bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ELECTRON-TRANSPORT COMPONENTS OF STREPTOMYCIN-DEPENDENT
ESCHERICHIA COLI
Authors: Bragg P. D. , Polglase W. J.
Published: January 2020

Bragg
, P. D. (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B. C, Canada)
and W. J. Polglase
. Electron-transport components of streptomycin-dependent
Escherichia coli
. J. Bacteriol.
86:
544–547. 1963.—When a streptomycin-dependent strain of
Escherichia coli
was grown in antibiotic-free medium, the resulting streptomycin-depleted cells were found to contain relatively large amounts of vitamin K
2
. Cytochromes
a
1
and
a
2
were absent from depleted cells, and these cells metabolized glucose with the accumulation of lactic acid. Depleted cells were normal in their content of coenzyme Q
8
, total flavine, and cytochrome
b
. Growth of depleted cells on medium containing dihydrostreptomycin restored their ability to metabolize lactic acid concomitantly with a decrease in vitamin K
2
to a normal level, and with the formation of cytochromes
a
1
and
a
2
. It is concluded that streptomycin (or dihydrostreptomycin) is required by dependent
E. coli
for maintenance of the integrity of the electron-transport system.
INHIBITORY ACTION OF PHAGE K ON STAPHYLOCOCCAL DEHYDROGENASES I
Authors: Ralston D. J. , Baer B. S.
Published: January 2020

Ralston
, D. J. (University of California, Berkeley)
and B. S. Baer
. Inhibitory action of phage K on staphylococcal dehydrogenases. I. Effect on various strains of
Staphylococcus aureus
, including members of the phage-typing series. J. Bacteriol.
86:
666–672. 1963.—The polyvalent phage K was found to depress the dehydrogenase activities of a large number of
Staphylococcus aureus
strains, as measured by the reduction of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride to the insoluble red formazan. The inhibition occurred immediately after the absorption of a multiplicity of phage particles, and was independent of the infectibility of the strains and of the killing ability of the phage. It appeared to be closely associated with the phenomenon of sensitization—a change in the cell surface which increased the susceptibility of the wall to digestion by soluble staphylococcal lysins and simultaneously abolished the capacity to synthesize phage. The inhibitory effect occurred both in nutrient media and in a nongrowth glucose - phosphate buffer supplemented with cysteine.
INHIBITORY ACTION OF PHAGE K ON STAPHYLOCOCCAL DEHYDROGENASES II
Authors: Ralston D. J. , Perry M. D.
Published: January 2020

Ralston
, D. J. (University of California, Berkeley)
and M. D. Perry
. Inhibitory action of phage K on staphylococcal dehydrogenases. II. Its possible relationship to sensitization and cell lysis. J. Bacteriol.
86:
740–748. 1963.—By measuring the reduction of the dye triphenyl tetrazolium chloride to the insoluble red formazan, an analysis was made of the inhibition by phage K of the dehydrogenase capacity of populations of
Staphylococcus aureus
K
1
, to determine to what extent this might be associated with the ability of phage K to sensitize the cells—a reaction characterized by the conversion of the cell wall to susceptibility to lysis by the staphylococcal enzyme, virolysin. Increasing multiplicities of phage progressively increased the fractions of sensitized cells and also caused increasing inhibition of the dehydrogenase activity of the populations. The dehydrogenase activities of the sensitized fractions were compared with those of the nonsensitized fractions. Over a wide range of phage-bacterium ratios, the dehydrogenase activities of the sensitized fractions were found to be lower than those of the nonsensitized fractions. Microscopically, this was reflected by the appearance of large numbers of cells with a reduced amount of visible formazan granules. When lysin was added to the phage-treated cells, lysis occurred mainly from cell fractions which possessed little or no tetrazolium-reducing capacity. The data indicated that sensitization by phage was accompanied by a marked decrease in cellular dehydrogenase activity but was not associated with a complete inhibition of these enzymes. A comparison was made between the dehydrogenases of phage-sensitized cells and cells found to be “spontaneously” sensitive to virolysin, i.e., lysed by the enzyme without any prior exposure to phage. Like phage-sensitized cells, the spontaneously sensitized staphylococci possessed low dehydrogenase activity and lacked the capacity to support phage synthesis. In tests of a given cell preparation, the dehydrogenase levels of the phage-sensitized fractions were found to be close to, or even lower than, the level of the spontaneously sensitized fraction, suggesting that in
S. aureus
K
1
the sensitized state is associated in some manner with a reduction of the dehydrogenase activity to a critical level. There is as yet no evidence for any direct causal relationship between sensitization and dehydrogenase inhibition.
EFFECT OF ETHAMBUTOL ON CYTOLOGY OFMYCOBACTERIUM SMEGMATIS
Authors: Gale Glen R. , McLain Helen H.
Published: January 2020

Gale, GlenR. (Veterans Administration Hospital, Durham, N.C.)and Helen H. McLain. Effect of ethambutol on cytology ofMycobacterium smegmatis. J. Bacteriol.86:749–756. 1963.—Electron microscopy showed the effects of the antimycobacterial drug, ethambutol [d-2,2′-(ethylenediimino)-di-1-butanol], on the cytology ofMycobacterium smegmatis. After 10 hr of exposure to the drug, cells no longer contained material which, in control cells, was closely associated with cellular division, possibly genetic substance. No marked changes were observed in other cellular structures. It was concluded that the drug may block one or more steps in the synthesis of pentose nucleic acid or deoxypentose nucleic acid, ultimately causing cessation of cellular division and loss of viability. These cytological findings were compatible with results of other investigators on the mode of action of this drug.
IMMUNOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF HUMAN ORAL STRAINS OFFUSOBACTERIUMANDLEPTOTRICHIA
Authors: De Araujo Wilson C. , Varah Eileen , Mergenhagen Stephan E.
Published: January 2020

