EFFECT OF PH ON THE FORMATION OF EXOCELLULAR NUCLEASE IN AGING BROTH CULTURES OF SERRATIA MARCESCENS

Eaves, George N. (Wayne State University College of Medicine, Detroit, Mich.) and Charles D. Jeffries. Effect of pH on the formation of exocellular nuclease in aging broth cultures of Serratia marcescens. J. Bacteriol. 85:1194-1196. 1963.-The formation of exocellular nuclease by Serratia marcescens occurred in the stationary phase of growth and was not associated with cell multiplication. An increase in specific enzymatic activity until the phase of autolysis suggested the selective secretion of the exocellular nuclease. The amount of enzyme accumulated was dependent upon the final pH attained by the culture medium, which was, in turn, related to the initial pH of the medium. The production of this nuclease was greatly favored by an alkaline pH.