bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcription of the Escherichia coli fumarate reductase genes (frdABCD) and their coordinate regulation by oxygen, nitrate, and fumarate
Authors: Jones H M , Gunsalus R P
Published: January 2020

The fumarate reductase enzyme complex allows Escherichia coli to grow anaerobically with fumarate as a terminal electron acceptor for oxidative phosphorylation when the preferred compounds oxygen and nitrate are not available. We used the pKO promoter test vectors to identify a single promoter for the frdABCD genes which encode fumarate reductase. Expression of galactokinase from the frd promoter-galK operon fusion plasmid was repressed by oxygen and by nitrate and was induced by fumarate, indicating that frd gene expression is regulated at the transcriptional level by these terminal electron acceptors. S1 nuclease analysis, using a single-stranded DNA probe from the frd promoter region and mRNA isolated from a fumarate reductase-induced culture, revealed that the frd mRNA transcript initiates with an adenine residue 93 bases prior to the start of frdA translation. No promoters internal to the frd genes were revealed with the plasmid promoter screening system. S1 nuclease analysis revealed that the frd mRNA terminates in a uridine-rich region centered at 46 bases after the last codon of frdD. A stem and loop structure previously described as the growth rate-dependent attenuator for the linked ampC gene precedes the frd mRNA terminus. This result confirms the proposal that the stem and loop structure serves the dual role of a frd terminator anaerobically and an ampC attenuator aerobically. The four frd genes encoding the subunits of the fumarate reductase complex thus comprise an operon which is regulated at the transcriptional level in response to the cellular availability of the alternate electron acceptors oxygen, nitrate, and fumarate.
Congo red agar, a differential medium for Aeromonas salmonicida, detects the presence of the cell surface protein array involved in virulence
Authors: Ishiguro E E , Ainsworth T , Trust T J , Kay W W
Published: January 2020

Strains of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida which possess the cell surface protein array known as the A-layer (A+) involved in virulence formed deep red colonies on tryptic soy agar containing 30 micrograms of Congo red per ml. These were readily distinguished from colorless or light orange colonies of avirulent mutants lacking A-layer (A-). The utility of Congo red agar for quantifying A+ and A- cells in the routine assessment of culture virulence was demonstrated. Intact A+ cells adsorbed Congo red, whereas A- mutants did not bind Congo red unless first permeabilized with EDTA. The dye-binding component of A+ cells was shown to be the 50,000-Mr A-protein component of the surface array. Purified A-protein avidly bound Congo red at a dye-to-protein molar ratio of about 30 by a nonspecific hydrophobic mechanism enhanced by high salt concentrations. Neither A+ nor A- cells adsorbed to Congo red-Sepharose columns at low salt concentrations. On the other hand, A+ (but not A-) cells were avidly bound at high salt concentrations.
Binding of polycationic antibiotics and polyamines to lipopolysaccharides of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Peterson A A , Hancock R E , McGroarty E J
Published: January 2020

Polycations, such as aminoglycoside and peptide antibiotics, and naturally occurring polyamines were found to bind to the lipopolysaccharide of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and alter its packing arrangement. Binding of cations was measured by the displacement of a cationic spin probe from lipopolysaccharide into the aqueous environment upon addition of competitive cations. The level of probe displacement was dependent on the concentration and charge of the competing cation, with the more highly charged cations being more effective at displacing probe. The relative affinity of several antibiotics for lipopolysaccharide correlated with their ability to increase outer membrane permeability, while the relative affinity of several polyamines correlated with their ability to stabilize the outer membrane. Probe mobility within the lipopolysaccharide head group was shown to be decreased by cationic antibiotics and unaltered or increased by polyamines. We propose that antibiotic permeability and disruption of outer membrane integrity by polycationic antibiotics results from binding of the antibiotic to anionic groups on lipopolysaccharide with a consequent change in the conformation of lipopolysaccharide aggregate structure.
Differential expression of hydrogenase isoenzymes in Escherichia coli K-12: evidence for a third isoenzyme
Authors: Sawers R G , Ballantine S P , Boxer D H
Published: January 2020

The cellular contents of the nickel-containing, membrane-bound hydrogenase isoenzymes 1 and 2 (hydrogenases 1 and 2) were analyzed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Their expression was differentially influenced by nutritional and genetic factors. Hydrogenase 2 content was enhanced after growth with either hydrogen and fumarate or glycerol and fumarate and correlated reasonably with cellular hydrogen uptake capacity. Hydrogenase 1 content was negligible under the above conditions but was enhanced by exogenous formate. Its expression was greatly reduced in a pfl mutant, which is unable to synthesise formate, but was restored to normal levels when the growth medium included formate. A mutation in the anaerobic regulatory gene, fnr, led to low overall hydrogenase activity and greatly reduced levels of both isoenzymes and abolished the formate enhancement of hydrogenase 1 content. Formate hydrogenlyase activity was similarly reduced in the fnr strain but, in contrast, was restored, as was overall hydrogenase activity, to normal levels by growth in the presence of formate. Low H2 uptake activity was found for the fnr strain under all growth conditions examined. Hydrogenase 1 content, therefore, does not correlate with formate hydrogenlyase activity and its role is unclear. A third hydrogenase isoenzyme, immunologically distinct from hydrogenases 1 and 2, whose expression is enhanced by formate, is present and forms part of the formate hydrogenlyase. We suggest that the effect of the fnr gene product on formate hydrogenlyase expression is mediated via internal formate.
Spontaneous induction of colicin E1 in Escherichia coli strains deficient in both exonucleases I and V
Authors: Bassett C L , Kushner S R
Published: January 2020

