SYNTHESIS OF GLUTAMIC ACID AND GLUTAMYL POLYPEPTIDE BY BACILLUS ANTHRACIS III

Abstract

Conditions for the production of glutamyl polypeptide by B. anthracis in a synthetic liquid medium and various factors affecting the yield of peptide are reported. Under the best conditions yields of 1-1.5 mg./ml. were produced. The following differences were observed in the physiology of the virulent strains, 994 and M-36, and the avirulent strain, M: (1) strains 994 and M-36 require added CO2 for peptide synthesis while strain M does not; (2) strain M requires high levels of L-glutamic acid (1 to 2 mg./ml.) for max. yields of peptide while the other strains do not, although small levels of L-glutamic acid (0.05 to 0.1 mg./ml.) stimulate initiation of growth of these strains and improve the peptide yield in many expts.; and (3) strains 994 and M-36 produced more peptide when glucose is autoclaved with the medium while for high yields with strain M it is necessary to sterilize glucose separately. Only leucine, valine, and methionine are essential for growth. Isoleucine and phenylalanine, while not essential for growth, were essential for max. peptide production under conditions reported here.