de Araujo, WilsonC. (National Institute of Dental Research, Bethesda, Md.),Eileen Varah, and Stephan E. Mergenhagen. Immunochemical analysis of human oral strains ofFusobacteriumandLeptotrichia. J. Bacteriol.86:837–844. 1963.—Lipopolysaccharides, isolated by phenol-water extraction of 27 strains of oral gram-negative bacteria conforming either toFusobacterium polymorphumorLeptotrichia buccalis, were shown to be endotoxic by their ability to alter dermal reactivity to epinephrine and to be serologically specific by hemagglutination and hemagglutination-inhibition tests. Numerous serotypes of these organisms were detected by hemagglutination tests with purified lipopolysaccharides. AF. polymorphumlipopolysaccharide produced two visible precipitin bands in agar gel with antiserum prepared against the homologous organism. Each of the immunologically distinct components of the endotoxin, isolated by differential centrifugation, altered dermal reactivity to epinephrine and acted as a hapten in hemagglutination tests. Crude antigens fromF. polymorphumstrains, released in supernatant fluids of heat-killed bacterial suspensions, showed broad serological cross-reactivity with antiserum prepared against homologous and heterologous strains ofF. polymorphumbut not with antiserum prepared againstL. buccalisstrains. Broad serological cross-reactivity of these crudeF. polymorphumantigens could be eliminated by prior treatment with phenol or trypsin, indicating that the common antigen or antigens in these organisms are protein. Double-diffusion tests in agar identified and differentiated type-specific lipopolysaccharide from other antigens extracted by heat from these organisms. Similarly prepared crude antigens fromL. buccalishad broad serological activity with antiserum prepared against various strains ofL. buccalisbut not withF. polymorphum. In contrast to the crude antigens fromF. polymorphum, this serological cross-reactivity could not be eliminated by treatment with phenol or trypsin.
PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON HERPESVIRUS
Authors: Smith Kendall O.
Published: January 2020

Smith, KendallO. (Baylor University College of Medicine, Houston, Texas). Physical and biological observations on herpesvirus. J. Bacteriol.86:999–1009. 1963.—The development of herpesvirus in human lung fibroblasts was studied by plaque assays and physical particle counts. Approximately 200 infectious units and 60,000 particles were produced by single cells during a single growth cycle. Production of physically recognizable particles preceded infectious virus particle production by about 5 to 6 hr, suggesting the occurrence of a maturation process during formation. Aggregation of particles in clusters and chains was observed in many cases. One of the mechanisms for this aggregation was the connection of particles by deoxyribonucleic acid strands. These strands appeared to connect some particles in a way that suggests a structural continuity between their cores.
PSITTACOSIS-INFECTED CELL SYSTEM FOR STUDIES ON RADIATION DAMAGE
Authors: Sharon Nehama , Pollard Morris , Klemm W. R.
Published: January 2020

Sharon, Nehama
(University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind.),
Morris Pollard, and W. R. Klemm
. Psittacosis-infected cell system for studies on radiation damage. J. Bacteriol.
86:
1139–1144. 1963.—The unique replication pattern of the agent of psittacosis in cells provides a means for studying biological effects of radiation and the influence of radioprotective drugs on this cell virus system. Intracellular psittacosis virus (strain TT) showed a distinctive sensitivity to X irradiation at 3 to 9 hr after onset of infection. This sensitivity to X rays disappeared later in the replication cycle when the virus-orientated ribonucleic acid matrix appeared in the infected cell. The effect of X rays was on the early stages of the virus, since evidence of subsequent developmental stages could not be observed. During the sensitive stage, the amount of surviving virus was related to the dose of X rays. Irradiation caused an irreversible reaction on sensitive virus. The progeny of surviving virus were unaltered in susceptibility to X rays. Addition of glutathione to infected cultures before irradiation increased the amount of surviving virus. Cysteine·HCl and heat-inactivated calf serum were only protective to the virus. Cysteamine was toxic to the cells, and low concentrations gave no protection. Other compounds tested failed to protect the viral agent against the effect of X rays.
VIRULENCE OFESCHERICHIA-SHIGELLAGENETIC HYBRIDS FOR THE GUINEA PIG
Authors: Falkow Stanley , Schneider H. , Baron L. S. , Formal Samuel B.
Published: January 2020

Falkow, Stanley(Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, D.C.), H.Schneider, L. S. Baron, and S. B. Formal. Virulence ofEscherichia-Shigellahybrids for the guinea pig. J. Bacteriol.86:1251–1258. 1963.—Genetic recombination studies between donorEscherichia coliand recipientShigella flexneri2a strains were employed to examine alterations in the virulence ofShigellahybrids for guinea pigs. The genetic studies indicated that several chromosomal regions ofE. coliandS. flexneriare grossly homologous. The frequency of recombination betweenE. coliandShigellawas decreased, however, in comparison withE. coli×E. colimatings. Moreover, the predominantShigellahybrid classes acquired only the selected genetic marker, and extensive transfer of theEscherichiagenome was detected only occasionally. The virulence studies made use of hybrids with well-defined single markers as well as those with overlapping chromosomal regions. Analysis of over one-half of the chromosome revealed only one chromosomal region, located between therha+andxyl+genes, which was essential for virulence. However, hybrids which had received theE. colipili antigen andfuc+-nic+determinants exhibited an intermediate virulence. Hybrids carrying a full complement ofShigellagenes and therha+-xyl+Escherichiaregion as a persistent exogenote (partial diploids) were of intermediate virulence. These partial diploids may return to complete virulence by elimination of theEscherichiachromosomal fragment or become avirulent by incorporation of this fragment.
BIOSYNTHESIS OF RIBOSE AND DEOXYRIBOSE IN
PSEUDOMONAS SACCHAROPHILA
Authors: Fossitt Dexter D. , Bernstein I. A.
Published: January 2020

