Encystment and polymer production by Azotobacter vinelandii in the presence of beta-hydroxybutyrate.
- 1 June 1968
- journal article
- Vol. 95 (6), 2336-43
Abstract
Cells of Azotobacter vinelandii encysted in Burk's nitrogen-free liquid media which had been supplemented with n-butyl alcohol, beta-hydroxybutyrate, or crotonate. Butyraldehyde and butyrate did not influence the extent of encystment. In the absence of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate enhanced the rate and extent of encystment. In the presence of glucose, it promoted abortive encystment, which was manifested by the disorganization of the exine and the release of a highly viscous material into the medium. The soluble, viscous polymer was separated from the medium by a series of ethyl alcohol precipitations and identified as a mucopeptide. It was cleaved by treatment with lysozyme and lysostaphin with a concomitant increase in reducing power. It contained 13.9% N; 56% amino acids, as alanine (alanine, lysine, and glutamic acids); and 42% hexosamines. The polymer appeared to be similar to a noncross-linked peptidoglycan.This publication has 7 references indexed in Scilit:
- A NEW EPOXY EMBEDMENT FOR ELECTRON MICROSCOPYThe Journal of cell biology, 1962
- The ultrastructure of vegetative cells and cysts of Azotobacter chroococcumArchiv für Mikrobiologie, 1962
- DEVELOPMENT AND GERMINATION OF THE AZOTOBACTER CYSTThe Journal of cell biology, 1961
- Glucosamine Values of Muramic Acid and other Amino-Sugars by the Elson and Morgan MethodNature, 1960
- A modified ninhydrin colorimetric analysis for amino acidsArchives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 1957
- A SUBMICRODETERMINATION OF GLUCOSEJournal of Biological Chemistry, 1949