title: Autolysis of microbial cells: salt activation of autolytic enzymes in a mutant of Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: The effect of various salts on the autolysis of cell wall of a ribitol teichoic acid-deficient mutant of Staphylococcus aureus H (strain 52A5 carrying tar-1) was compared with the parent strain. In the presence of high concentrations of certain salts such as 1.0 m NaCl, the mutant undergoes autolysis with the release of osmotically sensitive spheroplasts. The parent strain is not affected by these conditions. The stimulation of lysis is related to an activation of N-acylmuramyl-l-alanine amidase.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D001329:Autolysis; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001433:Bacteriolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002268:Carboxypeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005998:Glycine / Q000378:metabolism; D008239:Lysine / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D009154:Mutation; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013104:Spheroplasts / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000032:analysis / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D013682:Teichoic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D013682:Teichoic Acids; D014316:Tritium; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D002701:Chloramphenicol; D002268:Carboxypeptidases; D008239:Lysine; D005998:Glycine