FORMATION OF SPHEROPLASTS OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS BY LYSOZYME IN COMBINATION WITH CERTAIN ENZYMES OF RABBIT PERITONEAL MONOCYTES

Abstract

Spheroplasts of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were formed by culture of the organism in a nutritionally complete medium to which lysozyme and an extract obtained from rabbit peritoneal monocytes were added. The potentiating effect of the factor, or factors, present in the monocyte extract was lost upon prolonged storage at −20 °C or heat at 90 °C for 5 minutes, but was unaffected by dialysis. It was inactive in the presence of fluoride or oxalate. Enzymatic analysis of the monocyte extract showed the presence of lysozyme, acid phosphatase, phospholipase, and trypsin. When acid phosphatase or phospholipase were substituted for the monocyte extract in the lysozyme test system, spheroplast formation was obtained.