Colicin E1 synthesis is spontaneously induced in pRSF2124-carrying strains of Escherichia coli deficient in exonucleases I (sbcB) and V (recB recC). In contrast, the specific activity of beta-lactamase, which is also encoded by pRSF2124, is not affected by the absence of these enzymes. These results suggest that colicin E1 induction is specific and does not result either from a significant change in overall plasmid transcription or copy number. Furthermore, the level of spontaneous induction was similar to that obtained with mitomycin C.
Excretion of alkaline phosphatase by Escherichia coli K-12 pho constitutive mutants transformed with plasmids carrying the alkaline phosphatase structural gene
Authors: Lazzaroni J C , Atlan D , Portalier R C
Published: January 2020

Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase constitutive mutants carrying a pst or a phoS mutation and a plasmid-bearing gene phoA+ excreted into the growth medium up to 50% of the total alkaline phosphatase production. This excretion was pH dependent and did not involve drastic modifications of the cell envelope. Alkaline phosphatase accounted for 80% of total released proteins. Amplification of gene phoA+ was a necessary condition for excretion to occur. When the beta-lactamase structural gene bla+ was coamplified with gene phoA+, both enzymes were excreted. pst-transformed excretory strains did not show the pleiotrophic phenotype previously described for lky mutants.
ANTIBIOTIC PROPERTIES OF ACRYLIC ACID, A FACTOR IN THE GASTROINTESTINAL ANTIBIOSIS OF POLAR MARINE ANIMALS
Authors: Sieburth John McNeill
Published: January 2020

Sieburth, John McNeill
(Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Va.). Antibiotic properties of acrylic acid, a factor in the gastro-intestinal antibiosis of polar marine animals. J. Bacteriol.
82:
72–79. 1961.—Observations were made on acrylic acid to study some of the antibiotic, chemical, and physical properties of this volatile acid which occurs at a concentration of 8% (dry weight) in the marine alga
Phaeocystis pouchetii
. The sodium salt inhibited both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria by filter paper disc assays at concentrations of 0.012–12.0 mg/ml. Activity was enhanced by acid reactions approximating those of the avian gut. In an attempt to explain the absence of typical strains of
Escherichia coli
and the suppression of the atypical coliform microflora in the anterior gastrointestinal segments of pygoscelid penguins in areas where the phytoplankton was dominated by
P. pouchetii
, chick trials were conducted with sodium acrylate. Acrylate supplementation of chicken feed at levels as low as one-fifth (0.01%) of those estimated to be ingested by penguins under natural conditions, suppressed the
E. coli
population and permitted its partial replacement by
Aerobacter aerogenes
. This latter phenomenon was explained by an increase in acrylate resistance by the
A. aerogenes
population. Acrylate feed levels between 0.01 and 1.0% caused an apparent increase in the growth rate of chicks, whereas 10% levels caused anorexia and death.
METABOLISM OF ANIMAL CELLS INFECTED WITH MYCOPLASMA
Authors: Powelson Dorothy M.
Published: January 2020

Powelson, Dorothy
M. (Stanford Research Institute, Menlo Park, Calif.). Metabolism of animal cells infected with mycoplasma. J. Bacteriol.
82:
288–297. 1961.—The effect of pleuropneumonia-like organisms (PPLO) upon the metabolism of tissue cultures was tested by comparing the assimilation and accumulation of the amino acids in the medium during growth and maintenance of monolayers of mouse fibroblasts (L strain) and human bone marrow cells (Mox). This preliminary study indicates that PPLO do alter the amino acid metabolism of animal cells. The observed changes in metabolic patterns shown by the infected fibroblast cultures did not mirror the metabolic patterns of the PPLO in the medium alone. Different strains of animal cells showed different responses to one PPLO strain, and different strains of PPLO caused different responses in one strain of animal cells. The PPLO did not grow in the tissue culture medium (no. 199 plus 2% horse serum and 20 to 40 units of penicillin/ml) nor in spent culture fluids and rapidly died off at 37 C but survived for months at 4 C. The altered metabolism of the infected tissue cultures appeared to reflect a true host-parasite interaction.
LYSIS OF BRUCELLAE BY THE COMBINED ACTION OF GLYCINE AND A LYSOZYME-LIKE AGENT FROM RABBIT MONOCYTES
Authors: Ralston Doris J. , Baer B. S. , Elberg S. S.
Published: January 2020

Ralston, DorisJ. (University of California, Berkeley), B. S.Baer, and S. S. Elberg. Lysis of brucellae by the combined action of glycine and a lysozyme-like agent from rabbit monocytes. J. Bacteriol.82:342–353. 1961.—An acid-extractable lytic material was obtained from rabbit monocytes. It acts on a substrate in the walls of brucellae and has properties similar to egg-white lysozyme.Brucella melitensisstrain Rev Is is completely resistant to this agent and also to crystalline lysozyme, but when the cells are exposed to sufficient amounts of glycine, the surface is rendered susceptible to these lytic agents. Rough type Rev Is cells are more susceptible than smooth, and the virulentB. melitensisstrain 6015 is most resistant.
VARIATION OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS IN PERSISTENTLY INFECTED TISSUE CULTURES
Authors: Hinze Harry C. , Walker Duard L.
Published: January 2020

