Treponeme outer envelope: chemical analysis.

The chemical composition of the outer envelope (OE) of Treponema phagedenis biovar Kazan 5 was investigated. After cultivation in a lipid-defined medium, the OE was removed from the cells with 0.7 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate. The solubilized OE was reaggregated by dialysis against 20 mM MgCl2, washed, lyophilized, and subjected to chemical analysis. The average yield of OE was 14.6% of the whole cell (WC) dry weight. The magnesium content was 0.683 mug/mg OE. Peptidoglycan components such as muramic acid and ornithine were detected in the WC but not in the OE, and diaminopimelic acid was absent in both WC and OE. The OE contained protein (60-73%), carbohydrate (1-2%), and lipid (4-5%), primarily polar lipid. The major polar lipids were monogalactosyldiglyceride (43%) and phospholipid (57%), of which phosphatidylcholine was the main phospholipid component, with phosphatidylethanolamine present in lesser amounts.

Failure to infect gnotobiotic colostrum-deprived, and normal piglets with Treponema pallidum (Nichols).

Normal piglets kept at 16 degrees C. and gnotobiotic piglets kept at 32 degrees C. rapidly destroyed Treponema pallidum, while gnotobiotic piglets kept at 26 degrees C. showed slightly slower clearance. No infections were established. The high body temperature of the piglets has an important influence on the survival of T. pallidum.

Treponeme outer cell envelope: solubilization and reaggregation.

Exposure of the avirulent Kazan 5 treponeme to low concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate (1.4 mm) results in the solubilization of the outer envelope. Maximal reaggregation of the outer envelope preparation requires cations, and cation concentration affects both the yield and structure of the aggregates. The reaggregated outer envelope preparation can be resolubilized with the chelating agent, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, or with sodium dodecyl sulfate.