Full text loading...
A Specific Cell-wall Reaction in Bacillus sp.
Abstract
The cell wall of a bacillus, related to Bacillus anthracis, reacts specifically with the homologous antibody. This reaction can be made clearly visible by phase contrast when cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane are separated by mild lysozyme digestion, or when the cytoplasm is partially autolysed or digested with trypsin. The same antibody reacts with the transverse septa and polar bodies of the capsule, rendering them visible by phase contrast. These septa are in continuation of the cross walls of the cell, and sometimes give the appearance of division.
By these means the morphological locations of the chemically isolable fractions of serologically active bacterial extracts can be defined. These substances in the cell wall and in the septa and polar bodies of the capsule appear to be polysaccharide. The d-glutamic acid polypeptide element of the capsule does not occur in the cell wall.
A non-specific cell-wall reaction can be obtained with proteins at the appropriate values of pH, analogous to the non-specific capsular reaction previously reported.
- Received:
- Published Online:
© Society for Gerenal Microbiology, 1954