Hinze, HarryC. (University of Wisconsin, Madison),and Duard L. Walker. Variation of herpes simplex virus in persistently infected tissue cultures. J. Bacteriol.82:498–504. 1961.—Cultures of human conjunctiva, HeLa, and KB cells infected with herpes simplex virus (HF strain) were cultured for prolonged periods in medium containing low levels of antibody. After continuous culture of the infected cell lines for 6 months, two major changes were noted in the character of the virus present in the cultures. These changes consisted of an alteration in the type of cytopathic effect produced by the virus and marked loss of virulence for mice. Further study of the virus from the cultures revealed that it was still antigenically similar to the original strain of herpes virus. It was found that the variant produced an altered, proliferative type of cytopathic effect only in the presence of herpes antibody. The variant multiplied more slowly in human conjunctiva cells in culture than did the parent virus, and the variant had lost practically all capacity for multiplication in the brain of mice.
SUBCLINICAL INFECTION OF DOGS BY CANINE-ADAPTED MEASLES VIRUS EVIDENCED BY THEIR SUBSEQUENT IMMUNITY TO CANINE DISTEMPER VIRUS
Authors: Moura Roberto A. , Warren Joel
Published: January 2020

Moura, RobertoA. (Chas. Pfizer and Company, Inc., Terre Haute, Ind.)and Joel Warren. Subclinical infection of dogs by canine-adapted measles virus evidenced by their subsequent immunity to canine distemper virus. J. Bacteriol.82:702–705. 1961.—Young dogs were inoculated with virulent measles virus which had been adapted to canine kidney or human amnion cell culture. None of the animals showed any clinical symptoms nor could virus be isolated from the blood, although measles-neutralizing and complement-fixing antibodies developed during convalescence. All dogs failed to develop antibody to canine distemper. However, when these and normal control animals were subsequently inoculated intracerebrally with virulent distemper virus, each of the controls succumbed to typical symptoms, whereas all of the measles-immune dogs survived. These results suggest that the cross-protection conferred by measles against canine distemper virus infection involves factors other than humoral antibody. The immunity persists for a considerable length of time.
INTERFERENCE BETWEEN VIABLE STRAINS OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS
Authors: Durand D. P.
Published: January 2020

Durand
, D. P. (University of Missouri, Columbia). Interference between viable strains of Newcastle disease virus. J. Bacteriol.
82:
979–983. 1961.—Strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) which differed in their ability to produce plaques on monolayers of chicken embryo cells were studied during conditions of dual infection. Interference with NDV plaque formation by a nonplaque-forming NDV strain was observed. The primary mechanism involved with this type of interference appears to be due to the viable infectious virus, and is not associated with interferon production or the hemagglutinin of NDV.
CALCIUM DIPICOLINIC ACID-INDUCED GERMINATION OF
BACILLUS CEREUS
SPORES
Authors: Keynan A. , Halvorson H. O.
Published: January 2020

Keynan, A.
(University of Wisconsin, Madison)
and H. O. Halvorson
. Calcium dipicolinic acid-induced germination of
Bacillus cereus
spores. J. Bacteriol.
83:
100–105. 1962.—The germination of spores of
Bacillus cereus
strain T can be initiated by calcium dipicolinic acid. The kinetics of germination are characterized by a long lag period followed by a rapid loss of refractility. The lag period displays the temperature dependence of a metabolic reaction, whereas the rate of germination is relatively independent of temperature. Germination induced by calcium dipicolinic acid is insensitive to
l
-alanine analogues, is sensitive to metabolic poisons, and proceeds without a detectable activation stage. It was concluded that calcium dipicolinic acid-induced germination has a metabolic basis and differs, at least in its initial phases, from
l
-alanine-induced germination.
EFFECT OF 8-AZAGUANINE ON GROWTH AND VIABILITY OF
BACILLUS MEGATERIUM
Authors: Mangalo R. , Wachsman J. T.
Published: January 2020

Mangalo, R.
(University of Illinois, Urbana)
and J. T. Wachsman
. Effect of 8-azaguanine on growth and viability of
Bacillus megaterium
. J. Bacteriol.
83:
27–34. 1962.—The addition of 8-azaguanine to exponentially growing cells of
Bacillus megaterium
results in an inhibition of growth after a lag of approximately 30 min. However, 8-azaguanine-2-C
14
is incorporated into the nucleic acids in a linear fashion without a detectable lag. The inhibitory action is reversed by purines and their derivatives, but not by uridine, thymidine, or cytidine. 8-Azaguanine is bactericidal, especially under conditions where growth (ribonucleic acid synthesis) is possible. Growth in the presence of a complete amino acid mixture, either before or during exposure to 8-azaguanine, increases the rate of killing. Chloramphenicol has little or no effect on the bactericidal action of the analogue.
ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE SUDANOPHILIC GRANULES OF
SPHAEROTILUS NATANS
Authors: Rouf M. A. , Stokes J. L.
Published: January 2020

Rouf
, M. A. (Washington State University, Pullman)
and J. L. Stokes
. Isolation and identification of the sudanophilic granules of
Sphaerotilus natans
. J. Bacteriol.
83:
343–347. 1962.—The characteristic and prominent sudanophilic granules in five strains of
Sphaerotilus natans
were shown to be composed of poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid by the method of isolation, melting point determinations, and infrared absorption spectrum analyses. The polymer may account for 11.0 to 22.5% of the dry weight of the cells. It accumulates during active growth of
S. natans
and decreases sharply in amount after maximal growth. It accumulates to an equal extent in cultures with and without sheaths.
GLYCOLATE METABOLISM IN
ESCHERICHIA COLI
Authors: Hansen Robert W. , Hayashi James A.
Published: January 2020

