Neuraminidase and Other Enzymes of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae as Possible Pathogenic Factors

Abstract

Studies on the Enzymatic Equipment of Erysipelothrix Hyaluronidase was detected in Erysipelothrix and discussed as a spreading factor some years ago [1]. Our latest investigations revealed the existence of aminopeptidases specific against L-lysine, L-arginine, L-alanine, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan, and L-methionine. Furthermore, a chymotrypsine-like enzyme splits N-benzoyl-DL-phenylalanine-2-naphthylamide, whereas N-(3-carboxypropionyl)-phenylalanine-p-nitroanilide is not split. The pathogenic role of these enzymes has been unclear up to now. There is, however, some evidence of a damaging action in the infected host (Müller, in preparation). Our studies concentrated on neuraminidase [2, 3]. This enzyme is found in many pathogenic but only in a few apathogenic bacteria, as shown in Table 1.