Characterization of a Stable L-Form ofBacillus subtilis168

Abstract

A stable L-form of Bacillus subtilis 168 (sal-1) has been isolated which grows and divides logarithmically in liquid medium with a generation time of 60 min. This mutant does not synthesize cell wall as evidenced by chemical, biochemical, and morphological analyses. Antibiotics which specifically inhibit cell wall biosynthesis do not affect the growth of the L-form. Significant differences exist between the membrane proteins of the bacillary form and the L-form. The relative profile of membrane proteins varies with the salt concentration of the medium in both the L-form and the bacillary form.

Induction, growth and antibiotic production of Streptomyces viridifaciens L-form bacteria

“…Fast growth of the stable L-form was similar to that reported for B. subtilis e.g. t d 1á0 h (Gilpin et al 1973) and t d 0á42 h , and much faster than that achieved by Gumpert and Taubeneck (1983) for S. hygroscopicus which had a doubling time longer than 5 h. This difference can probably be attributed to the contrasting growth conditions; the L-form cultures of S. viridifaciens and B. subtilis were both shaken at speeds of 60±250 rev min )1 , while the S. hygroscopicus cultures were incubated without shaking, presumably due to the limiting supply of oxygen. A similar doubling time of 5±6 h was also obtained by Onoda et al (1987) when they monitored growth of non-shaken Escherichia coli L-form cultures.…”

Studies on the Minimum Reproducible Unit of Staphylococcal L‐Forms

“…Dienes et al (5,6,7,8) proposed that small bodies were the minimal reproducible unit using a membrane filtration technique. On the other hand, other investigators (9,12) suggested that these small bodies were not able to reproduce and L-forms reproduce by binary fission.…”

A stable L-form of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida

“…Generally, there has been a dearth of studies aimed at determining differences in the protein composition of parental cells and L-forms. Yet similar approaches using SDS-PAGE have been used by Gilpen et at. (1973) and Gilpen and Young (1986), albeit with Gram-positive bacteria.…”

“…(1973) and Gilpen and Young (1986), albeit with Gram-positive bacteria. Thus, Gilpen et al (1973) reported differences in the staining intensities of parental cells and protoplasts of Bacillus. In particular, the L-forms demonstrated proteins with a marked shift towards slower migrating, high-molecular-weight bands.…”

“…Subsequently, stable L-forms, which resulted from induction with benzylpenicillin, have been developed (Gibb and Austin 1994). Possible differences in the protein composition between parental cells and L-forms have been examined (Gilpen et al 1973 ;Gilpen and Young 1986). For example, Gilpen et ul.…”