A comparison of bacterial aggregation induced by saliva, lysozyme, and zinc.
Aggregation of bacteria by zinc and lysozyme was studied and compared with aggregation induced by a high-molecular-weight salivary agglutinin. Each ligand was found to exhibit a unique profile of properties when examined by both a microradiochemical centrifugation assay and a turbidimetric assay. Significant differences in rate of aggregation and bacterial species specificity were noted. Zinc- and lysozyme-mediated aggregations were shown to be calcium independent and to proceed rapidly at 0 degree C, in contrast to the salivary agglutinin. Zinc produced large, asymmetric aggregates, saliva produced intermediate-sized aggregates, and lysozyme produced the smallest aggregates. These size differences are consistent with many of the observed reaction properties.
D000373:Agglutinins; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009113:Muramidase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013696:Temperature; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000373:Agglutinins; D009113:Muramidase; D015032:Zinc