Fossitt, Dexter
D. (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor),
and I. A. Bernstein
. Biosynthesis of ribose and deoxyribose in
Pseudomonas saccharophila
. J. Bacteriol.
86:
1326–1331. 1963.—The biosynthesis of ribose and deoxyribose in
Pseudomonas saccharophila
was studied by radioisotope-tracer techniques. Patterns of C
14
in ribose isolated from the nucleic acids of cells grown on labeled glucose suggested that pentose was made by the pathway involving transaldolase and transketolase. When cells were grown on radioactive gluconate, the tracer patterns indicated the possibility of a new pathway for the biosynthesis of ribose. Isotopic patterns in deoxyribose, in general, were consistent with the pathway involving reduction of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides. Certain aspects of the data, however, were not explained by this known pathway.
FORMATE—PYRUVATE EXCHANGE REACTION INSTREPTOCOCCUS FAECALISII
Authors: Oster M. O. , Wood N. P.
Published: January 2020

Oster, M. O. (A. & M. College of Texas, College Station),and N. P. Wood. Formate-pyruvate exchange reaction inStreptococcus faecalis. II. Reaction conditions for cell extracts. J. Bacteriol.87:104–113. 1964.—In contrast to intact cells ofStreptococcus faecalis, no stimulation of the formate-pyruvate exchange reaction was observed in cell extracts when yeast extract was added to the reaction mixture. A heated extract ofMicrococcus lactilyticus, vitamin K5, ferrous sulfate, and ferrous ammonium sulfate stimulated an active exchange by protecting the system from oxygen. Tetrahydrofolate, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol, and sodium sulfide provided partial protection, whereas ascorbate, glutathione, sodium hydrosulfite, ammonium sulfide, and sodium bisulfite gave insufficient protection or were inhibitory. Oxidation-reduction (O-R) indicators were not inhibitory and were used to estimate the O-R potentials of reaction mixtures. A potential at least as negative as −125 mv was estimated to be necessary to preserve or initiate formate-pyruvate exchange activity. The reaction operated over a narrow pH range when strict anaerobic conditions were not maintained but, when the system was suitably poised, the pH range was broader. The influence of high phosphate concentrations was less under strictly anaerobic conditions, and orthophosphate could be replaced by small amounts of pyrophosphate. Effect of temperature, time, and amount of extract is presented. Addition of reduced benzyl viologen and hydrogen-saturated palladium in the buffer during 8 hr of dialysis prevented inactivation of extracts. Recovery of activity could be obtained after ammonium sulfate treatment when a combination of palladium chloride, neutral red, and hydrogen bubbling were used.
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF
BACILLUS POPILLIAE
Authors: Sylvester Charles J. , Costilow Ralph N.
Published: January 2020

Sylvester, Charles
J. (Michigan State University, East Lansing),
and Ralph N. Costilow
. Nutritional requirements of
Bacillus popilliae
. J. Bacteriol.
87:
114–119. 1964.—
Bacillus popilliae
grew consistently well in a semisynthetic medium containing a “vitamin-free,” salt-free, acid hydrolysate of casein supplemented with dextrose,
dl
-tryptophan, and thiamine. However, when the casein hydrolysate was replaced with a complete array of amino acids, no growth occurred. The addition of barbituric acid to this synthetic medium resulted in consistent growth. A number of purines, pyrimidines, and other nitrogen-containing compounds were tested, but none was found that would replace barbituric acid. In synthetic media,
B. popilliae
was found to require biotin, thiamine, and 11 amino acids for growth. Three additional amino acids were stimulatory. Preliminary studies indicated that the nutritional requirements of
B. lentimorbus
, another species known to be pathogenic for Japanese beetle (
Popillia japonica
) larvae, were similar to those for
B. popilliae
.
ACCUMULATION OF PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS BY
MUCOR RACEMOSUS
Authors: James A. W. , Casida L. E.
Published: January 2020

James
, A. W. (The Pennsylvania State University, University Park),
and L. E. Casida, Jr.
Accumulation of phosphorus compounds by
Mucor racemosus
. J. Bacteriol.
87:
150–155. 1964.—In glucose-inorganic salts media containing excess KH
2
PO
4
,
Mucor racemosus
accumulated 5 to 6% phosphorus on a dry-weight basis in its mycelium. Fractionation of phosphorus compounds in young, rapidly growing mycelium revealed that approximately 58% of this phosphorus was in the form of inorganic polyphosphate; nucleic acids accounted for an additional 17% of the total phosphorus. Upon further growth, morphological changes were observed in many of the hyphae, and polyphosphate appeared in the culture media. In media containing limited amounts of KH
2
PO
4
, exogenous polyphosphate was utilized by
M. racemosus
, and the phosphorus content of the mycelium decreased to approximately 0.3%.
ISOLATION AND PRELIMINARY CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE BACTERIOPHAGES ASSOCIATED WITH A LYSOGENIC STRAIN OF
PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA
,
Authors: Feary Thomas W. , Fisher Earl , Fisher Thelma N.
Published: January 2020

