glycine and diaminopimelic acid, with only traces of lysine; it was the only strain in which teichoic acid was found. Serological analyses were made with the use of cell wall extracts as antigenic material and with homologous antisera, as well as streptococcal group antisera for groups A through S. The only strong agglutination was obtained between strain 87 antigen and group C antisera; weak agglutination was obtained with 87 against N, O, and K, and between strain 11 and groups E and F. All other antisera gave negative reactions. It is concluded that strain B-159 does not belong to the genus
Peptostreptococcus
, that strains 06 and 85 are members of
P. putridus
, and that strains 11 and 87 may be members of two different genera.
Heat Reactivation of the α-Hemolytic, Dermonecrotic, and Lethal Activities of Crude and Purified Staphylococcal α-Toxin
Authors: Manohar M. , Kumar S. , Lindorfer R. K.
Published: January 2020

Manohar, M. (University of Minnesota, St. Paul),S. Kumar, and R. K. Lindorfer. Heat reactivation of the α-hemolytic, dermonecrotic, and lethal activities of crude and purified staphylococcal α-toxin. J. Bacteriol.91:1681–1685. 1966.—Crude staphylococcal toxin loses its α-hemolytic activity more rapidly at 60 than at 100 C. This paradoxical behavior has been postulated to be due to the presence of a thermolabile inhibitor in crude toxin. This work provides experimental evidence for the presence of a thermolabile “protective inhibitor.” This substance(s) protects the α-toxin against destruction at 60 C, yet simultaneously inhibits the hemolytic activity of α-toxin under the same conditions. Of greater importance, this work also demonstrates that the dermonecrotic and lethal activities of crude toxin are inactivated and reactivated in parallel with the α-hemolytic activity. Crude staphylococcal toxin possessing a high α-hemolytic titer when heated to 60 C for 30 min lost its α-hemolytic, dermonecrotic, and lethal activity. However, when this same toxin was immediately exposed to 100 C, a remarkable simultaneous reactivation of all three of these activities occurred. Contrariwise, electrophoretically purified α-hemolysin, which also possessed dermonecrotic and lethal activity, showed no reactivation under these conditions, thus demonstrating that reactivation is due to a substance(s) distinct from the α-toxin. The fact that α-hemolytic, dermonecrotic, and lethal activities were inactivated at 60 C and simultaneously reactivated at 100 C provides additional proof that these activities are all associated with one toxic component. The probability is remote that three separate entities would exhibit the same rate of inactivation and the same strange reactivation.
Bacteriocin Production by Strains of
Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Kingsbury David T.
Published: January 2020

Kingsbury, David
T. (Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Md.). Bacteriocin production by strains of
Neisseria meningitidis
. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1696–1699. 1966.—Strains of
Neisseria meningitidis
produce substances inhibitory to other strains of meningococcus. These substances are nontransmissible and show a high degree of strain specificity. The properties of one of these substances resemble those of the class of bacterial inhibitors called bacteriocins. Synthesis of this “meningocin” can be increased as much as 200-fold by induction with mitomycin C. It shows a high degree of heat stability and is sensitive to proteolytic enzymes. Six bacteriocins from strains of
N. meningitidis
have been used to type meningococci. By use of this procedure, strains that were identical serologically were placed into distinct bacteriocin groups.
Role of Bacterial Chemical Components in Immunofluorescence
Authors: Jones Wallis L. , Lewis Vester J.
Published: January 2020

Jones, Wallis
L. (Communicable Disease Center, Atlanta, Ga.),
and Vester J. Lewis
. Role of bacterial chemical components in immunofluorescence. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1700–1704. 1966.—The problem of heterologous staining of bacteria in pure culture and in clinical specimens by fluorescein-labeled antisera for
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
was examined by observing the presence of particular cellular components in the bacteria involved. Decreases in the degree of staining of
C. diphtheriae
, diphtheroids, and cocci by the immunofluorescent reagent were shown to accompany hydrolytic removal from the cells of specific compounds, the identities of which varied from those of the treated organisms.
Characterization of Several Bovine Rumen Bacteria Isolated with a Xylan Medium
Authors: Dehority B. A.
Published: January 2020