Hansen, Robert
W. (University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago)
and James A. Hayashi
. Glycolate metabolism in
Escherichia coli
. J. Bacteriol.
83:
679–687. 1962.—This study of glycolate-adapted
Escherichia coli
indicates that the most probable route for utilization of the substrate includes glyceric acid, 3-phosphoglyceric acid, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. A glyceric acid dehydrogenase, which reduces tartronic semialdehyde to glycerate in the presence of reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide, and a kinase, which catalyzes the formation of 3-phosphoglycerate from glyceric acid and adenosine triphosphate, were shown to be present. Carbon recoveries in growing cultures and manometric data obtained with resting cells showed the complete oxidation of glycolate to carbon dioxide. Measurements of the oxidation of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates indicated that these compounds are oxidized without lag and at a rate commensurate with the rate of glycolate oxidation. Assays of the enzymes characteristic of known pathways of terminal oxidation, such as isocitratase, malate synthetase, isocitric dehydrogenase, and condensing enzyme, provided further evidence for an operating tricarboxylic acid cycle. A postulated pathway for the utilization of glycolic acid is as follows: glycolate → glycerate → 3-phosphoglycerate → pyruvate → tricarboxylic acid cycle.
ENERGY OF MAINTENANCE IN
ESCHERICHIA COLI
Authors: McGrew Sarah B. , Mallette M. F.
Published: January 2020

McGrew, Sarah
B. (Pennsylvania State University, University Park)
and M. F. Mallette
. Energy of maintenance in
Escherichia coli
. J. Bacteriol.
83:
844–850. 1962.—Relatively dense populations of
Escherichia coli
B in log phase were used to detect utilization of exogenous glucose for maintenance without growth. Turbidity at 400 mμ was used as the measure of growth, since it should reflect changes in either cell number or size. A threshold level of glucose was observed below which turbidity did not change during short-time experiments. Repeated additions of glucose during prolonged incubation at 37 C either increased the turbidity slowly or maintained it, depending on the amount of glucose. Plate counts to follow viability showed slow decreases for 10 days, while the unfed controls lost viability quite rapidly. From these results it was concluded that
E. coli
specifically utilized exogenous glucose for maintenance, without growth. The conflict of this opinion with that of earlier workers is discussed and some implications suggested.
PATHOGENESIS OF
COCCIDIOIDES IMMITIS
IN MONKEYS
Authors: Converse J. L. , Lowe E. P. , Castleberry M. W. , Blundell G. P. , Besemer A. R.
Published: January 2020

Converse
, J. L. (U. S. Army Chemical Corps, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.), E. P.
Lowe, M. W. Castleberry, G. P. Blundell, and A. R. Besemer
. Pathogenesis of
Coccidioides immitis
in monkeys. J. Bacteriol.
83:
871–878. 1962.—Respiratory exposure to arthrospores from the submerged growth of
Coccidioides immitis
, strain Cash, in liquid medium resulted in similar pathogenesis in monkeys to that of strain Silveira arthrospores harvested from solid medium. Infectivity of 100% was noted with doses of 50 to 10,000 arthrospores. The disease was characterized by loss of appetite and weight, malaise, and extreme respiratory distress accompanied by coughing, with the immediate cause of death being acute coccidioidal pneumonia. The pathological picture was one of extensive, progressive, destructive pulmonary disease in the higher dose levels and few, small, self-contained, fibrous lesions, with little destruction of lung tissue, in the low doses. This was correlated in general with the findings of serial X rays and serological tests. The presence of the parasitic phase (spherule and endospore) of the organism was noted in large numbers within the pulmonary lesions and bronchial exudates and was substantiated by cultural methods. Occasionally, hyphal elements of the saprophytic growth phase were noted around the periphery of residual cavitated areas of the lungs.
BASES OF THE NUCLEIC ACID OF FOWLPOX VIRUS AND HOST DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID
Authors: Randall Charles C. , Gafford Lanelle G. , Darlington Robert W.
Published: January 2020

Randall, Charles
C. (University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson),
Lanelle G. Gafford, and Robert W. Darlington
. Bases of the nucleic acid of fowlpox virus and host deoxyribonucleic acid. J. Bacteriol.
83:
1037–1041. 1962.—The nucleic acid of fowlpox virus obtained from purified inclusions was identified as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The base ratios determined on whole virus and on isolated DNA were practically identical. The molar ratios of purines to pyrimidines were approximately unity. The ratio of adenine plus thymine to guanine plus cytosine was 1.8.

The base ratios of DNA obtained from chick red cells were approximately the same as other animal DNA preparations reported in the literature. It is of interest that the molar proportions of host DNA are significantly different from viral DNA.
MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES PRODUCED BY A STRAIN OF
CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS
Authors: Izumi Kunihiko
Published: January 2020

Izumi, Kunihiko
(Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan). Mucopolysaccharides produced by a strain of
Clostridium perfringens
. J. Bacteriol.
83:
956–959. 1962.—A new series of mucopolysaccharides was isolated from the culture medium of
Clostridium perfringens
and partially purified by the use of a column of anion-exchange resin. A large part of the substance was composed of neutral sugars, amino sugars, uronic acids, and oligopeptides, suggesting a structure analogous to that of bacterial cell walls. Acidic amino acids, especially aspartic acid, were the main constituents of the oligopeptides. The substance exhibited high viscosity when dissolved in water. The degree of viscosity in each fraction seemed to depend on the content of amino sugars and the chain length of the oligopeptides.
PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OFCLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS“BURSTING FACTOR”
Authors: Fredette V. , Forget A. , Vinet G.
Published: January 2020