Feary, Thomas
W. (Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La.),
Earl Fisher, Jr., and Thelma N. Fisher
. Isolation and preliminary characteristics of three bacteriophages associated with a lysogenic strain of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. J. Bacteriol.
87:
196–208. 1964.—Three bacteriophages designated 7v, 7m, and 7s were isolated from a lysogenic strain of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
designated Ps-7. The three viruses were found to be completely unrelated on the basis of plaque morphology, host range, serology, ultraviolet induction, sensitivity to heat, and particle morphology as revealed by electron microscopy. In addition, it was shown that the three phages were incapable of plaque formation on bacteria other than various strains of
P. aeruginosa
. Of the three phages, only phage 7v was capable of plaque formation on strain Ps-7. The growth of phage 7v on strain Ps-7 exhibited properties which suggest that this virus arises as the result of mutation in a temperate phage for which strain Ps-7 is lysogenic. Phages 7m and 7s are incapable of plaque formation on strain Ps-7, but are adsorbed at characteristic rates to cell suspensions of strain Ps-7. The relationship between phage 7m and strain Ps-7 was shown to meet the classical criteria for lysogeny. Because phage 7s contains ribonucleic acid as its nucleic acid component, it was concluded that its production by strain Ps-7 and the demonstration of immunity of strain Ps-7 to infection by phage 7s were not sufficient evidence to define the nature of the relationship between phage 7s and
P. aeruginosa
strain Ps-7. It was observed that under certain conditions the infectious titer of phage 7s preparations are markedly reduced in the presence of ribonuclease.
GROWTH OF
ACANTHAMOEBA CASTELLANI
WITH THE YEAST
TORULOPSIS FAMATA
Authors: Nero L. C. , Tarver Mae G. , Hedrick L. R.
Published: January 2020

Nero
, L. C. (Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago),
Mae G. Tarver, and L. R. Hedrick
. Growth of
Acanthamoeba castellani
with the yeast
Torulopsis famata
. J. Bacteriol.
87:
220–225. 1964.—
Acanthamoeba castellani
and
Torulopsis famata
cells were cultured together for 10 days at three different temperatures: 18, 25, and 32 C. In the 18- and 25-C series, the yeast population reached a peak within 3 to 5 days and then declined for the next 5 days. This decrease in yeast population corresponded with an increase in the development of amoebae, which first appeared as vegetative cells and later transformed themselves into cysts. The changes in population were determined by counts in a hemocytometer. The vegetative amoeba population seldom exceeded 4 × 10
7
cells per bottle culture, but the encysted population approached 16 × 10
7
cysts per bottle culture within 10 days of incubation. The amoebae actively ingested the yeasts and used these cells as their principal source of energy. At 18 C each amoeba consumed 70 yeast cells per day; at 25 C each amoeba ingested 35 yeast cells per day. In the 32-C series, both the yeast and the amoebae had slow growth rates. The development of cysts corresponded with the growth of the yeast population without the rapid increase in yeast population prior to the growth of the amoebic cells.
GLYOXYLATE FERMENTATION BYSTREPTOCOCCUS ALLANTOICUS
Authors: Valentine R. C. , Drucker H. , Wolfe R. S.
Published: January 2020

Valentine, R. C. (University of Illinois, Urbana), H.Drucker, and R. S. Wolfe. Glyoxylate fermentation byStreptococcus allantoicus. J. Bacteriol.87:241–246. 1964.—Extracts ofStreptococcus allantoicuswere found to degrade glyoxylate, yielding tartronic semialdehyde and CO2. Tartronic semialdehyde was prepared chemically, and its properties were compared with the enzymatic product: reduction by sodium borohydride yielded glycerate; heating at 100 C yielded glycolaldehyde and CO2; autoxidation yielded mesoxalic semialdehyde; periodate oxidation yielded glyoxylate and a compound presumed to be formate. Tartronic semialdehyde reductase was present in extracts ofS. allantoicusand in a species ofPseudomonasgrown on allantoin. A scheme for the synthesis of acetate from glyoxylate byS. allantoicusis discussed.
FURTHER STUDIES ON A LABILE IMMUNOGENIC PARTICULATE SUBSTANCE ISOLATED FROMMYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS
Authors: Youmans Anne S. , Youmans Guy P.
Published: January 2020

Youmans, AnneS. (Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.),and Guy P. Youmans. Further studies on a labile immunogenic particulate substance isolated fromMycobacterium tuberculosis. J. Bacteriol.87:278–285. 1964.—A particulate fraction which was highly immunogenic for mice was collected by ultracentrifugation from mycobacteria disrupted in 0.25msucrose buffer. The active immunogenic material was present in the gelatinous pellet obtained after centrifugation at 40,000 rev/min (144,000 ×g) for 3 hr. This active material could be prepared free from whole cells and cell walls. This was done either by several centrifugations at lower speeds, or by filtering the supernatant fluid from the 10,000 rev/min centrifugation through a Millipore filter (porosity 0.5 μ). No microorganisms were found on slides or in cultures made from these filtrates. The immunogenic moiety in the particulate fraction was found to be very labile. Temperatures higher than 0 to 4 C inactivated the immunogenic activity. There was an irreversible linear decrease in activity as the temperature increased. If fractions were frozen or lyophilized, the activity remained as high as the original material for 4 weeks, and then rapidly decreased. The immunogenic material also was very sensitive to the hydrogen-ion concentration; the optimal activity was found at pH 6.8 to 7.0. The activity decreased rapidly at more acid or alkaline pH values. Also, particulate fraction prepared in sucrose buffer at pH 7.3 and 7.6 was much less active than that prepared in sucrose buffer at pH 7.0. Immunogenic activity was decreased if the particulate fraction was dialyzed overnight against 0.01mphosphate buffer or distilled water at 4 C. The detergent sodium lauryl sulfate inactivated immunogenic activity. Moreover, the use of a Waring Blendor to blend the ruptured cell mass before centrifugation decreased the activity. Finally, a markedly lower activity resulted if both the 20,000 and 40,000 rev/min centrifugations were done the day after the rupture of the cells. Some refinements in technique which are used now in the preparation of the particulate fraction are detailed.
GLUCOSE CATABOLISM BY
BACILLUS POPILLIAE
AND
BACILLUS LENTIMORBUS
Authors: Pepper Rollin E. , Costilow Ralph N.
Published: January 2020