Dehority
, B. A. (Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster). Characterization of several bovine rumen bacteria isolated with a xylan medium. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1724–1729. 1966.—Studies were conducted to characterize eight strains of bacteria isolated from bovine rumen contents, by use of a medium containing xylan as the only added carbohydrate source. Based on morphology, biochemical reactions, nutritional requirements, and fermentation products, five of the eight strains were identified as
Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens
. Many properties of the remaining three strains resembled
Bacteroides ruminicola
; however, propionic acid was consistently found as a fermentation product. When the type strains for
B. ruminicola
subsp.
ruminicola
and
B. ruminicola
subsp.
brevis
were compared with the present isolates, it was found that propionic acid was a normal fermentation product for the type strain
B. ruminicola
subsp.
ruminicola
when grown in a 40% rumen fluid-0.5% glucose broth. Production of propionic acid was markedly reduced for all strains when grown in a 20% rumen fluid-1% glucose broth. The three remaining strains were thus placed in the species
B. ruminicola
, and further classified into the subspecies
ruminicola
(one strain) and
brevis
(two strains) on the basis of their requirement for hemin. Although the type strain of
B. ruminicola
subsp.
brevis
did not produce propionic acid, both of the present isolates classified as this subspecies produced substantial amounts. One strain of
B. ruminicola
subsp.
brevis
had an absolute requirement for volatile fatty acids. Either isobutyric or
dl
-2-methylbutyric acid would satisfy this requirement, whereas isovaleric acid was ineffective. It is of interest that xylan-fermenting bacteria isolated from 10
−7
and 10
−8
dilutions of rumen contents by use of a xylan medium are similar to the xylan fermenters isolated at the same dilutions with a nonselective medium.
Detoxified Bacterial Endotoxins II. Preparation and Biological Properties of Chemically Modified Crude Endotoxins fromSalmonella typhimurium
Authors: Martin William J. , Marcus Stanley
Published: January 2020

Martin, WilliamJ. (University of Utah, Salt Lake City),and Stanley Marcus. Detoxified bacterial endotoxins. II. Preparation and biological properties of chemically modified crude endotoxins fromSalmonella typhimurium. J. Bacteriol.91:1750–1758. 1966.—Chemical modification of a crude endotoxin prepared by the Roschka-Edwards (RE) procedure from a strain ofSalmonella typhimuriumyielded products which were nontoxic for mice and had reduced fever effects in rabbits. A reduction in rabbit pyrogenicity of approximately 100 times was noted with a potassium periodate-treated RE preparation when compared with the parent RE preparation. Measured in a similar fashion, pyrogenicity of a potassium methylate-treated RE preparation was reduced by a factor of 10 while pyrogenicity of a boron trifluoride RE preparation was unchanged. All of these endotoxoids, including the parent RE preparation, showed little toxicity for mice. Immunogenicity was determined in mice by comparing Boivin, RE, and endotoxoid preparations with a heat-killed, phenol-preserved (HP) vaccine prepared from the same strain ofS. typhimurium. Employing a 10ld50challenge, the protective immunogenicity of the respective vaccines was determined by active immunized mouse protection tests. Although two 100 μg immunizing doses of the Boivin, RE, and the respective endotoxoid preparations varied in mouse protection (potassium methylate RE > Boivin > RE > boron trifluoride RE > potassium periodate RE), it was evident that, with the exception of the potassium methylate preparation, the HP vaccine yielded greatest protection against the 10ld50challenge withS. typhimurium. Further mouse protection experiments suggested that the minimal immunogenic dose of the potassium methylate RE vaccine preparation was approximately 50 μg. These data indicated an approximate fivefold difference between the minimal pyrogenic dose (10 μg) and the minimal immunogenic dose (50 μg). These findings further suggest that potassium methylate RE vaccine preparations should be considered in the search for less toxic enteric fever vaccines.
Bordetella pertussis
Culture Having Only Species Factor 1
Authors: Eldering Grace , Holwerda Jack , Baker Julia
Published: January 2020