Fredette, V. (University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada), A.Forget, and G. Vinet. Production and characterization ofClostridium perfringens“bursting factor.” J. Bacteriol.83:1177–1182. 1962.—Virulent cultures ofClostridium perfringensin which none of the presently known toxic or enzymatic fractions could be detected either in vitro or in vivo were shown to contain “bursting factor.” This new antigen, although devoid of toxicity, exerts a triggerlike or aggressinlike action on washed perfringens bacilli, a characteristic which sets it apart from collagenase or kappa-toxin with which it could have been confused previously. Pathogenesis ofC. perfringensgas gangrene can therefore be explained more satisfactorily with the “bursting factor” than with any previously known fraction from the filtrates of these cultures.
NITROGENOUS COMPOUNDS IN GERMINATION AND POSTGERMINATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF
BACILLUS MEGATERIUM
SPORES
Authors: Levinson Hillel S. , Hyatt Mildred T.
Published: January 2020

Levinson, Hillel
S. (Quartermaster Research and Engineering Center, Natick, Mass.)
and Mildred T. Hyatt
. Nitrogenous compounds in germination and postgerminative development of
Bacillus megaterium
spores. J. Bacteriol.
83:
1224–1230. 1962.—Of the 48 inorganic and organic nitrogenous compounds tested, only
l
-alanine, glucosamine, and
N
-acetylglucosamine promote germination of unheated spores of
Bacillus megaterium
. Heated spores also germinate in nitrate, nitrite,
l
-cysteine,
dl
-isoleucine,
l
-leucine,
dl
-methionine,
dl
-norleucine,
l
-proline and
l
-valine.

A source of nitrogen is required for postgerminative development, but nitrogenous compounds which effect germination do not necessarily support postgerminative development. Nitrogenous compounds which support postgerminative development include (NH
4
)
2
SO
4
, nitrates,
d
-alanine,
l
-alanine,
l
-arginine,
l
-asparagine,
l
-aspartic and
l
-glutamic acids, glutamine,
l
-proline, adenine, adenosine, and guanosine. Oxygen consumption rates during postgerminative development are different with different nitrogen sources, and these rates, in general, reflect the extent of postgerminative development. Utilization of amino and ammonium nitrogen during postgerminative development was followed, and the concentration requirements were determined (ca 10 m
m
for at least one cell division of 5 × 10
8
spores). Inhibitor studies on postgerminative development are included.
RAPID LETHAL EFFECT IN RATS OF A THIRD COMPONENT FOUND UPON FRACTIONATING THE TOXIN OF
BACILLUS ANTHRACIS
Authors: Beall Francis A. , Taylor Martha J. , Thorne Curtis B.
Published: January 2020

Beall, Francis
A. (U.S. Army Chemical Corps, Frederick, Md.),
Martha J. Taylor, and Curtis B. Thorne
. Rapid lethal effect in rats of a third component found upon fractionating the toxin of
Bacillus anthracis
. J. Bacteriol.
83:
1274–1280. 1962.—Rats were found to be more susceptible to the lethal effect of toxin produced by
Bacillus anthracis
in vitro than were several species considered less resistant to anthrax. Rats were killed much faster by less toxin per gram of body weight than were mice. Guinea pigs survived doses of toxin that killed rats. Intravenous injection of Fischer 344 rats is a rapid test for lethal activity, which facilitates the demonstration of two components, different from protective antigen, in toxin. One of these, a lethal factor, was separated from the other component, which causes cutaneous edema in the guinea pig. The latter component was not necessary for lethal effect. Neither of these factors was active unless combined with protective antigen. Although the guinea pig skin reaction has been used routinely to assay the toxicity of samples, the present results show that this test does not assay the lethal component.
LOCALIZATION OF ENZYMES IN THE MYCELIUM AND MICROCONIDIA OF
FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM
Authors: Maruyama Yoshiharu , Alexander Martin
Published: January 2020

Maruyama, Yoshiharu
(Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.)
and Martin Alexander
. Localization of enzymes in the mycelium and microconidia of
Fusarium oxysporum
. J. Bacteriol.
84:
307–312. 1962—Extracts prepared from mycelium and microconidia of
Fusarium oxysporum
f.
cubense
were fractionated into a soluble and four particulate fractions by differential centrifugation, and the distribution of several enzymes in the isolated cell constituents was examined. Succinic dehydrogenase, cytochrome oxidase, and a large amount of the reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPNH) cytochrome
c
reductase and reduced triphosphopyridine nucleotide cytochrome
c
reductase were associated with one of the particulate fractions prepared from the hyphae; fumarase and DPNH oxidase activities were largely found in the soluble and in a second particulate fraction. The highest recovery and concentration of diphosphopyridine nucleotidase was observed to be bound to a third type of hyphal granule. Aldolase, aconitase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and uricase were recovered entirely with the soluble mycelium constituents. Similar enzyme-distribution patterns were observed in microconidia. Several enzymatic activities of the mycelial extracts were compared with those in the extracts of microconidia.
EFFECTS OF MAGNESIUM ION DEFICIENCY ON
ESCHERICHIA COLI
AND POSSIBLE RELATION TO THE MODE OF ACTION OF NOVOBIOCIN
Authors: Brock Thomas D.
Published: January 2020