Pepper, Rollin
E. (Michigan State University, East Lansing),
and Ralph N. Costilow
. Glucose catabolism by
Bacillus popilliae
and
Bacillus lentimorbus
. J. Bacteriol.
87:
303–310. 1964.—Resting cells of
Bacillus popilliae
and
B. lentimorbus
catabolize glucose with the production of CO
2
, lactic acid, acetic acid, glycerol, ethanol, and trace amounts of acetoin and acetaldehyde. The first three products are the major ones, and their ratios may be varied by controlling the availability of oxygen. Practically no lactic acid is produced when oxygen is not limiting, whereas it may comprise up to 80% of the total acid when oxygen is greatly limited. However, no glucose is catabolized by resting cells in the absence of molecular oxygen. Isotope and inhibitor studies and assays for key enzymes of the established metabolic routes all indicate that these organisms utilize both the Embden-Meyerhof and hexosemonophosphate pathways for glucose dissimilation. With a concentrated resting-cell suspension, the extent of participation of the latter route was estimated to be as high as 40% in an atmosphere of pure oxygen, and as low as 2% in air. Acetate was oxidized by only one of the cultures of
B. popilliae
tested, which is apparently a mutant. Cells of this strain from stationary phase cultures oxidized acetate at pH 7.0 or higher, but not at pH 6.0; however, they oxidized succinate, fumarate, and malate more rapidly at pH 6.0 than at 7.0. The oxidation of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, the presence of condensing enzyme in extracts of cells capable of oxidizing acetate, and the complete inhibition of acetate oxidation by arsenite and partial inhibition by malonate all indicate that terminal oxidation of acetate by this strain of
B. popilliae
is via the tricarboxylic acid cycle.
GASEOUS ENVIRONMENT AND GROWTH OF MICROAEROPHILIC VIBRIOS
Authors: Fletcher R. D. , Plastridge W. N.
Published: January 2020

Fletcher
, R. D. (University of Connecticut, Storrs),
and W. N. Plastridge
. Gaseous environment and growth of microaerophilic vibrios. J. Bacteriol.
87:
352–355. 1964.—Strains of microaerophilic vibrios from cattle, chickens, man, and sheep were placed in four groups on the basis of catalase and H
2
S production and glycine tolerance. By these tests group I was + − −, group II was + − +, group III was + + +, and group IV was − + +. On yeast extract-agar, the optimal oxygen level was 2.5% for group I, and 5.0% for the other three groups; the optimal carbon dioxide level was 10% for all four groups; the group I strains from man and sheep and the group II strains differed from the group I strains from cattle, by tolerating higher levels of both oxygen and carbon dioxide. On a chemically defined medium, the optimal oxygen level was 1.0%, and the optimal carbon dioxide level was 10% for groups I and II; the group II strains were more sensitive to high levels of carbon dioxide than were group I strains from cattle.
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF
LACTOBACILLUS
30a FOR GROWTH AND HISTIDINE DECARBOXYLASE PRODUCTION
Authors: Guirard Beverly M. , Snell Esmond E.
Published: January 2020

Guirard, Beverly
M. (University of California, Berkeley),
and Esmond E. Snell
. Nutritional requirements of
Lactobacillus
30a for growth and histidine decarboxylase production. J. Bacteriol.
87:
370–376. 1964.—The nutritional requirements of
Lactobacillus
30a include each of the naturally occurring amino acids, several B vitamins, ascorbic acid, glucose, acetate, and oleate. The nutritional requirements for optimal histidine decarboxylase production (up to 900 μliters of CO
2
per hr per mg of cells) differ to some extent from those for optimal growth. Wholly synthetic and partially defined media are described which produce high enzyme activity, together with rapid and luxuriant growth.
ISOLATION OF OBLIGATELY ANAEROBIC PSYCHROPHILIC BACTERIA
Authors: Sinclair N. A. , Stokes J. L.
Published: January 2020

Sinclair
, N. A. (Washington State University, Pullman),
and J. L. Stokes
. Isolation of obligately anaerobic psychrophilic bacteria. J. Bacteriol.
87:
562–565. 1964.—A total of 11 strains of strictly anaerobic psychrophilic bacteria have been isolated from soil, mud, and sewage. The organisms grow well at 0 C in liquid and on solid media, and grow only in the complete absence of oxygen. On the basis of shape, sporulation, flagellation, and strictly anaerobic growth, all of the organisms were classified as strains of
Clostridium
. Some of the biochemical properties of the strains and the effect of temperature on growth are described.
DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOACTIVITY IN AUTOLYZED CELL WALL OF
BACILLUS CEREUS
DURING SPHEROPLAST FORMATION
Authors: Kronish Donald P. , Mohan Raam R. , Schwartz Benjamin S.
Published: January 2020

Kronish, Donald
P. (Warner-Lambert Research Institute, Morris Plains, N.J.),
Raam R. Mohan, and Benjamin S. Schwartz
. Distribution of radioactivity in autolyzed cell wall of
Bacillus cereus
during spheroplast formation. J. Bacteriol.
87:
581–587. 1964.—Spheroplasts of
Bacillus cereus
strain T were produced from cells grown in the presence of uniformly labeled C
14
-glucose. At regular intervals during spheroplast formation, enzymatically degraded cell wall was isolated by a new procedure. Radioactivity of solubilized cell wall in cell-free material increased from 2.5 to 42% of the total incorporated label during spheroplast formation. The rate of cell-wall degradation as measured by increase in radioactivity was biphasic with relative slopes of 2.0 and 5.0. During autolytic depolymerization of
B. cereus
cell wall, two major components were solubilized at different rates. Chemical fractionation revealed these to be a peptide and a mucopeptide. The possibility of two enzymes being involved in spheroplast formation and cell-wall degradation is discussed.
NEW TYPE OF SEX FACTOR-SPECIFIC BACTERIOPHAGE OF
ESCHERICHIA COLI
Authors: Watanabe Tsutomu , Okada Motoyuki
Published: January 2020

