Quantitative analysis of the elemental composition and the mass of bacterial polyphosphate bodies using STEM EDX.

The quantitative analysis of laboratory grown organisms (Plectonema boryanum and Staphylococcus aureus) revealed that a typical in vivo polyphosphate body (PPB) contains O (4.3 x 10(-8) microg), C (1.2 x 10(-8) microg), P (6.7 x 10(-9) microg), Mg (1.3 x 10(-9) microg), Ca (6.7 x 10(-10) microg), K (6.7 x 10(-10) microg), Fe (6.0 x 10(-10) microg), S (5.4 x 10(-10) microg) and Al (5.9 x 10(-10) microg). Quantitative X-ray analysis of samples from nature showed PPB contain O (1.63 x 10(-8) microg), C (4.75 x 10(-9) microg), P (2.50 x 10(-9) microg), Mg (5.0 x 10(-10) microg), Ca (2.50 x 10(-10) microg), K (2.50 x 10(-10) microg), Fe (2.25 x 10(-10) microg) and S (2.0 x 10(-10) microg). The mass of an average polyphosphate body was 6.7 x 10(-8) microg for P. boryanum, 2.5 x 10(-8) microg for S. aureus and for microbes from the natural environment 6.3 x 10(-8) microg. The results indicate that the PPB may have other unknown functions in addition to essential element storage, acting as a detoxification method by sequestering heavy metals and providing a homeostasis system in the cell.

An electron microscopic study of picoplanktonic organisms from a Small Lake.

Picoplankton, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, are distinguished from other aquatic organisms by their small size (0.1-2.0 µm). Such organisms were recovered from waters of a small oligotrophic lake using screens, filters, and high-speed centrifugation. The majority of the picoplankton were unable to form visible colonies on common media. Cells examined in thin sections by electron microscopy showed that 60-75% of the cells had an average diameter after dehydration of 0.48-0.51 µm. The maximum dimensions of the rest of the cells ranged from 0.56-1.81 µm. Using details of ultrastructure, cells were classified as prokaryotic or eukaryotic. Phototrophs present included two cyanobacterial morphotypes (5-6%) and two eukaryotic algae (less than I%). The arrays of intracytoplasmic membranes in 18-20% of the cells were suggestive of methanotrophic rods and chemoautotrophs. Relatively few prosthecate bacteria were observed in the water column samples. The smallest cells (1-2%) contained magnetosomes, the presence of which were confirmed by x-ray spectroscopy. Iron was also detected in the envelopes of some rod shaped cells by the same technique. The study of in situ picoplankton populations using TEM coupled with other techniques may provide better understanding of picoplankton biomass.

Major antigens in Methylobacterium species and their location in cells using immuno-electron microscopic methods.

This work is a first step in the development of a specific probe for the study of the distribution and colonization of leaf surfaces by pink-pigmented, facultatively methylotrophic (PPFM) bacteria of the genus Methylobacterium. A polyclonal antiserum was produced in rabbits against whole cells of PPFM strain PC1, isolated from surfaces of white clover leaves. Major heat labile antigens were found in extracts of sonicated cells using the Ouchterlony double diffusion method. Very small amounts of a heat stable antigen were also observed. The major antigens were found in extracts of each of fifteen PPFM strains tested but were not found in extracts of other clover heterotrophs nor in extracts of other methylotrophs tested. The distribution of antigens in ultrathin sections of PPFM cells was investigated using PC1 antisera and gold labelled protein A. Gold particles were seen mainly in the outermost layer of the homologous strain, but isolated and washed cell envelopes of strain PC1 like other strains retained very little antigen. Sections of other PPFM strains showed the major antigens were located mainly in the cytoplasm.

Transport of maltose by Pseudomonas fluorescens W.

The system for uptake of maltose in Pseudomonas fluorescens W was inducible. Using a mutant strain unable to hydrolyze maltose, it was shown that maltose was taken up unaltered against a concentration gradient. Uptake of 14C maltose was only significantly inhibited by nonradioactive maltose or maltotriose. These were the only sugars that could displace accumulated radioactive maltose in the strain unable to hydrolyze maltose. Uptake exhibited saturation kinetics and was inhibited by energy poisons, indicating that this system was one of active transport. Sulfhydryl-binding reagents reversibly inhibited maltose uptake. No transport ability was lost when cells were subjected to osmotic shock. Using the protein-binding dye 7-diazonium-1, 3-naphthalene disulfonate a protein or proteins located in or external to the cell membrane was implicated in maltose transport. The hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-glucoside (PNPG) was used as an indirect measure of transport ability since penetration of PNPG, not its hydrolysis, was the rate-limiting step.

Partial purification and characterization of alpha-glucosidase from Pseudomonas fluorescens W.

