Substitution of lysine for arginine in the N-terminal 217th amino acid residue of the H gamma II of Staphylococcal gamma-hemolysin lowers the activity of the toxin.

The staphylococcal toxin gamma-hemolysin consists of two protein components, LukF and H gamma II. Staphylococcus aureus P83 was found to have five components, LukF, LukF-PV, LukM, LukS, and H gamma II for leukocidin or gamma-hemolysin. H gamma II of S. aureus P83 was demonstrated to be a naturally-occurring analogous molecule of H gamma II [H gamma II(P83)], in which the 217th arginine residue was replaced by lysine. The H gamma II(P83) showed about 50% of the hemolytic activity of normal H gamma II in the presence of LukF.

Existence of a new protein component with the same function as the LukF component of leukocidin or gamma-hemolysin and its gene in Staphylococcus aureus P83.

Staphylococcal toxins, leukocidin and gamma-hemolysin, consist of two protein components, i.e. LukF and LukS for leukocodin and H gamma I and H gamma II for gamma-hemolysin. From a culture fluid of Staphylococcus aureus strain P83, a new protein component of leukocidin or gamma-hemolysin which was designated as LukM was isolated. This component showed the same biological activity as that of LukF component for leukocidin or H gamma I component of gamma-hemolysin in combination with LukS or H gamma II. However, the LukM component cross-reacted with the anti-LukS antibodies but not with the anti-LukF antibodies. On the basis of chemical analysis of the LukM component and the cloning and nucleotide sequencing of the lukM gene of S. aureus P83, we have demonstrated that LukM is an entirely new protein component of leukocidin or gamma-hemolysin. The deduced amino acid sequence of LukM from the lukM gene showed 66.7% and 67% identity to that of LukS and H gamma II, respectively. However, the amino acid sequence of LukM and LukF showed only 29% homology.

Isolation, identification and growth conditions of photosynthetic bacteria found in seafood processing wastewater.

Four photosynthetic bacteria, isolated from 14 samples taken from seafood processing plants, were identified as species of Rhodocyclus gelatinosus, belonging to the purple, non-sulphur bacteria of the family Rhodospirillaceae. Cultivation in synthetic medium under four different conditions indicated that all four strains gave maximum carotenoid and bacteriochlorophyll synthesis under anaerobic conditions in the light, with values of 11 to 12.6 and 102 to 108 mg/g dry cell wt, respectively. These values are 87% higher than the pigment content obtained from aerobic cultivation, although the cell biomass of all strains (1.7 to 2.3 g/l) was 22 to 38% higher under aerobic conditions. Protein content was always between 32 and 43%. The specific growth rates of all isolates in aerobic cultivation (0.04 to 0.06 h(-1)) were twice those in anaerobic conditions in the light. No growth occurred in anaerobic conditions in the dark.

Optimization for growth of Rhodocyclus gelatinosus in seafood processing effluents.

Tuna condensate was a better substrate than shrimp-blanching water or effluent from a frozen-seafood plant for growing Rhodocyclus gelatinosus under anaerobic conditions in the light. One strain out of four examined, R7, gave the highest biomass (4.0 g/l), cell yield (0.32 g cell/g COD), and COD removal (78%) in 1:10 (v/v) diluted tuna condensate. Shrimp-blanching water added to the tuna condensate further increased growth rate, biomass and COD removal. Optimal growth was at pH 7.0 and 3000 Lux light intensity. Acetate, pyruvate, glucose, glutamate, propionate or malate added to the tuna condensate did not increase cell yield, carotenoid or bacteriochlorophyll content or biomass protein. A maximum cell mass of 5.6 g/l (containing 50% protein) and 86% COD removal were obtained after 5 days' incubation under optimal conditions.

Characterization of proteases produced by newly isolated and identified proteolytic microorganisms from fermented fish (Budu).

Eight different strains ofBacillus were isolated from fermented fish (Budu) and their proteolytic enzyme activities were determined after 18 h cultivation at room temperature (35° C). Four isolates possessed high protease activities. Optimum pH for these enzymes was between 7.0 and 8.0 and the optimal temperature was 55° C. The proteases retained 40% of their original activity after 20 min at 55° C but lost all activity at 65° C. Three of the four isolates were identified asBacillus subtilis, the fourth asBacillus licheniformis.