Watanabe, Tsutomu
(Keio University, Tokyo, Japan),
and Motoyuki Okada
. New type of sex factor-specific bacteriophage of
Escherichia coli
. J. Bacteriol.
87:
727–736. 1964.—A virulent phage, W-31, isolated from sewage water, was found to have a specific relationship to the sex factor of
Escherichia coli
K-12; this phage formed large, clear plaques on F
−
and stable Hfr strains but small, turbid plaques on F
+
strains. Unstable Hfr strains gave intermediate-type responses to phage W-31. Further, adsorption and nucleic acid injection of phage W-31 occurred equally in F
−
and F
+
strains. In addition, a majority of F
+
cells were killed by infection with phage W-31 without producing progeny phage. These results suggest that some step(s) after nucleic acid injection is suppressed by an autonomous F but not by an integrated F. Colicinogenic factor B was also found to suppress the production of progeny of phage W-31, although colicinogenic factor E
2
, prophage λ, and R factors did not show such inhibitory effects against this phage. Colicinogenic factor B in an F
−
strain derived from an Hfr strain did not suppress the multiplication of phage W-31; this strain was further found to carry out chromosome transfer in the same order as the original Hfr strain.
UNUSUAL
BACTEROIDES
-LIKE ORGANISM
Authors: Goldberg Herbert S. , Barnes Ella M. , Charles Anthony B.
Published: January 2020

Goldberg, Herbert
S. (University of Missouri, Columbia),
Ella M. Barnes, and Anthony B. Charles
. Unusual
Bacteroides
-like organism. J. Bacteriol.
87:
737–742. 1964.—An organism is described which appears to be a new species of gram-negative, anaerobic, nonsporulating rod. It was isolated from poultry caeca at levels of 10
7
to 10
8
per g. It is primarily distinguished from related organisms by its unusual size (2.0 by 10.0 μ). It is biochemically differentiated from known species of
Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Sphaerophorous
, and other accepted related genera. Its presence in large numbers in the gut of poultry, and its high metabolic activity would seem to indicate an important intestinal organism.
ACCUMULATION OF RIBONUCLEIC ACID IN BACTERIAL NUCLEAR PREPARATIONS DURING TREATMENT OF WHOLE CELLS WITH 8-AZAGUANINE, TETRACYCLINES, AND OTHER INHIBITORS
Authors: Ezekiel David H.
Published: January 2020

Ezekiel, David
H. (Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pa.). Accumulation of ribonucleic acid in bacterial nuclear preparations during treatment of whole cells with 8-azaguanine, tetracyclines, and other inhibitors. J. Bacteriol.
87:
755–760. 1964—Ribonucleic acid (RNA), synthesized in
Bacillus megaterium
KM during chloramphenicol treatment, accumulates in the chromatin-containing cell fraction obtained by lipase treatment of protoplasts. To determine whether this phenomenon is the cause or an effect of the inhibition of protein synthesis, or neither, other inhibitors of protein synthesis were studied. Chloramphenicol, tetracyclines, azaguanine, and, to a lesser extent, 7-azatryptophan permitted RNA synthesis while inhibiting protein synthesis. In each case, RNA accumulated in the chromatin body fraction. Azaguanine at 5 μg/ml causes more RNA accumulation than at 15 μg/ml, but allows some protein synthesis. Other inhibitors of protein synthesis inhibit RNA synthesis as well, and no accumulation is seen. The evidence favors the hypothesis that inhibition of protein synthesis causes the accumulation in the nuclear fraction. The possible nature and intracellular locus of the RNA accumulation are discussed briefly.
β-GLUCOSIDASE SYSTEM OF
NEUROSPORA CRASSA
I. β-
Authors: Eberhart Bruce , Cross David F. , Chase Lewis R.
Published: January 2020

Eberhart, Bruce
(University of North Carolina, Greensboro),
David F. Cross, and Lewis R. Chase
. β-Glucosidase system of
Neuspora crassa
. I. β-Glucosidase and cellulose activities of mutant and wild-type strains. J. Bacteriol.
87:
761–770. 1964.—A mutant strain,
gluc-1
, of
Neurospora crassa
was isolated and characterized by its low level of β-glucosidase activity. The mutant was selected by testing irradiated colonies for extracellular β-glucosidase activity. Strains containing the
gluc-1
gene were also visibly detected by their reduced ability to destroy esculin in their growth media. The mutant strain grew at wild-type rates with cellobiose or carboxymethylcellulose as carbon sources. This auxotrophic similarity with wild type is explained by the presence of at least two β-glucosidases (and possibly two cellulases) in
Neurospora
that act complementarily. The thermolabile β-glucosidase was destroyed after 1 min of incubation at 60 C. This enzyme was present in mycelia but absent in conidial extracts. A second β-glucosidase that is comparatively stable at 60 C was present in both mycelia and conidia. A partial separation of these enzymes was achieved with ammonium fractionation of mycelial extracts of
gluc-1
and wild-type strains. Thermolabile β-glucosidase and cellulase activity appear not to be affected by the
gluc-1
mutation, whereas the thermostable glucosidase is greatly reduced in
gluc-1
strains.
EFFECT OF SPORULATION MEDIUM ON HEAT RESISTANCE, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, AND GERMINATION OF
BACILLUS MEGATERIUM
SPORES
Authors: Levinson Hillel S. , Hyatt Mildred T.
Published: January 2020