Eldering, Grace
(Michigan Department of Public Health, Grand Rapids),
Jack Holwerda, and Julia Baker
.
Bordetella pertussis
culture having only species factor 1. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1759–1762. 1966.—Preston's description of
Bordetella pertussis
353-Z as a culture possessing only factor 1 was confirmed by agglutination and agglutinin-adsorption tests. The
ld
50
values of this culture for mice inoculated by the intracerebral route were approximately the same as that of
B. pertussis
18-323, the challenge culture in mouse potency tests of pertussis vaccine. In mouse protection tests, vaccine prepared with the factor 1 culture protected as well against challenge with
B. pertussis
18-323, which has a broad antigenic pattern, as did vaccines made with cultures possessing factors 2, 3, 4, and 5 in addition to factor 1. When two groups of similarly immunized mice were challenged with 353-Z and 18-323, respectively, much lower
ed
50
values were obtained with the animals challenged with 353-Z. This was true whether a factor 1 vaccine or a vaccine with factors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 was tested.
Chromosomal Location of the Structural Gene for Glycerol Kinase in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Cozzarelli N. R. , Lin E. C. C.
Published: January 2020

Cozzarelli
, N. R. (Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.),
and
E. C. C.
Lin
. Chromosomal location of the structural gene for glycerol kinase in
Escherichia coli
. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1763–1766. 1966.—A glycerol kinase mutant site has been mapped by transduction and sexual conjugation. Three-factor crosses with the two procedures yielded the following gene order: arginine-1–methionine-1–glycerol kinase–isoleucine, valine-16. An additional 13 independent glycerol kinase mutant sites mapped in the same region. Since some of the mutants were able to produce a protein serologically indistinguishable from the wild-type enzyme, it is concluded that the region mapped represents the structural gene for the kinase.
Production of Lysozyme by Staphylococci and Its Correlation with Three Other Extracellular Substances
Authors: Jay James M.
Published: January 2020

Jay, JamesM. (Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.). Production of lysozyme by staphylococci and its correlation with three other extracellular substances. J. Bacteriol.91:1804–1810. 1966.—Lysozyme production was determined on plates containing 1 mg/ml of Lysozyme Substrate in Heart Infusion Agar with incubation at 37 C for 48 hr. Its production was compared with that of α-hemolysin and sheep hemolysin and egg-yolk precipitation, by use of both coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative strains of staphylococci. Of 126 coagulase-positive strains tested, 120 or 95.2% produced lysozyme, 117 or 92.9% produced α-hemolysin, 108 or 85.7% precipitated egg yolk, and 102 or 81% produced sheep hemolysin. Of the 49 coagulase-negative strains (which included 22 pathogens), only 4 or 8.1% produced lysozyme, 14 or 28.6% produced α-hemolysin, 13 or 26.5% produced sheep hemolysins, and 5 or 10.2% precipitated egg yolk. Only two of the six coagulase-positive strains which failed to produce lysozyme showed any consistent patterns in relation to the four characteristics determined. The four coagulase-negative strains which produced lysozyme were inconsistent for the other characteristics measured. It is suggested that lysozyme production is more a property of coagulase-positive staphylococci, and therefore a better ancillary test of pathogenicity, than either production of α-hemolysin or egg-yolk precipitation, because the incidence of lysozyme producers is higher among this group than among those producing the other substances and because fewer coagulase-negative staphylococci produced lysozyme than hemolysins or egg-yolk precipitation. Of 16 other species of bacteria and yeasts tested, all were found negative exceptBacillus subtilis. Lysozyme production by staphylococci in heavily contaminated foods was not inhibited on plates containing sodium azide, whereas media containing 7.5% salt and sorbic acid were unsuitable. The possible relationship of lysozyme production to staphylococcal pathogenicity is discussed.
Limited Multiplication of
Mycobacterium lepraemurium
in Parabiotic Culture, as Influenced by Osmolarity of an Alkaline-Galactomannan Medium
Authors: Kato Laszlo , Gozsy Bela
Published: January 2020

Kato, Laszlo
(Institut de Microbiologie et d'Hygiène de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada),
and Bela Gozsy
. Limited multiplication of
Mycobacterium lepraemurium
in parabiotic culture, as influenced by osmolarity of an alkaline-galactomannan medium. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1859–1862. 1966.—Limited multiplication of
Mycobacterium lepraemurium
has been achieved in an alkaline (
p
H 8.4) galactomannan-containing medium, when cultivated alone or in parabiosis with a feeder strain,
Torula minuta
. Hyperosmolarity (NaCl, 2.0%) enhanced multiplication in both cases. With 2.0% NaCl in the medium, selective lysis of the feeder cells occurred, without damage to
M. lepraemurium
. Multiplication depends more on the physical properties (viscosity, hyperosmolarity, and alkaline
p
H) of the medium than on its chemical composition. The described conditions are proposed as a model for cultivation trials with other “apparently noncultivable” microorganisms.
Galactose Repression of β-Galactosidase Induction in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Beggs William H. , Rogers Palmer
Published: January 2020

