The modulation of the bacteriolytic effect of beta-lactam antibiotics by non-antibiotics.
The addition of cationic proteins such as lysozyme, ribonuclease and cytochrome C enhanced the beta-lactam-induced bacteriolysis of staphylococci measured as release of wall label or by optical density. The treatment of staphylococci with penicillin plus cytochrome C resulted in a reduced viability of bacteria compared with those treated with penicillin alone. The wall autolysis and the penicillin-induced bacteriolysis of staphylococci were enhanced by the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin C. The penicillin-induced bacteriolysis was also enhanced by the D-amino acids D-alanine and D-methionine, while the comparable L-amino acids did not reveal any activity. On the other hand, some polyanionic substances were able to suppress the penicillin-induced bacteriolysis. Radiochemical and electron microscopic studies revealed the participation of bacterial wall autolysins in the first steps of degradation processes of staphylococcal walls within murine bone marrow-derived macrophages.
Wecke
J
J
Robert Koch-Institute, Federal Health Office, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.
Kersten
T
T
Giesbrecht
P
P
D000588:Amines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D047090:beta-Lactams
D000588:Amines; D000596:Amino Acids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams