SAF, a new cell aggregation factor produced by Streptomyces murinus strain No. A-2805.

Abstract

Wesearched for a new cell aggregation factor, and found one we called SAFin the mycelia ofa strain of Streptomyces murinus. SAFwas purified by active carbon and ion exchange column chromatographies and gel filtration of Sepharose 2B from the homogenized mycelia by sonication. SAF was stable from pH 7 to 9 at 37°C and up to 40°C at pH 8.0. The aggregation activity of SAF was maximumaround pH 8.0 at 30°C, and the factor required for its activity metallic ions such as calcium and manganese. The aggregation activity of SAF was inhibited by laminarin, but it was not influenced by various other saccharides. SAFaggregated E. coli, S. aureus, M. luteus, sarcoma 1 80, and HeLa cells as well as S. marcescens, above all, its highest activity was toward B. subtilis, but P. vulgaris, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, each type of humanerythrocytes, and hepatoma 109Acells were quite resistant to SAF. These properties has proved that SAF is completely different from the other aggregation factors so far reported.