Beggs, William
H. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis),
and Palmer Rogers
. Galactose repression of β-galactosidase induction in
Escherichia coli
. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1869–1874. 1966.—Galactose repression of β-galactosidase induction in
Escherichia coli
was investigated to determine whether the galactose molecule itself is the catabolite repressor of this enzyme system. Without exception, β-galactosidase induction by cells grown in a synthetic salts medium with lactate or glycerol as the carbon source was more strongly repressed by glucose than by galactose. This relationship existed even when the organism was previously grown in the synthetic medium containing galactose as the source of carbon. Two observations suggested that the ability of galactose to repress β-galactosidase formation by
Escherichia coli
depends directly upon the cells' capacity to catabolize galactose. First, galactose repression of β-galactosidase synthesis was markedly enhanced in bacteria tested subsequent to gratuitous induction of the galactose-degrading enzymes with
d
-fucose. Second, galactose failed to exert a repressive effect on β-galactosidase in a galactose-negative mutant lacking the first two enzymes involved in galactose catabolism. Glucose completely repressed enzyme formation in this mutant. This same mutant, into which the genes for inducible galactose utilization had been introduced previously by transduction, again exhibited galactose repression. Pyruvate was found to be at least as effective as galactose in repressing β-galactosidase induction by cells grown in synthetic salts medium plus glycerol. It is concluded that the galactose molecule itself is not the catabolite repressor of β-galactosidase, but that repression is exerted through some intermediate in galactose catabolism.
Envelope Protein(s) Derived from Influenza Virus
Authors: Eckert Edward A.
Published: January 2020

Eckert, Edward
A. (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor). Envelope protein(s) derived from influenza virus. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1907–1910. 1966.—Lipids were extracted from influenza virus, strain PR8, with methanol-chloroform, and the protein residue was dissolved in 67% glacial acetic acid. Hemagglutinating activity and complement-fixing reactivity were markedly reduced or lost during lipid extraction, and then increased after acetic acid treatment and subsequent dialysis. Evidence is presented that the envelope protein(s) responsible for these activities is dissociated in acetic acid and reassociated at neutral
p
H.
A Methane-Dependent Coccus, with Notes on Classification and Nomenclature of Obligate, Methane-Utilizing Bacteria
Authors: Foster J. W. , Davis Richard H.
Published: January 2020

Foster
, J. W. (The University of Texas, Austin),
and Richard H. Davis
. A methane-dependent coccus, with notes on classification and nomenclature of obligate, methane-utilizing bacteria. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1924–1931. 1966.—A new coccus-shaped bacterium capable of aerobic growth at the expense of methane or methanol in a mineral salts medium is described. The organism did not grow at the expense of any of the conventional substrates or homologous hydrocarbons tested. It is gram-negative, nonmotile, and thermotolerant. It grows well at 50 C, optimally at 37 C, but does not grow at 55 C. The cells are encapsulated and have a characteristic diplococcoid arrangement. Washed, “resting-cell” suspensions oxidized certain primary alcohols and short-chain alkanes, an example of “nongrowth oxidation.” Of the methane-C utilized, 86% was “fixed” in organic form; the remainder was oxidized to CO
2
. The guanine-cytosine content of the extracted deoxyribonucleic acid was 62.5%. Obligate methane-utilizing bacteria are considered as “one-carbon” organisms rather than hydrocarbon utilizers. The assimilation pathway in the obligate methane-methanol bacteria is different from that in the facultative methanol utilizers. Nomenclatural problems arising from the use of the prefix “
Methano
-” to denote both bacteria that oxidize methane and bacteria that produce methane are discussed. The obligate, one-carbon, methane-methanol bacteria are considered as “methyl” utilizers, and the prefix “
Methylo
-” is suggested as a solution to the problem of generic cognomens. “
Methylococcus capsulatus
” gen. n., sp. n. is the name proposed for the new methane coccus.
Persistent Cyclic Herpes Simplex Virus Infection In Vitro II. Localization of Virus, Degree of Cell Destruction, and Mechanisms of Virus Transmission
Authors: Hampar Berge
Published: January 2020

