Secretion of lipids induced by inhibition of peptidoglycan synthesis in streptococci. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Inhibition of peptidoglycan synthesis causes an immediate and massive secretion of both newly synthesized and "old" lipids from several species of bacteria, including streptococci, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Bacillus subtilis. Lipid secretion occurs in the absence of detectable bacterial lysis. This novel phenomenon was examined in more detail in three strains of streptococci: S. sanguis (group H), S. pyogenes (group A), And S. pneumoniae. The secretion of lipids is specifically induced by inhibitors of peptidoglycan synthesis; it is not caused by inhibitors of protein, ribonucleic acid, or deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis. The occurrence appears to be reversible since penicillin-induced secretion comes to a halt upon the timely addition of penicillinase, correlating with resumption of culture growth. All cellular lipids are secreted in essentially the same proportions as those found in the drug treated bacteria. It is suggested that continued peptidoglycan synthesis may be essential for the integration and retention of lipid material in the plasma membrane.

publication date

  • November 1, 1977

Research

keywords

  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Peptidoglycan
  • Streptococcus

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC221914

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0017742167

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1128/jb.132.2.704-717.1977

PubMed ID

  • 21168

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 132

issue

  • 2