Biomaterial Database

Scanning electron microscopic study of Streptococcus mutans BHT lysed by lysozyme. 1985

S Twetman, and P Otteskog, and T Modéer

The effects of purified salivary lysozyme (HSL) and hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) on the surface structure of Streptococcus mutans BHT were studied with the aid of scanning electron microscopy. In parallel experiments bacteriolysis was monitored by liberation of 3H-thymidine incorporated into the bacteria. Control cells maintained their shape and had intact cell walls during the experimental period. Exposure of the cells to HSL (5.0 U/ml) or HEWL (5.0 micrograms/ml) for 3 and 18 h resulted in progressive destruction of cell structure. Some cells exhibited ruptures of the cell walls on top of spherical swellings, predominantly located at the ends of the bacteria. After 18 h the majority were disrupted in the septal area leaving numerous empty cup shaped cell walls in the preparations. The findings of the electron microscopic examination were confirmed in the biochemical assay.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008855	Microscopy, Electron, Scanning	Microscopy in which the object is examined directly by an electron beam scanning the specimen point-by-point. The image is constructed by detecting the products of specimen interactions that are projected above the plane of the sample, such as backscattered electrons. Although SCANNING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY also scans the specimen point by point with the electron beam, the image is constructed by detecting the electrons, or their interaction products that are transmitted through the sample plane, so that is a form of TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY.	Scanning Electron Microscopy,Electron Scanning Microscopy,Electron Microscopies, Scanning,Electron Microscopy, Scanning,Electron Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Electron Scanning,Microscopies, Scanning Electron,Microscopy, Electron Scanning,Microscopy, Scanning Electron,Scanning Electron Microscopies,Scanning Microscopies, Electron,Scanning Microscopy, Electron
D009113	Muramidase	A basic enzyme that is present in saliva, tears, egg white, and many animal fluids. It functions as an antibacterial agent. The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in peptidoglycan and between N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in chitodextrin. EC 3.2.1.17.	Lysozyme,Leftose,N-Acetylmuramide Glycanhydrolase,Glycanhydrolase, N-Acetylmuramide,N Acetylmuramide Glycanhydrolase
D002645	Chickens	Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA.	Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken
D004529	Egg White	The white of an egg, especially a chicken's egg, used in cooking. It contains albumin. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)	Egg Whites
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001433	Bacteriolysis	Rupture of bacterial cells due to mechanical force, chemical action, or the lytic growth of BACTERIOPHAGES.	Bacteriolyses
D012463	Saliva	The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the SALIVARY GLANDS and mucous glands of the mouth. It contains MUCINS, water, organic salts, and ptylin.	Salivas
D013295	Streptococcus mutans	A polysaccharide-producing species of STREPTOCOCCUS isolated from human dental plaque.