Hampar, Berge
(National Institute of Dental Research, Bethesda, Md.). Persistent cyclic herpes simplex virus infection in vitro. II. Localization of virus, degree of cell destruction, and mechanisms of virus transmission. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1959–1964. 1966. The localization of virus, degree of cell destruction, and mechanisms of virus transmission in persistent herpes simplex virus-infected cultures were studied. The major fraction of infectious virus was associated with the medium and a minor fraction was associated with the attached cells. Virus in the medium was further separable into a sedimentable (cellular) fraction and a nonsedimentable (extracellular) fraction. The sedimentable fraction was comprised of cellular debris, most of which appeared to contain viral antigen, and intact cells of which less than 10% contained infectious virus. Cell destruction during the cycle involved more than 99.9% of the maximal number of cells present. Infection could be transmitted by extracellular virus, cell-to-cell transfer, and reattachment of infectious cellular material. The results indicated that transmission by reattachment was probably mediated through the cellular debris rather than the intact cells.
Chemical and Antigenic Analysis of the Cell Walls ofNeisseria meningitidisGroup B
Authors: Vedros Neylan A. , Hill Paul R.
Published: January 2020

Vedros, NeylanA. (Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Md.),and Paul R. Hill. Chemical and antigenic analysis of the cell walls ofNeisseria meningitidisgroup B. J. Bacteriol.91:1992–1997. 1966.—Cell walls have been isolated fromNeisseria meningitidisgroup B, by rapid freeze-thawing or treatment with sodium deoxycholate. Chemical analysis of the cell walls indicated that the amino acid composition, and content of hexosamines and of lipids, were similar to those reported forEscherichia coli, except for higher concentrations of alanine, methionine, glutamic acid, and phenylalanine. The meningococcal cell walls showed groupspecificity in the complement-fixation test, were nontoxic for rabbits, and in rabbits produced antibodies which protected mice from challenge with the homologous strain.
Morphological Subtype of the Smooth-Spored Streptomycetes
Authors: Tresner H. D. , Davies M. C. , Englert M. E.
Published: January 2020

Tresner
, H. D. (Lederle Laboratories, American Cyanamid Co., Pearl River, N.Y.), M. C.
Davies, and M. E. Englert
. Morphological subtype of the smoothspored streptomycetes. J. Bacteriol.
91:
1998–2005. 1966.—Electron microscopy reveals that certain
Streptomyces
species produce chains of smooth-surfaced, contiguous, cylindrical spores that resemble the phalanges. Although spore shape itself has not, heretofore, provided an especially important aid in the taxonomy of the streptomycetes, the “phalangiform” spore character promises to be helpful in the identification of species possessing it.
Effect of Trypsin and Ribonuclease on the Immunogenic Activity of Ribosomes and Ribonucleic Acid Isolated from
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Youmans Anne S. , Youmans Guy P.
Published: January 2020

Youmans, Anne
S. (Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.),
and Guy P. Youmans
. Effect of trypsin and ribonuclease on the immunogenic activity of ribosomes and ribonucleic acid isolated from
Myobacterium tuberculosis
. J. Bacteriol.
91:
2146–2154. 1966.—The ribosomal fraction of the attenuated strain, H37Ra, of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
was treated with trypsin alone, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) alone, EDTA and pancreatic ribonuclease, or with trypsin and ribonuclease. After each of these treatments, the ribosomal fractions were injected intraperitoneally into male CF-1 mice to test their capacity to produce an immune response to infection with virulent tubercle bacilli, strain H37Rv. Removal of protein with trypsin left the immunogenicity unchanged; EDTA alone reduced immunogenicity in the smaller vaccinating doses; EDTA plus ribonuclease reduced the immunogenicity by approximately 50% in the highest (1.0 mg) vaccinating dose; ribonuclease alone, after treatment with trypsin, reduced immunogenicity also approximately 50%. A crude mycobacterial ribonucleic acid (RNA) was prepared by extraction of the ribosomal fraction with alcohol. This RNA preparation was as effective in producing an immune response as the ribosomal fraction from which it was prepared, unless the RNA was partially or completely degraded during the preparation. The effect of ribonuclease on the immunogenicity of the RNA was similar to that obtained with the ribosomal fractions, except that ribonuclease completely destroyed the immunogenicity of a partially degraded RNA. RNA appears to be an essential part of an immunizing substance in attenuated tubercle bacilli, which produces a high degree of immunity in mice; 50 μg (dry weight) will protect approximately 80% of the mice, and as little as 0.5 μg will protect approximately 30% of the mice. Mycobacterial RNA not incorporated in Freund's incomplete adjuvant was nonimmunogenic. Yeast RNA incorporated in Freund's incomplete adjuvant was not immunogenic.
Allescheria boydii
and
Aspergillus fumigatus
Skin Test Antigens
Authors: May Lewis K. , Knight Ralph A. , Harris H. William
Published: January 2020