Brock, Thomas
D. (Indiana University, Bloomington). Effects of magnesium ion deficiency on
Escherichia coli
and possible relation to the mode of action of novobiocin. J. Bacteriol.
84:
679–682. 1962.—Cells of
Escherichia coli
ML35 grew in magnesium-deficient medium at an arithmetic rate for 4 to 5 hr. In the later stages of this period, the viability of the cells decreased, ribonucleic acid was lost, and the cells became able to hydrolyze
o
-nitro-phenyl-β-
d
-galactoside at a much increased rate. Further, the cells became filamentous and stained less intensely with methylene blue. Since magnesium ions are known to stabilize cell membranes, the changes are interpreted as due to alterations in membrane integrity. Novobiocin induced the same changes as magnesium ion deficiency, providing further support for the hypothesis that novobiocin acts by inducing a magnesium ion deficiency.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN ENDOTOXIN ASSOCIATED WITH LOSS OF BIOLOGICAL POTENCY
Authors: Ribi Edgar , Haskins Willard T. , Milner Kelsey C. , Anacker Robert L. , Ritter Daniel B. , Goode Granville , Trapani Robert-John , Landy Maurice
Published: January 2020

Ribi, Edgar(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratory, Hamilton, Mont.),Willard T. Haskins, Kelsey C. Milner, Robert L. Anacker, Daniel B. Ritter, Granville Goode, Robert-John Trapani, and Maurice Landy. Physicochemical changes in endotoxin associated with loss of biological potency. J. Bacteriol.84:803–814. 1962.—The preparation of endotoxins whose gross chemical composition approached that of refined polysaccharide haptenes raised anew the question of which features of composition and structure are essential for their characteristic host reactivity. Alterations in the physicochemical, immunochemical, and biological properties ofSalmonella enteritidisendotoxin subjected to hydrolysis with 0.1nacetic acid were therefore investigated to relate physical characteristics to biological attributes. As hydrolysis proceeded, the decline in biological potency was paralleled by dissociation of endotoxin into particles of the size of haptenic polysaccharide. The potency still present at various stages of hydrolysis could be accounted for by residual undissociated endotoxin. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that a macromolecular complex of critical size is one of the major requirements for endotoxin to elicit its characteristic effects in the mammalian host.
ENHANCEMENT OF THE PLAQUE-FORMING CAPACITY OF POLIOVIRUS RIBONUCLEIC ACID WITH BASIC PROTEINS
Authors: Smull Christine E. , Ludwig Ernest H.
Published: January 2020

Smull, Christine
E. (The Pennsylvania State University, University Park)
and Ernest H. Ludwig
. Enhancement of the plaque-forming capacity of poliovirus ribonucleic acid with basic proteins. J. Bacteriol.
84:
1035–1040. 1962.—The addition of appropriate amounts of either of two basic proteins to poliovirus ribonucleic acid (RNA) preparations was found to increase markedly the infectivity of the RNA for HeLa cells. These two basic proteins are histone (calf thymus nuclei) and protamine (salmine and clupine). The histone was found to be most effective when used in a final concentration of 200 to 400 μg per ml, and the protamine at approximately 600 μg per ml. The increase in infectivity was brought about in isotonic sodium chloride solution and at neutral pH. An analysis of the period allowed for adsorption of histone-RNA preparations revealed that the greatest increase in infectivity occurred when adsorption was allowed to take place at 4 C for approximately 5 min. An inhibitor of poliovirus RNA infectivity was found in saline washings of the HeLa-cell monolayers, and it was felt that decreased formation or activity of this substance, at 4 C, might account for the increased infectivity of the RNA at 4 C. The addition of RNA and histone to the cell monolayers at separate times resulted in almost no infectivity. The large increase in infectivity was brought about when the RNA and histone were mixed together prior to inoculation on the cell monolayers. A number of other basic materials and two other proteins were found not to increase the infectivity of poliovirus RNA.
CHARACTERISTICS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL PATTERNS ACCOMPANYING GROWTH LIMITATION
Authors: Baarda I. F. , Lockhart W. R.
Published: January 2020

Baarda
, I. F. (Iowa State University, Ames)
and W. R. Lockhart
. Characteristics and significance of the physiological patterns accompanying growth limitation. J. Bacteriol.
84:
1085–1093. 1962.—The physiological characteristics of several related strains of
Escherichia coli
were studied during the transition from exponential growth to stationary phase in defined media with limiting concentrations of the carbon or nitrogen source. The metabolic changes typical of this transition, which often are set in motion before exhaustion of the limiting nutrient has occurred, appear to consist of a series of shifts in the relative emphasis placed on competing reaction sequences leading, respectively, to cell division, protoplasmic synthesis, or cell maintenance. This process of biochemical differentiation has characteristic patterns which are qualitatively distinct for particular limiting nutrients and quantitatively different among strains. Correlation of specific metabolic patterns with the characteristic values of certain growth constants for each strain permits hypotheses concerning the physiological significance of these constants.
FINE STRUCTURE OF
MYXOCOCCUS XANTHUS
DURING MORPHOGENESIS
Authors: Voelz Herbert , Dworkin Martin
Published: January 2020

Voelz, Herbert
(Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis)
and Martin Dworkin
. Fine structure of
Myxococcus xanthus
during morphogenesis. J. Bacteriol.
84:
943–952. 1962.—This investigation concerns the nature of the structural changes in
Myxococcus xanthus
during cellular morphogenesis. These changes have been investigated by means of electromicrographs of thin sections of cells taken during various stages of the life cycle. The conversion of vegetative cells to microcysts involves the formation of a capsule but no drastic reorganization of the limiting cell membranes. Vacuoles appear in the cell during microcyst formation and germination. Microcyst germination involves a separation of the inner cell and the outer sheath, followed by the dissolution of a segment of the outer sheath and the emergence of the cell. Dense bodies within the cytoplasm and peripheral bodies between the two limiting membranes have been observed.
TRYPTOPHANASE-TRYPTOPHAN SYNTHETASE SYSTEMS INESCHERICHIA COLIII
Authors: Freundlich Martin , Lichstein Herman C.
Published: January 2020

