Cell Walls of Group D Streptococci II. Chemical Studies on the Type 1 Antigen Purified from the Autolytic Digest of Cell Walls

Abstract

Autolysis of group D, type I cell by an indigenous autolytic enzyme results in the solubilization of the type I antigen. The antigen was purified from the autolytic digest by DEAE cellulose chromatography. Chemical analysis of the purified type 1 antigen revealed glucose, glucosamine, galactosamine, rham-nose, ribitol, P and residual peptoglycan components. This analysis suggested that the type I antigen is a heteropolymer which may contain a ribitol teiochoic acid. The antigen purified by the procedure outlined here is higher in P content, lower in peptidoglycan and more reactive serologically than the antigen prepared by methods previously described.