title: Characterization of mutants of Salmonella typhimurium by counter-current distribution in an aqueous two-polymer phase system.
abstract: An aqueous, two-polymer phase system was employed in an attempt to separate and characterize a series of R mutants, derived from Salmonella typhimurium 395 MS, with differing lengths of lipopolysaccharide chains on their surfaces. R mutants with varying degrees of virulence and phagocytic resistance were unresolved in this system. However, the smooth MS bacteria were clearly separated from the rough cells and showed a high affinity for the polyethylene glycol-rich top phase. A uridine 5'-diphosphate-gal-4-epimeraseless mutant, phenotypically in R or S form depending on the growth medium, partitioned as the R mutants and S bacteria, respectively. These results demonstrate the great influence of long polysaccharide chains on the physicochemical properties of the cell surface.
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002238:Carbohydrate Epimerases; D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D003377:Countercurrent Distribution; D005690:Galactose; D005947:Glucose; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000032:analysis; D009154:Mutation; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014539:Uridine Diphosphate Sugars
chemical_list: D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D014539:Uridine Diphosphate Sugars; D002238:Carbohydrate Epimerases; D005947:Glucose; D005690:Galactose