SYNTHESIS OF GLUTAMIC ACID AND GLUTAMYL POLYPEPTIDE BY BACILLUS ANTHRACIS II

Abstract

The effect of CO2 on glutamyl polypeptide synthesis on solid media by 3 virulent and 2 avirulent strains of B. anthracis has been studied quantitatively. In the absence of CO2, the 3 virulent strains of B. anthracis produced little or no peptide. By addition of CO2 either as NaHCO3 or by aeration with a mixture of CO2 and air, the virulent strains produced large quantities of peptide. The 2 avirulent strains of B. anthracis did not require CO2 for production of glutamyl polypeptide and added CO2 had no effect.