Cell-Wall Composition and the Grouping Antigens of Streptococci

Abstract

SLAMP. Cell-wall composition and grouping antigens of streptococci. J. Bacteriol. 84:345-351. 1962.-The carbohydrates present in the cell walls of streptococci belonging to serological groups A-H and K-S, and unclassifiable strains, have been identified. The sugars found were rhamnose, glucose, galactose, arabinose, and mannose. All sugars vary considerably in their distribution among the groups; glucose, galactose, and rhamnose occur most frequently. Strains were found which contained each of the latter sugars singly or in combination with one or both of the other sugars. Variation within a single group occurred in one-half of the groups. A strain containing only glucose and another only galactose were found. Except for groups A and C, in which only rhamnose is present in the great majority of strains, the presence or absence of the sugars does not aid in the identification of the groups. The cell walls of all groups examined also contained alanine, glutamic acid, lysine, glucosamine, galactosamine, and muramic acid. The cell walls of all groups, except D, agglutinated in the presence of specific group antisera, indicating the presence of the group antigen in the cell wall. Strains in groups F, K, and M gave a weak reaction. The structure and chemical composition of the group antigens of the streptococci are discussed.

Immunochemistry of the Streptococcal Group R Cell Wall Polysaccharide Antigen

“…Cell walls were prepared as previously described (14) and then extracted either at 90 C with 5% trichloroacetic acid (12) or with 0.05 N HCl at 100 C for 10 min (16). The trichloroacetic acid extracts were freed of the acid by extensive dialysis against water and then were lyophilized.…”

“…Group R streptococci are beta-hemolytic, bacitracin-sensitive organisms which have been isolated from septicemic infections in pigs (2), and meningitis and septicemia in man (9). The cell walls of the R streptococci are known to contain rhamnose, glucose, and galactose (1,11,14), and acid extracts of the walls give positive precipitin reactions with anti-whole cell sera (2). No information is available on the chemical composition, structure, and immunological specificity of the R group antigen, although it would appear likely that the antigen is a polysaccharide located in the cell wall.…”

Peptidoglycan types of bacterial cell walls and their taxonomic implications.

“…AND TAXONOMIC GROUPING OF BACTERIA Already in the early days of cell wall research, the amino acid composition of the peptidoglycan was considered to be useful as a taxonomic criterion at least within certain groups of bacteria (75,173,358,428). During the past five years many more peptidoglycan types have been elucidated in detailed studies (109,279,333).…”

Structural Determinants Defining the Allosteric Inhibition of an Essential Antibiotic Target

“…Indeed, the current dogma suggests that DHDPS from Gram-negative bacteria are inhibited by lysine (Bakhiet et al, 1984;Devenish et al, 2009;Dobson et al, 2005b;Joerger et al, 2003;Kaur et al, 2011;Laber et al, 1992;Skovpen and Palmer, 2013;Soares da Costa et al, 2010;Tam et al, 2004;Yugari and Gilvarg, 1965); whereas the enzymes from Gram-positive bacteria are insensitive to allosteric regulation (Burgess et al, 2008a;Cahyanto et al, 2006;Cremer et al, 1988;Domigan et al, 2009;Halling and Stahly, 1976;Voss et al, 2010;Webster and Lechowich, 1970;Yamakura et al, 1974). The lack of lysine sensitivity in Gram-positive bacteria has been attributed to the high lysine content of their cell walls (Slade and Slamp, 1962).…”