Levinson, Hillel
S. (U.S. Army Natick Laboratories, Natick, Mass.),
and Mildred T. Hyatt
. Effect of sporulation medium on heat resistance, chemical composition, and germination of
Bacillus megaterium
spores. J. Bacteriol.
87:
876–886. 1964.—
Bacillus megaterium
spores, grown on variously supplemented media, had varying concentrations of P, Ca, Mn, or dipicolinic acid. Supplementation with CaCl
2
yielded spores with increased heat resistance; addition of
l
-glutamate,
l
-proline, or increase of the phosphate concentration yielded spores with reduced heat resistance. Germination characteristics depended on both the sporulation medium and the germinant (glucose,
l
-alanine,
l
-leucine, or KNO
3
); pronounced differences were demonstrable with glucose and
l
-alanine, which trigger germination via different metabolic pathways. An increase in CaCl
2
during sporulation yielded spores with increased germination in glucose but not in
l
-alanine. Germination in
l
-alanine was optimal with spores produced on media containing 0.1 m
m
MnCl
2
, but germination of such spores was minimal in glucose. An increase in the sporulation medium phosphate decreased the initial germination rate in glucose, but not in
l
-alanine. Spores produced in CaCl
2
-supplemented media had increased heat-activation requirements (increased dormancy) for germination induced by
l
-alanine, and decreased heat-shock requirements for glucose-induced germination. An increase of sporulation phosphate yielded spores with reduced dormancy for germination induced by
l
-alanine, but with unchanged dormancy on the other germinants. Spores produced with added
l
-glutamate had reduced dormancy for glucose-induced germination, and increased dormancy for germination induced by
l
-alanine. Addition of CaCl
2
or
l
-glutamate to the sporulation medium yielded spores with increased sensitivity to “ionic germination” (with KI). Spores from synthetic medium were incapacitated for full postgerminative development, as shown by repression of the changes in oxygen-uptake rate which accompany normal cell division.
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF 5-FLUOROURACIL ON STRAINS OF
BACILLUS MEGATERIUM
Authors: Wachsman J. T. , Kemp S. , Hogg L.
Published: January 2020

Wachsman
, J. T. (University of Illinois, Urbana), S.
Kemp, and L. Hogg
. Comparative effects of 5-fluorouracil on strains of
Bacillus megaterium
. J. Bacteriol.
87:
1011–1018. 1964.—Growth of
Bacillus megaterium
strain KM is severely inhibited by 5-fluorouracil (FU). Both thymidine and uridine are required to overcome this inhibition. The addition of uridine alone to a FU-inhibited culture permits good ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein synthesis for the first 2 hr, but rather poor deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis. Uridine enhances the bactericidal effect of FU, promoting a decrease in the viable count of from 4 to 5 decades in 5 hr. Death begins after a 1-hr lag and is accompanied by hydrolysis of RNA and cell lysis, commencing during the 2- to 5-hr interval. The combination of FU and uridine is not bactericidal, when a methionine auxotroph is deprived of its required amino acid. Substrains of KM, partially resistant to FU, were isolated. Strain T
2
requires only thymidine to overcome the inhibitory effects of FU, whereas strain FU/2 requires only uridine. With a uridine auxotroph of strain KM, FU partially replaces uridine by permitting a small, but reproducible, increase in the amount of protein.
ACTIVITY OF ASPARTATE TRANSCARBAMYLASE IN UNINFECTED AND TYPE 5 ADENOVIRUS-INFECTED HELA CELLS
Authors: Consigli Richard A. , Ginsberg Harold S.
Published: January 2020

Consigli, Richard
A. (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia),
and Harold S. Ginsberg
. Activity of aspartate transcarbamylase in uninfected and type 5 adenovirus-infected HeLa cells. J. Bacteriol.
87:
1034–1043. 1964.—A two- to three-fold increase in aspartate transcarbamylase (ATCase) activity was observed in type 5 adenovirus-infected HeLa cells 18 hr after infection. The enhanced enzyme activity was virus-specific and dependent on biosynthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid and protein. When various characteristics as well as the kinetics of the enzymes from uninfected and infected cells were compared, ATCase from adenovirus-infected cells was shown to have an altered pH optimum, greater heat stability, increased maximal velocity, and increased
K
m
value for aspartate.
SOME DIFFERENCES IN THE ACTION OF PENICILLIN, BACITRACIN, AND VANCOMYCIN ON
BACILLUS MEGATERIUM
Authors: Hancock R. , Fitz-James P. C.
Published: January 2020

Hancock
, R. (Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.),
and P. C. Fitz-James
. Some differences in the action of penicillin, bacitracin, and vancomycin on
Bacillus megaterium
. J. Bacteriol.
87:
1044–1050. 1964.—Penicillin and cycloserine do not inhibit the growth of protoplasts of
Bacillus megaterium
, indicating that inhibition of cell-wall synthesis is the only significant process by which they inhibit growth of bacteria. In contrast, bacitracin and vancomycin inhibit growth of protoplasts and bacteria at similar concentrations, indicating that they have important sites of action other than their known inhibition of cell-wall synthesis. At concentrations which inhibit mucopeptide synthesis, penicillin, bacitracin, and vancomycin each cause an increased rate of efflux of K ions from growing bacteria. This effect of penicillin is prevented by chloramphenicol or hypertonic sucrose, whereas the effects of bacitracin and vancomycin are unchanged under these conditions. It is concluded that bacitracin and vancomycin have direct effects on the cytoplasmic membrane, and it is proposed that their inhibition of cell-wall synthesis could be a consequence of these effects. Bacitracin and vancomycin do not compete with penicillin for binding to cells of
B. megaterium
, a further indication that they have a different primary site of action.
USE OF THYMINELESS DEATH TO ENRICH FOR DOUBLY AUXOTROPHIC MUTANTS OF
BACILLUS MEGATERIUM
Authors: Wachsman J. T. , Hogg L.
Published: January 2020

