Degradation of 14C-labeled streptococcal cell walls by egg white lysozyme and lysosomal enzymes.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
The resistance of native and trypsin-treated [14C] glucose-labeled cell walls to degradation by lysozyme and human lysosomal enzymes was confirmed. In contrast, chemically N-acetylated cell walls undergo significant degradation by these enzymes in the pH range of 4.5 to 5.5 without prior removal of the group-specific carbohydrate. N-acetylation after removal of the group A carbohydrate by formamide extraction renders the cell walls considerably more susceptible to these enzymes than by formamaide extraction alone. It appears, therefore, that unless N-acetylation can occur in vivo, streptococcal cell walls are minimally degraded, if at all, by human peripheral blood leukocytes or lysozyme. Examination of leukocyte extracts from normal subjects and patients with post-streptococcal syndromes revealed no qualitative differences in ability to dissolve streptococcal cell walls.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Gallis, HA; Miller, SE; Wheat, RW
Published Date
- May 1, 1976
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 13 / 5
Start / End Page
- 1459 - 1466
PubMed ID
- 773836
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC420781
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0019-9567
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1128/iai.13.5.1459-1466.1976
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States