May, Lewis K. (Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia), Ralph A. Knight, and H. William Harris.
Allescheria boydii
and
Aspergillus fumigatus
skin test antigens. J. Bacteriol. 91:2155–2157. 1966.—Protein and polysaccharide fractions were extracted from culture filtrates of
Allescheria boydii
and
Aspergillus fumigatus
by the methods of Seibert and of Heidelberger, and injected intradermally into guinea pigs previously infected with these fungi. The diameter of erythema and induration was determined at 8, 24, and 48 hr. The protein and polysaccharide antigens yielded specific skin reactions in homologously infected guinea pigs. Erythema appeared at 8 hr with both the protein and polysaccharide antigens. At this time, the polysaccharide skin tests showed erythema and a central blanched wheal. A similar wheal was not observed with the protein. The erythema of the polysaccharide reaction began fading at 24 hr, whereas the protein reaction remained unchanged through 48 hr with both antigens. In guinea pigs, the area of erythema was more constant and thus easier to measure than was induration.
Antigenic Properties of the Cell Wall and Other Fractions of the Yeast Form ofHistoplasma capsulatum
Authors: Pine Leo , Boone Clarence J. , McLaughlin Dave
Published: January 2020

Pine, Leo(Communicable Disease Center, Atlanta, Ga.),Clarence J. Boone, and Dave McLaughlin. Antigenic properties of the cell wall and other fractions of the yeast form ofHistoplasma capsulatum. J. Bacteriol.91:2158–2168. 1966.—Yeast-form cells ofHistoplasma capsulatumwere fractionated in an attempt to obtain complement-fixing antigens with greater specificity than those of the currently used whole yeast form. No specific fraction was isolated. Rupture of the whole cell produced soluble and insoluble highly antigenic fractions. The soluble fractions rapidly lost antigenicity. Marked reduction of activity of some particulate fractions was also observed. The purified cell wall, stripped of its protein components, was antigenic, relatively stable, and demonstrated low cross-reactivity with heterologous sera. All fractions cross-reacted with sera from cases of North American blastomycosis to a greater degree than did the whole yeast-form antigen ofH. capsulatum. The production of certain cellular fractions varied with the strains used. In complement-fixation tests, insignificant differences in specificity and antigenicity were found with whole-cell antigens from 13H. capsulatumstrains as well as with purified cell wall fractions prepared from 2 of these strains.
Antigens of
Bordetella pertussis
IV. Effect of Heat, Merthiolate, and Formaldehyde on Histamine-Sensitizing Factor and Protective Activity of Soluble Extracts from
Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Munoz J. , Hestekin B. M.
Published: January 2020

Munoz
, J. (Rocky Mountain Laboratory, Hamilton, Mont.),
and B. M. Hestekin
. Antigens of
Bordetella pertussis
. IV. Effect of heat, Merthiolate, and formaldehyde on histamine-sensitizing factor and protective activity of soluble extracts from
Bordetella pertussis
. J. Bacteriol.
91:
2175–2179. 1966.—Both histamine-sensitizing and protective activities of soluble preparations from
Bordetella pertussis
cells are destroyed by heating at 80 C for 0.5 hr. The histamine-sensitizing activity appeared to be more susceptible to inactivation by heat than the protective activity. Formaldehyde in a final concentration of 0.5% rapidly diminished the histamine-sensitizing ability of saline extract (SE) held at 37 C. The protective activity was clearly more resistant to inactivation by formaldehyde at similar temperature. The inactivating action of formaldehyde was slower when the concentration of SE was increased or when the mixture was kept at 2 to 5 C. Merthiolate in a final concentration of 1:10,000 had no demonstrable deleterious effects on either protective or histamine-sensitizing activity of SE.
Leukocytes and Interferon in the Host Response to Viral Infections II. Enhanced Interferon Response of Leukocytes from Immune Animals
Authors: Glasgow Lowell A.
Published: January 2020