Freundlich, Martin(University of Minnesota, Minneapolis)and Herman C. Lichstein. Tryptophanase-tryptophan synthetase systems inEscherichia coli. II. Effect of glucose. J. Bacteriol.84:988–995. 1962.—The effect of glucose and other compounds on the formation of tryptophanase and tryptophan synthetase inEscherichia coliwas examined. Although most of these compounds were potent inhibitors of the synthesis of tryptophanase, they invariably increased the formation of tryptophan synthetase. The severity of tryptophanase inhibition depended upon the degree of utilization of the compound by the growing bacterial cells. It was found that high levels of tryptophan overcame by 40% the repression caused by glucose. The stimulatory effect of glucose on tryptophan synthetase formation inE. coli9723E could be duplicated by indole-3-propionic acid. A study of the amino acid pool ofE. coli9723E revealed no free tryptophan in cells harvested from the basal medium containing glucose. In contrast, cells grown in the absence of glucose possessed a measurable amount of this amino acid. The possible mechanisms of the effect of glucose and related compounds on tryptophanase and tryptophan synthetase formation, as well as the relationship of these effects to the metabolic control of tryptophan metabolism, are discussed.
AMINO ACID CROSS RESISTANCE IN
AGROBACTERIUM TUMEFACIENS
Authors: Beardsley Robert E.
Published: January 2020

Beardsley, Robert
E. (Manhattan College, New York, N. Y.). Amino acid cross resistance in
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
. J. Bacteriol.
84:
1237–1240. 1962.—Resistant clones selected on medium supplemented with glycine were also resistant to
d
-methionine,
d
-valine,
dl
-norleucine, and
dl
-serine. Cross resistance was similarly exhibited by clones selected on
d
-methionine,
d
-valine, or
dl
-norleucine. Two types of resistant organisms were observed. One produced colonies containing normal rods on selection medium. The other produced translucent colonies containing L forms. Both grew as typical rods in unsupplemented medium. Some resistant clones did not produce a temperate phage carried by the parental strain, but these retained immunity to homologous phage. The toxicity of
d
-methionine and
d
-valine for nonresistant bacteria is not reversed by the
l
isomers. The lethal effects of toxic amino acids are additive.
RABBIT HEART CELL CULTURE, STRAIN RHF-1 II. 1to4
Authors: Ankudas Milda M. , Khoobyarian Newton
Published: January 2020

Ankudas, MildaM. (University of Illinois, Chicago)and Newton Khoobyarian. Rabbit heart cell cultures, strain RHF-1. II. Behavior of adenovirus types 1 to 4. J. Bacteriol.84:1287–1291. 1962.—In general, the findings indicate that adsorption to RHF-1 cells of adenovirus types 1, 2, and 4, but not type 3, precedes the events leading toward virus multiplication. Adenovirus type 3 attained maximal adsorption (90%) in 2 hr, with no evidence of virus multiplication. Under optimal conditions in the present experiments, the type 1 virus appeared to be released from the infected cells at a much slower rate than types 2 and 4. No correlation seemed to exist between the extent of cytopathic changes produced by type 1 in RHF-1 cells and the rise in virus infectivity during the logarithmic phase. On the other hand, the progression of cytopathic effect of type 2- and type 4-infected cells appeared to be a direct result of virus propagation. Further-more, the relative yield of virus per host cell, though small in quantity, was more or less similar for all three types. Histopathologically, no marked difference among the cells infected with types 1, 2, and 4 was clearly evident. Upon serial subculturing of these viruses in RHF-1 cells, a concomitant decrease in infectious virus, as well as complement-fixing antigen titers at each passage level, was also noted.
STUDIES ON
COCCIDIOIDES IMMITIS
II
Authors: Brooks Lula D. , Northey William T.
Published: January 2020

Brooks, Lula
D. (Arizona State University, Tempe)
and William T. Northey
. Studies on
Coccidioides immitis
. II. Physiological studies on in vitro spherulation. J. Bacteriol.
85:
12–15. 1963.—Studies on the amino acids assayed in Edamine revealed that the amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, in addition to the amino acid derivatives dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), epinephrine, tyramine monohydrochloride (tyramine HCl), and pyrocatechol play an important role in the
Coccidioides immitis
conversion process. In the presence of phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, DOPA, pyrocatechol, dextrose, and biotin, conversion as well as maturation was demonstrated. However, in epinephrine and tyramine HCl combinations, conversion occurred without maturation of the spherules. The availability of increased amounts of melanin precursors is suggested as a possible explanation for the increased susceptibility of the dark-skinned races to disseminated coccidioidomycosis. Conversion and maturation were also noted when lactic and fumaric acids served as carbon sources. The conversion of a limited number of arthrospores to spherules and their subsequent maturation in the presence of only phenol and biotin suggest the possibility that the key to the
C. immitis
conversion process lies in the availability of certain ring structures.
STUDIES ON IMMUNITY IN ANTHRAX XI
Authors: Puziss Milton , Howard Mary B.
Published: January 2020

