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Induction of autolysis of staphylococci by the basic peptide antibiotics Pep 5 and nisin and their influence on the activity of autolytic enzymes

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Abstract

Pep 5 and nisin are cationic bactericidal peptides which were shown to induce autolysis in Staphylococcus cohnii 22. In contrast to nisin, Pep 5 induced lysis could be stimulated in the presence of glucose. Addition of lipoteichoic acids (LTA) (d-alanine:phosphorus=0.475:1) inhibited all effects of Pep 5 on susceptible cells in a molar ratio LTA:Pep 5 of 10:1. Treatment of S. cohnii 22 with Pep 5 or nisin for 20 min and subsequent washing with 2.5 M NaCl released autolysin activity. Crude preparations of the hydrolyzing enzymes produced free amino groups as well as polysaccharide fragments from the murein backbone, suggesting the presence of a muramidase or glucosamidase, and endopeptidase or amidase. Both enzyme activities were inhibited by lipoteichoic acid; they could be fully reactivated by addition of Pep 5 in sufficient concentrations. The velocity of hydrolysis was not influenced by nisin, whereas it was doubled in presence of Pep 5. The results are discussed in view of a possible mechanism of induction of lysis by Pep 5 and nisin.

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Abbreviations

A.U.:

arbitrary unit

CCCP:

carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone

DNase:

deoxyribonuclease

CYG:

casein yeast extract glucose

IT:

initial turbidity

LTA:

lipoteichoic acid

RNase:

ribonuclease

TSB:

Tryptone Soy Broth

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  1. Institut für Med. Mikrobiologie und Immunologie der Universität Bonn, D-5300, Bonn, Germany

    Gabriele Bierbaum & Hans-Georg Sahl

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  1. Gabriele Bierbaum
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  2. Hans-Georg Sahl
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Bierbaum, G., Sahl, HG. Induction of autolysis of staphylococci by the basic peptide antibiotics Pep 5 and nisin and their influence on the activity of autolytic enzymes. Arch. Microbiol. 141, 249–254 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408067

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408067

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