Glasgow, LowellA. (University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, N.Y.). Leukocytes and interferon in the host response to viral infections. II. Enhanced interferon response of leukocytes from immune animals. J. Bacteriol.91:2185–2191. 1966.—The production of interferon was studied under in vitro conditions in peritoneal leukocytes or macrophages from mice immunized with Chikungunya virus (CV). Cultures of leukocytes obtained from animals immune to CV produced 2- to 10-fold greater amounts of interferon when exposed to an inoculum of CV than similar cell preparations from nonimmune, control animals. The viral inhibitor produced in increased quantity by CV-immune leukocytes had the biological and biochemical properties of interferon. The enhanced interferon production was inhibited by actinomycin D. This response of immune leukocytes was specific, and was initiated only by CV; it was not observed in leukocytes from animals immunized against other viruses which were challenged with CV. The presence of neutralizing antibody could not be related to this response. The observed increase in interferon production was not dependent upon an enhanced virus uptake. The data are presented as a possible new dimension of the “immune response” and may suggest a mechanism for the phenomenon of “tissue immunity.”
Nature of a Red Cell Sensitizing Substance from Streptococci
Authors: Jackson Robert W. , Moskowitz Merwin
Published: January 2020

Jackson, Robert
W. (Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind.),
and Merwin Moskowitz
. Nature of a red cell sensitizing substance from streptococci. J. Bacteriol.
91:
2205–2209. 1966.—A method for purifying a streptococcal antigen which sensitizes red cells to agglutination by antiserum is described. The antigen, when purified by this method, is almost exclusively composed of glycerophosphate and
d
-alanine. The ratio of alanine to glycerophosphate varies from 1:5 to 1:3. The glycerophosphate is polymerized and is thus a teichoic acid. The polyglycerophosphate appears to be the antigenic determinant for agglutination.
d
-Alanine is readily removed by mild base and appears to be necessary for the attachment of the teichoic acid to red cells. Quantitative removal of alanine does not affect the ability of the polymer to absorb antibody from serum.
Suppression of
amber
and
ochre r
II Mutants of Bacteriophage T4 by Streptomycin
Authors: Orias E. , Gartner T. K.
Published: January 2020

Orias
, E. (University of California, Santa Barbara),
and T. K. Gartner
. Suppression of
amber
and
ochre r
II mutants of bacteriophage T4 by streptomycin. J. Bacteriol.
91:
2210–2215. 1966.—Streptomycin-induced suppression of
amber
and
ochre r
II mutants of phage T4 was studied in a streptomycin-sensitive strain of
Escherichia coli
and four nearly isogenic streptomycin-resistant derivatives of this strain, in the presence and in the absence of an
ochre
suppressor. Most of the 12
r
II mutants tested were suppressed by streptomycin in the streptomycin-sensitive
su
−
strain. This streptomycin-induced suppression in the
su
−
strain was eliminated by the independent action of at least two of the four nonidentical mutations to streptomycin resistance. In two of the
su
+
str-r
strains, streptomycin markedly augmented the suppression caused by the
ochre
suppressor. In those
su
−
str-r
hosts in which significant streptomycin-induced suppression could be measured, the
amber
mutants were more suppressible than the
ochre
mutants.
Effect of Filtrates from Transformable and Nontransformable Streptococci on the Transformation of Streptococci
Authors: Perry Dennis , Slade Hutton D.
Published: January 2020

Perry, Dennis
(Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.),
and Hutton D. Slade
. Effects of filtrates from transformable and nontransformable streptococci on the transformation of streptococci. J. Bacteriol.
91:
2216–2222. 1966.—The nature of the transformation competence factor from a group H streptococcus was investigated. The activity of competence factor reached a maximum at the time that optimal competence was attained, the maxima of both occurring in the early log phase of growth. The decrease in competence factor was much more gradual than the decrease in number of competent cells. No inhibitor, however, was detected as being responsible for the decrease in either competent cells or competence factor activity. Efforts to induce transformation in other serological groups of streptococci with the use of group H competence factor were unsuccessful. The development of competence in group H when grown in the presence of nontransformable group A strains resulted in a significant increase in the number of transformants. Culture filtrates from early log phase group A cells also caused an increase in the number of transformants from the group H strain. The addition of 10
−4
m
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid to group A (or group H) culture filtrates caused significant increases in the number of transformants. These results thus indicate that group A streptococci, although nontransformable, produce low levels of “competence factor.” Late culture filtrates from the group H streptococcus and several strains of group A streptococci possessed deoxyribonuclease-like activity which inhibited the transformation of the group H strain. This activity in the A filtrates, however, was not prevented by group A anti-deoxyribonuclease sera. Instead, these sera also inhibited transformation. Evidence indicates that the lack of transformation of group A streptococci is due to factors other than the production of deoxyribonuclease.
Synthesis of Malformin by an Enzyme Preparation from
Aspergillus niger
Authors: Yukioka Munehiko , Winnick Theodore
Published: January 2020

