STUDIES IN THE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF PENICILLIN-INDUCED SPHEROPLASTS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI

Abstract

A method for determining the extent of formation of penicillin-induced spheroplasts of E. coli is described. The method is based on the decrease in turbidity of the spheroplast when the sucrose content is diluted with water at 56 C. The fragility curve obtained was correlated with (1) deoxyribonucleic acid in the residue and the deoxyribonucleic acid released into the supernatant after lysis; (2) the viability count after exposure to hypotonicity; and (3) the ability of the preparations subsequently to synthesize B-galactosidase. The significance of the results relating to the mechanism of spheroplast and protoplast formation is discussed.