title: Chain formation and de-chaining in Streptococcus sobrinus SL-1.
abstract: Regulation of chain length by chain-forming bacteria is believed to depend on wall-associated autolytic activity and environmental conditions. In this study, the chain length of Streptococcus sobrinus SL-1 was determined under various initial culture and pH conditions and NaF concentrations. Crude wall extracts were prepared by dilute alkali treatment of whole cells and were tested for de-chaining activity. The results indicate that S. sobrinus SL-1 grows primarily as short chains under alkaline growth conditions and at high (3.0 mM) medium fluoride levels, and growth as long chains occurs under acidic growth conditions. De-chaining activity was observed following incubation of the longer chain form of the organism with crude wall extracts. The evidence suggests that the chain length of S. sobrinus SL-1 depends on environmental conditions, including pH and fluoride, and that cell wall-associated factors may be active in regulating the chain length of the organism.
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Thibodeau
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ford
mesh_terms: D001329:Autolysis; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology; D016986:Streptococcus sobrinus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D012969:Sodium Fluoride