Yukioka
, M. (University of Hawaii, Honolulu),
and T. Winnick
. Synthesis of malformin by an enzyme preparation from
Aspergillus niger
. J. Bacteriol.
91:
2237–2244. 1966.—An enzyme fraction derived from disrupted
Aspergillus
cells was able to utilize each of the component labeled amino acids of malformin for the synthesis of this cyclic pentapeptide. The process was stimulated by adenosine triphosphate, K
+
, and Mg
++
, and was optimal at approximately
p
H 8.5. It was not affected by inhibitors of protein synthesis (ribonuclease, chloramphenicol, puromycin). There is evidence that cysteine, rather than cystine, was incorporated into peptide linkage, so that the disulfide bridge of malformin was formed subsequently. Although only the
d
isomers of cysteine and leucine occur in the malformin molecule, the
l
, as well as the
d
form of these amino acids, was readily utilized by the enzyme preparation. As in the case of several other microbial peptide systems, it appears that the
d
enantiomorph can arise from the
l
isomer at an intermediate stage of polypeptide synthesis.
Two Functionally Different Dihydroorotic Dehydrogenases in Bacteria
Authors: Taylor W. Herman , Taylor Mary L. , Eames Donald F.
Published: January 2020

Taylor
, W. H. (Portland State College, Portland, Ore.), M. L.
Taylor, and D. F. Eames
. Two functionally different dihydroorotic dehydrogenases in bacteria. J. Bacteriol.
91:
2251–2256. 1966.—We have investigated the relationship between the two kinds of dihydroorotic dehydrogenases produced by bacteria. A pseudomonad, capable of growth on a salts medium with glucose, aspartate, glycerol, or orotate as the carbon source, was isolated from lake bank mud. A particle-bound dihydroorotic dehydrogenase, similar to the biosynthetic enzyme in
Escherichia coli
, was formed by the pseudomonad when the carbon source was orotate, glucose, glycerol, or aspartate. A soluble, degradative nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-linked dihydroorotic dehydrogenase, as well as the particle-bound biosynthetic enzyme, was formed when the pseudomonad was cultivated on orotate. The biosynthetic enzyme links to oxygen or ferricyanide, but not to pyridine nucleotides.
Zymobacterium oroticum
, when cultivated on glucose, contained only the biosynthetic type of dihydroorotic dehydrogenase. The presence of two functionally different dihydroorotic dehydrogenases in the pseudomonad was suggested on the basis of the following observations: (i) the two enzyme activities were separated by centrifugation; (ii) the pyridine nucleotide-linked activity was formed only when orotate was present in the growth medium; and (iii) the biosynthetic enzyme was stable to storage at −20 C for 4 months, whereas the degradative enzyme activity was destroyed by storage under these conditions.
Spore Formation by
Bacillus popilliae
in Liquid Medium Containing Activated Carbon
Authors: Haynes W. C. , Rhodes Lenora J.
Published: January 2020

Haynes
, W. C. (Northern Regional Research Laboratory, Peoria, Ill.),
and Lenora J. Rhodes
. Spore formation by
Bacillus popilliae
in liquid medium containing activated carbon. J. Bacteriol.
91:
2270–2274. 1966.—Heretofore, it has not been found possible to evoke sporulation of
Bacillus popilliae
in liquid culture. We have discovered that sporulation will occur in tryptone-glucose-yeast extract broth shaken cultures if activated carbon (charcoal) is present during growth. The spores so engendered have survived drying in air and subsequent storage for several months as dry films and also in dry soil, sand, and a mixture of powdered calcium carbonate and talc. Furthermore, the longevity of cultures, even when spores are absent, is extended, in cultures containing activated carbon, to several weeks at a population of millions of cells per milliliter. This extension of life is the result of a marked change from rapid decline in numbers to an almost stationary population.