Development of aggregating ability in cells of Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903 grown under glucose-limiting conditions in continuous culture.
Streptococcus mitis ATCC 903 grown under glucose-limiting conditions in continuous culture did not aggregate upon incubation in 10 mM phosphate buffer at pH 5--7 unless a metabolizable sugar was added. Aggregation started 45--60 min after the addition of glucose or sucrose whereas slowly metabolized sugars as galactose and lactose required several hours to cause aggregation. Active metabolism of the carbohydrate was a prerequisite for aggregation as indicated by acid formation. Chloramphenicol inhibited the development of aggregating ability in the presence of glucose or sucrose. The addition of a source of nitrogen (peptides and amino acids) enhanced aggregation and shortened the time for development of aggregating ability. No aggregation occurred at at 0 degrees C and the ability to aggregate was markedly delayed at 20 degrees C as compared to 30 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Trypsin treatment of the bacteria abolished aggregation, indicating that surface components of protein or glycoprotein nature contributed to the capacity to aggregate.
D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000494:pharmacology; D003470:Culture Media; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000494:pharmacology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014357:Trypsin / Q000494:pharmacology
D003470:Culture Media; D002701:Chloramphenicol; D014357:Trypsin; D005947:Glucose; D009584:Nitrogen