title: Factors influencing the in vitro growth of Mycobacterium leprae: effect of sulfhydryl compounds.
abstract: In an attempt to determine the factors that influence the in vitro growth of Mycobacterium leprae in DH medium, the effects of sulfhydryl compounds were studied. Growth of M. leprae was monitored using two biochemical indicators. Only the sulfhydryl compounds, in reduced form, containing carboxyl group could support the growth of M. leprae. Higher cell yields were obtained when these sulfhydryl compounds were supplemented with dithiothreitol, presumable to keep the monothiols in reduced state during long incubation periods. Ascorbic acid could not replace dithiothreitol for this purpose. It is suggested that these carboxylated sulfhydryl compounds play a role in the metabolic activity of M. leprae along with maintaining low redox potential of the medium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne 32901.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dhople
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lamoureux
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001135:Armadillos; D003470:Culture Media; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D013936:Thymidine