Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Envelope mutation promoting autolysis in Salmonella typhimurium

  • Published:
Molecular and General Genetics MGG Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Two strains independently isolated in Salmonella typhimurium display abnormal autolytic activity when nutrient broth becomes alkaline. They also show increased sensitivity to deoxycholate, EDTA, and sodium dodecyl sulfate. Response to acridine orange remains normal. In both strains a single stable mutation is responsible for all the changes. The same gene, called envD, appears to be involved in both mutant strains. envD has been located at minute 33 of the Salmonella genetic map, between markers sucA and nadA, very close to the latter.

envD also affects morphological characteristics of the cells. Many mutant cells are shorter than wild type bacteria, and appear frequently associated in short chains of 4 to 10 cells. Furthermore, envD mutants display division by septation under conditions that preclude its observation in wild type strains.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Antón, D.N.: Histidine regulatory mutants in Salmonella typhimurium. V. Two new classes of histidine regulatory mutants. J. molec. Biol. 33, 533–546 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Antón, D.N.: Osmotic-sensitive mutant of Salmonella typhimurium. J. Bact. 109, 1273–1283 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boro, H., Brenchley, J.E.: A new generalized transducing phage for Salmonella typhimurium LT2. Virology 45, 835–836 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Braun, V., Bosch, V., Hantke, K., Schaller, K.: Structure and biosynthesis of functionally defined areas of the Escherichia coli outer membrane. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 235, 66–82 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan, D.P., Beckman, M.M.: Mutant of Bacillus subtilis demonstrating the requirement of lysis for growth. J. Bact. 105, 629–636 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Forsberg, C.W., Rogers, H.J.: Autolytic enzymes in growth of bacteria. Nature (Lond.) 229, 272–273 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghuysen, J.M., Tipper, D.J., Strominger, J.L.: Enzymes that degrade bacterial cell wall. In: Methods in enzymology (E.F. Neufeld and V. Ginsburg, eds.), vol. 8, p. 685–699, New York-London: Academic Press 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilleland Jr., H.E., Murray, R.G.E.: Demontration of cell division by septation in a variety of gram-negative rods. J. Bact. 121, 721–725 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellenberger, E., Ryter, A., Séchaud, J.: Electron microscope study of DNA-containing plasms. II. Vegetative and mature phage DNA as compared with normal bacterial nucleoids in different physiological states. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 671–690 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Langley, D., Guest, J.R.: Biochemical and genetic characteristics of deletion and other mutant strains of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 lacking α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex activities. J. gen. Microbiol. 82, 319–335 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, H.H., Lehmann, R., Herzog, U., Kaul, U.: Altered rigid layer composition in cell envelopes of shape-defective forms of Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 235, 283–293 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Normark, S., Boman, H.G., Bloom, G.D.: Cell division in a chainforming envA mutant of Escherichia coli K12. Acta path. microbiol. scand. 79B, 651–664 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodolakis, A., Thomas, P., Starka, J.: Morphological mutants of Escherichia coli. Isolation and ultrastructure of a chain-forming envC mutant. J. gen. Microbiol. 75, 409–416 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanderson, K.E.: Linkage map of Salmonella typhimurium. Edit. IV. Bact. Rev. 36, 558–586 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanderson, K.E., Ross, H., Ziegler, L., Mäkelä, P.H.: F+, Hfr, and F′ strains of Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella abony. Bact. Rev. 36, 608–637 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shockman, G.D., Martin, J.T.: Autolytic enzyme system of Streptococcus faecalis. IV. Electron microscopic observations of autolysin and lysozyme action. J. Bact. 96, 1803–1810 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shockman, G.D., Thompson, J.S., Conover, M.J.: The autolytic enzyme system of Streptococcus faecalis. II. Partial characterization of the autolysin and its substrate. Biochemistry 6, 1054–1065 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Steed, P., Murray, R.G.E.: The cell wall and cell division of gramnegative bacteria. Canad. J. Microbiol. 12, 263–270 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, A.L., Trotter, C.D.: Linkage map of Escherichia coli strain K12. Bact. Rev. 36, 504–524 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogel, H.J., Bonner, D.M.: Acetyl-ornithinase of Escherichia coli: partial purification and some properties. J. biol. Chem. 218, 97–106 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, F.E.: Autolytic enzyme associated with cell walls of Bacillus subtilis. J. biol. Chem. 241, 3462–3467 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Radiobiología, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Dora N. Antón & Luis V. Orce

Authors
  1. Dora N. Antón
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Luis V. Orce
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by H. Böhme

Career Investigator of the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Antón, D.N., Orce, L.V. Envelope mutation promoting autolysis in Salmonella typhimurium . Molec. Gen. Genet. 144, 97–105 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00277311

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00277311

Keywords

Search

Navigation