Wachsman
, J. T. (University of Illinois, Urbana),
and L. Hogg
. Use of thymineless death to enrich for doubly auxotrophic mutants of
Bacillus megaterium
. J. Bacteriol.
87:
1118–1122. 1964.—When strain KM:T
−
, a thymine auxotroph of
Bacillus megaterium
strain KM, is allowed to undergo thymineless death on a minimal medium, the survivors are greatly enriched in polyauxotrophic mutants. Cells were irradiated with ultraviolet light, grown in the presence of thymidine and a complete amino acid mixture, and then starved for thymidine in the absence of amino acids. Doubly auxotrophic mutants (thymine
−
amino acid
−
) may account for more than 90% of the survivors. The most reproducible results were obtained when sucrose (0.4
m
) was added to both growth and starvation media. Although the percentage of mutants among the survivors increases with the time of thymine starvation, the absolute number of double auxotrophs per milliliter decreases. It is probable that the extent of cross-feeding determines both the mutant yield and the mutants types. Substrains of KM:T
−
having additional requirements for each of the following amino acids have been isolated: histidine, threonine, tyrosine, tryptophan, arginine, isoleucine, methionine, serine, and cysteine.
VARIATION IN RUMEN
BUTYRIVIBRIO
STRAINS
Authors: Margherita S. S. , Hungate R. E. , Storz Hannelore
Published: January 2020

Margherita
, S. S. (University of California, Davis), R. E.
Hungate, and Hannelore Storz
. Variation in rumen
Butyrivibrio
strains. J. Bacteriol.
87:
1304–1308. 1964.—Five strains of
Butyrivibrio
isolated from the rumen of a single animal on an alfalfa hay ration were tested for serological relationships by agglutination and immunofluorescence. The main finding was a serological monospecificity of the strains. A cross-reaction between two strains was detected by agglutination and a second cross-reaction by immunofluorescence, but the cross-reacting pairs were different. Two years after the strains were isolated, fluorescein-conjugated antisera against three of them were used to test rumen contents of the same animal for homologous cell types. None was found. The findings indicate great variability in the serological characteristics of rumen butyrivibrios.
ANAEROBIC GROWTH OF
FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM
Authors: Gunner H. B. , Alexander M.
Published: January 2020

Gunner
, H. B. (Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.),
and M. Alexander
. Anaerobic growth of
Fusarium oxysporum
. J. Bacteriol.
87:
1309–1316. 1964.—
Fusarium oxysporum
, an alleged obligate aerobe, was found to be capable of growth in the absence of molecular oxygen, provided the medium contained yeast extract, MnO
2
, nitrate, selenite, or ferric ions. The active substance in yeast extract was not identified. The fungus possessed hydrogenase, and was capable of utilizing H
2
. Under anaerobic conditions, the fungus effected the reduction of nitrate, ceric, ferric, selenite, and tellurite ions, as well as the reduction of several inorganic sulfur compounds and indicators having positive oxidation-reduction potentials. The products of anaerobic nitrate-dependent growth were ethanol, CO
2
, acetic acid, and ammonia. Possible explanations for the apparent inability of obligate aerobes to grow in the absence of O
2
are discussed.
VIRUS BIOGRAPHIES I
Authors: Southam Chester M. , Shipkey Frederick H. , Babcock Virginia I. , Bailey Roller , Erlandson Robert A.
Published: January 2020

Southam, Chester
M. (Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, New York, N.Y.),
Frederick H. Shipkey, Virginia I. Babcock Roller Bailey, and Robert A. Erlandson
. Virus biographies. I. Growth of West Nile and Guaroa viruses in tissue culture. J. Bacteriol.
88:
187–199. 1964.—Monolayer tissue cultures of HEp 2 cells (human epidermoid carcinoma) were inoculated with Guaroa or West Nile viruses. At daily intervals for 4 days thereafter, these cultures were studied by (i) light microscopy of living cultures and stained cultures, (ii) intracerebral inoculation of mice to titrate infectivity, (iii) acridine orange stain to observe nucleic acid changes, (iv) fluorescein-labeled antibody technique to observe specific viral antigen, and (v) electron microscopy to observe virus particles. Guaroa virus infectivity increased progressively over the 4-day period, and caused definite cytolysis by day 3. Cytoplasmic ribonucleic acid (RNA) staining was increased by 24 hr, and by 48 hr the RNA formed globular masses, particularly in degenerating cells. Viral antigen was occasionally seen on day 1, and increased progressively thereafter, forming numerous sharply outlined particles in cytoplasm concentrated at the cell membrane. Virus particles were ellipsoids with a dense nucleoid and a single membrane approximately 70 by 90 mμ, which appeared to form at the cell membrane just before being discharged. West Nile virus infectivity increased sharply between 1 and 2 days, but caused little cytolysis even by 4 days. Cytoplasmic RNA staining increased progressively for the 4 days, usually forming a large juxtanuclear mass in each affected cell. Viral antigen was not detected on day 1, but increased progressively thereafter, forming a crescent or a single diffuse mass adjacent to the nucleus. Virus particles were spheres approximately 30 mμ in diameter, with a dense nucleoid and a single membrane. They appeared to form in granular foci in the cytoplasm and then to fill the channels of the endoplasmic reticulum. No significant nuclear changes were observed with either virus by any of these techniques.
AMINO ACID ACCUMULATION IN ETHIONINE-RESISTANT
SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Authors: Sorsoli W. A. , Spence K. D. , Parks L. W.
Published: January 2020

Sorsoli
, W. A. (Oregon State University, Corvallis), K. D.
Spence, and L. W. Parks
. Amino acid accumulation in ethionine-resistant
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. J. Bacteriol.
88:
20–24. 1964.—Recessive ethionine-resistant strains of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
possess a genetic lesion affecting the concentration of amino acids nonspecifically in the expandable pool of the organism. This area, which may be linked to a methionine gene, is highly mutable and accounts for resistance to certain amino acid analogues. Other mutations result in ethionine resistance by a mechanism unrelated to the amino acid uptake system.