The alpha-glucosidase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20) of Pseudomonas fluorescens W was partially purified by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, Sephadex G-200 and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. The enzyme showed great specificity for maltose hydrolysis, with very little action against polymeric forms. Sucrose, isomaltose, alpha-methylglucoside, and maltobionic acid were not hydrolyzed. Turanose was a strong competitive inhibitor, and glucose a weaker one. Tris (2-amino-2-hydroxymethylpropan-1:3-diol) inhibited enzyme activity significantly only at alkaline pH. Mercuric, cupric, and silver cations strongly inhibited, and EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetate) weakly inhibited the enzyme. The isolated enzyme was rather unstable even at 4 degrees C, and was destroyed by freezing and lyophilization. Inositol and albumin had a slightly protective effect. Sulfhydryl-binding reagents strongly inhibited the enzyme.

Maltose metabolism of Pseudomonas fluorescens.

Pseudomonas fluorescens W uses maltose exclusively by hydrolyzing it to glucose via an inducible alpha-glucosidase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20). No evidence for phosphorolytic cleavage or oxidation to maltobionic acid was found in this organism. The alpha-glucosidase was totally intracellular and was most active at pH of 7.0. Induction occurred when cells were incubated with maltotriose or maltose. Induction was rapid and easily detectable within the first 5 min after the addition of the inducer. Glucose and its derivatives did not repress induction. Cells growing on DL-alanine or succinate plus maltose exhibited lower levels of alpha-glucosidase than those grown on maltose alone or maltose plus glucose. Induction required both messenger ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis.

Enhancement of adhesion of the marine Chlorella vulgaris to glass.

The adhesion of washed cells of a marine Chlorella vulgaris to solid surfaces was enhanced by non-diffusible material recovered from Chlorella exudate, marine bacterial cultures, natural seawater, and fouled marine surfaces. Materials isolated from certain bacterial cultures and from particulate materials filtered from seawater were three orders of magnitude more active than Chlorella exudate per unit weight. Active polymer materials from several sources were chromatographed on DEAE cellulose. The major fraction eluted with dilute base contained both protein and carbohydrate and enhanced adhesion more than the unchromatographed material.

Effect of enzymes on the composition and structure of Chromobacterium violaceum cell envelopes.

Cell envelopes of Chromobacterium violaceum were isolated and treated under controlled conditions with trypsin, Pronase, lipase, phospholipase C, lysozyme, and a mixture of enzymes produced by a bacteriolytic Pseudomonas sp. After each enzyme treatment, losses in dry weight, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, 2,6-diaminopimelic acid, and total phosphorus were determined. Electron-microscopic examination of the enzyme-treated envelopes indicated complete or partial loss of envelope rigidity or some envelope fragmentation, or both. Each enzyme hydrolyzed at least one envelope component and liberated several others into the supernatant fluid, where they appeared as nondialyzable particulate components, identified by means of electron microscopy. Unlike the other enzymes, the Pseudomonas sp. enzyme mixture partially liberated all major envelope components except phosphorus, heptose, and 2-keto-3-deoxy octonic acid. In spite of these large losses, the envelopes preserved some features of their integrity and elongated shape.

Beta-cyanoalanine formation by Chromobacterium violaceum.

Nonproliferating cells of Chromobacterium violaceum incubated with glycine, methionine, and succinate as substrates accumulated beta-cyanoalanine in the culture fluid. Tracer experiments showed that carbons-2, -3, and -4 of beta-cyanoalanine are derived from the 2-carbon of glycine. When methionine-methyl-(14)C, succinate-1,4-(14)C, or succinate-2,3-(14)C was used as substrate, beta-cyanoalanine did not become labeled. If K(14)CN and serine were used as substrates, the cyano group of beta-cyanoalanine was labeled. Radioactive beta-cyanoalanine, labeled in the 3-carbon, was formed when glycine and H(14)CHO were used as substrates. (14)C-formic acid did not replace formaldehyde. Asparagine also accumulated in the incubated mixture and was found to be labeled in the amide carbon. Incubation of cells with beta-cyanoalanine-4-(14)C produced labeled aspartic acid in cell hydrolysates.

Effect of cold temperatures on the viability of Chromobacterium violaceum.

The effect of low, nonfreezing temperatures on the viability of five strains of Chromobacterium violaceum was studied. The viability of cultures grown at 30 C was determined after exposure to various diluents held at 0 to 2 C. A culture diluted at its growth temperature served as the control. Cells of strain N were most sensitive in the early part of the exponential phase of growth. Cells of strains 252 and 341 were most sensitive in the late exponential, early stationary phase of growth. Cells of strain 9 showed greatest loss of viability during the maximal stationary phase. Strain 69 was completely resistant throughout its growth cycle to cold injury. Cell viability was much greater in buffered salts solution than in distilled water, broth, or physiological saline, whether cultures were diluted at room temperature or in the cold. The proportion of cells surviving after exposure to cold, however, was the same regardless of the composition of the diluent. Loss of viability was progressive at 0 to 2 C and reached a maximum after 2 hr. There was no loss of viability of cells exposed to 20 C, but there was some loss at 12 C. Strain 341 cultivated at 15 C was much less sensitive to 0 to 2 C than when it was cultivated at 30 C. The composition of the growth medium seemed to have no effect on the survival of cells exposed to cold. The polyamines, spermine and trimethylenediamine, as well as erythritol and sucrose, exerted some protective action against the effects of cold but not uniformly for all strains studied.