Metal binding by the peptidoglycan sacculus of Escherichia coli K-12

Abstract

The peptidoglycan of E. coli K-12 strain AB264 was isolated by treating whole cells with sodium dodecyl sulfate and was purified by DNase, RNase and trypsin treatment. Like the peptidoglycan of Bacillus subtilis, this peptidoglycan proved able to bind substantial amounts of metallic ions from aqueous solution. Most metals of the transition I series were bound from solution in amounts .gtoreq. 1 .mu.mol/mg dry wt peptidoglycan.