Teichoic acid synthesis in Bacillus stearothermophilus. 1974

L D Kennedy

1. Particulate enzyme preparations obtained from Bacillus stearothermophilus B65 by digestion with lysozyme were shown to catalyse teichoic acid synthesis. With CDP-glycerol as sole substrate the preparations synthesized 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphate). It was characterized by alkaline hydrolysis, by glucosylation to the alkali-stable 2-glucosyl-1,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) with excess of UDP-glucose and a Bacillus subtilis Marburg enzyme system, by degradation of this latter product with 60%HF and periodate oxidation of the resulting glucosylglycerol. The specificity of the B. subtilis system previously reported (Glaser & Burger, 1964), was confirmed in the present work. 2. Pulse-labelling experiments, followed by periodate oxidation of the product and isolation of formaldehyde from the glycerol terminus of the polymer, showed that the B. stearothermophilus enzyme system transferred glycerol phosphate units to the glycerol end of the chain. The transfer reaction was irreversible. It was not determined if these poly(glycerol phosphate) chains were synthesized de novo, but it was shown that the newly synthesized oligomers were bound to much larger molecules. 3. When the B. stearothermophilus enzyme system was supplied with both CDP-glycerol and UDP-glucose, 1-glucosyl-2,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) was synthesized in addition to the 1,3-isomer. The former polymer was characterized by acid and alkaline hydrolysis, degradation with HF and periodate oxidation of the resulting glucosylglycerol, and periodate oxidation of the intact polymer followed by mild acid hydrolysis. This latter procedure removed the glucose substituents without disrupting the poly(glycerol phosphate) chain. 4. The poly(glycerol phosphate) isomers were distinguished by glucosylation with the B. subtilis enzymes and alkaline hydrolysis, the 2,3-isomer remaining alkali-labile. The proportion of 2,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) in the product increased with increasing amounts of UDP-glucose in the incubation mixture, but the total glycerol phosphate incorporated into products remained constant. It is suggested that the synthetic pathways of the two poly(glycerol phosphate) species may share a rate-limiting step.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
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
D010761 Phosphorus Radioisotopes Unstable isotopes of phosphorus that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. P atoms with atomic weights 28-34 except 31 are radioactive phosphorus isotopes. Radioisotopes, Phosphorus
D002250 Carbon Radioisotopes Unstable isotopes of carbon that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. C atoms with atomic weights 10, 11, and 14-16 are radioactive carbon isotopes. Radioisotopes, Carbon
D002498 Centrifugation Process of using a rotating machine to generate centrifugal force to separate substances of different densities, remove moisture, or simulate gravitational effects. It employs a large motor-driven apparatus with a long arm, at the end of which human and animal subjects, biological specimens, or equipment can be revolved and rotated at various speeds to study gravitational effects. (From Websters, 10th ed; McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)
D002852 Chromatography, Ion Exchange Separation technique in which the stationary phase consists of ion exchange resins. The resins contain loosely held small ions that easily exchange places with other small ions of like charge present in solutions washed over the resins. Chromatography, Ion-Exchange,Ion-Exchange Chromatography,Chromatographies, Ion Exchange,Chromatographies, Ion-Exchange,Ion Exchange Chromatographies,Ion Exchange Chromatography,Ion-Exchange Chromatographies
D002854 Chromatography, Paper An analytical technique for resolution of a chemical mixture into its component compounds. Compounds are separated on an adsorbent paper (stationary phase) by their varied degree of solubility/mobility in the eluting solvent (mobile phase). Paper Chromatography,Chromatographies, Paper,Paper Chromatographies
D003597 Cytosine Nucleotides A group of pyrimidine NUCLEOTIDES which contain CYTOSINE. Cytidine Phosphates,Nucleotides, Cytosine,Phosphates, Cytidine
D005557 Formaldehyde A highly reactive aldehyde gas formed by oxidation or incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. In solution, it has a wide range of uses: in the manufacture of resins and textiles, as a disinfectant, and as a laboratory fixative or preservative. Formaldehyde solution (formalin) is considered a hazardous compound, and its vapor toxic. (From Reynolds, Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p717) Formalin,Formol,Methanal,Oxomethane
D005947 Glucose A primary source of energy for living organisms. It is naturally occurring and is found in fruits and other parts of plants in its free state. It is used therapeutically in fluid and nutrient replacement. Dextrose,Anhydrous Dextrose,D-Glucose,Glucose Monohydrate,Glucose, (DL)-Isomer,Glucose, (alpha-D)-Isomer,Glucose, (beta-D)-Isomer,D Glucose,Dextrose, Anhydrous,Monohydrate, Glucose
D005990 Glycerol A trihydroxy sugar alcohol that is an intermediate in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is used as a solvent, emollient, pharmaceutical agent, or sweetening agent. 1,2,3-Propanetriol,Glycerin,1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane,Glycerine

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