Puziss, Milton(Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.)and Mary B. Howard. Studies on immunity in anthrax. XI. Control of cellular permeability by bicarbonate ion in relation to protective antigen elaboration. J. Bacteriol.85:237–243. 1963.—No elaboration ofBacillus anthracisprotective antigen was demonstrated after addition of bicarbonate to cultures incubated 42 hr in a bicarbonate-free medium. Antigen accumulation in culture filtrates was greater if the bicarbonate was added to these cultures early in the growth period. Cell-free extracts of washed cell suspensions, prepared by hand grinding or lysozyme treatment, had no demonstrable intracellular protective antigen. Sonic treatment released antigen in measurable amounts, but tended to destroy or degrade the labile antigen. Freezing and thawing disrupted the cells and liberated the antigen; protective antigen was shown to be of internal rather than of extracellular origin. Maximal intracellular antigen concentration occurred before the peak concentration was reached in the culture filtrates. Antigen also was found in cell extracts from bicarbonate-free culture media when none was present in the corresponding culture filtrates. A high level of internal protective antigen was present in cells grown in a bicarbonate-free medium maintained at a constantly alkaline pH; only a trace of antigen was present in the corresponding pH-adjusted culture filtrate. The hypothesis is presented that bicarbonate functions to control cellular permeability and release of antigen from the cells into the ambient medium.
FORMATION OF MONOTHETIC GROUPS IN QUANTITATIVE BACTERIAL TAXONOMY
Authors: Lockhart W. R. , Hartman P. A.
Published: January 2020

Lockhart
, W. R. (Department of Bacteriology, Iowa State University, Ames)
and P. A. Hartman
. Formation of monothetic groups in quantitative bacterial taxonomy. J. Bacteriol.
85:
68–77. 1963.—Previous applications of quantitative methods to bacterial classification have resulted in polythetic groupings in which no organism necessarily has all the features characteristic of its group, and no single property is necessarily possessed by every member of a group. Such classifications are not altogether analogous to present taxonomies, and (since the possible groups are not mutually exclusive) hence cannot be evaluated completely by computer methods. A technique is presented for formation of hierarchical monothetic groups in which the criterion for addition of each new member is the possession of an array of properties common to all organisms already in the group. These monothetic relationships among individuals are expressed in terms of cumulative difference, which is linearly related to the taxonomic distance (a function of similarity ratio) of polythetic classifications. Monothetic groupings obtained for 50 representative microorganisms were essentially similar to the polythetic groups evaluated by earlier methods. The necessary computation is suitable for analyzing relationships among large numbers of organisms.
FIBRINOGEN CLOTTING AND FIBRINO-PEPTIDE FORMATION BY STAPHYLOCOAGULASE AND THE COAGULASE-REACTING FACTOR
Authors: Drummond Margaret C. , Tager Morris
Published: January 2020

Drummond, Margaret
C. (Emory University, Atlanta, Ga.)
and Morris Tager
. Fibrinogen clotting and fibrino-peptide formation by staphylocoagulase and the coagulase-reacting factor. J. Bacteriol.
85:
628–635. 1963.—The mechanism of fibrinogen clotting by staphylocoagulase and the coagulase-reacting factor (CRF) was studied from the standpoint of the products of the reaction, and compared with thrombin clotting of fibrinogen. Both clotting principles effect clotting with the release of nonprotein nitrogenous material, which can be resolved into three peptides by Dowex-50 chromatography. On the basis of the sedimentation constants, electrophoretic mobilities, and end-group analyses of these peptides, it appears that the products of fibrinogen clotting by coagulase-CRF and by thrombin are similar.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A STRAIN OFSTAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUSGROWN IN VIVO AND IN VITRO
Authors: Beining Paul R. , Kennedy E. R.
Published: January 2020

Beining, PaulR. (The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.)and E. R. Kennedy. Characteristics of a strain ofStaphylococcus aureusgrown in vivo and in vitro. J. Bacteriol.85:732–741. 1963.—A comparative survey was conducted on the characteristics of a strain ofStaphylococcus aureusafter it had been grown in vitro (VSB) and after it had been collected from the peritoneal exudate of an infected guinea pig (GSB). Both VSB and GSB strains gave the same results when studied in an extensive series of tests, including bound and soluble coagulases, bacteriophage type, antibiotic-sensitivity pattern, the usual fermentation reactions, deoxyribonucleic acid base composition, and qualitative tests for hemolysins, deoxyribonuclease, ribonuclease, staphylokinase, staphyloprotease, lipase, and phosphatase. The in vivo strain differed significantly from the in vitro strain in respiratory rate, agar gel diffusion studies, agglutinability in tube tests, virulence tests in rabbits and mice, growth on tellurite-glycine agar, susceptibility to human γ-globulin in agar, and in the quantitative production of deoxyribonuclease, α-hemolysin, leucocidin, and hyaluronidase.
ISOLATION OF ENTEROVIRUSES FROM THE “NORMAL” BABOON (PAPIO DOGUERA)
Authors: Fuentes-Marins R. , Rodriguez A. R. , Kalter S. S. , Hellman A. , Crandell R. A.
Published: January 2020

Fuentes-Marins, R. (Southwest Foundation for Research and Education, San Antonio, Texas), A. R.Rodriguez, S. S. Kalter, A. Hellman, and R. A. Crandell. Isolation of enteroviruses from the “normal” baboon (Papio doguera). J. Bacteriol.85:1045–1050. 1963.—In a study designed to determine whether the baboon (Papio doguera) would be suitable for use as a model of human virus infections, the normal enterovirus flora was determined. Five agents were isolated from 101 stool samples: four from the African group and one from the African-African group. None of the stool samples from the Domestic group of animals was found to contain any agents. On the basis of their biological characterizations (animal source, cytopathic effect, plaque formation, and antigenic relationships), the isolates were separated into two groups. Accordingly, prototype strains AA153 and A13 were designated for the African-African and African groups, respectively. These viruses have not been found to be related to any known human viruses. Their relationship to organisms isolated from other animals, especially primates, awaits study. The failure to detect latent viruses in preparations of baboon kidney cell cultures suggests a relatively “clean” animal which may be used with safety in preparation of vaccine for human administration.