Chemotaxis of a motile Streptococcus toward sugars and amino acids.
A motile Streptococcus was isolated and its chemotactic behavior toward sugars and amino acids was studied. Motility was optimal in the presence of an exogenous energy source and a nonionic detergent, e.g., Tween 80 or Brij-36. Both glucose and pyruvate could serve as energy source. Chemotaxis toward leucine was optimal at pH 7 to 8.5 and a temperature between 30 and 37 C. The Streptococcus showed a chemotactic response toward a variety of sugars. All commonly occurring L-amino acids, except alanine, asparagine, aspartate, glutamate, arginine, and lysine, were attractants. From concentration response curves the thresholds, peak concentrations, and optimal responses were determined.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000187:drug effects; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007930:Leucine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011773:Pyruvates / Q000378:metabolism; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature
D000596:Amino Acids; D002241:Carbohydrates; D011773:Pyruvates; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D007930:Leucine; D005947:Glucose