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Published on: July 28, 2016
Effect of Medium on H(2)O(2) Levels and Peroxidase-Like Activity by Mycoplasma pneumoniae
1Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Abstract:
H(2)O(2) levels accumulated by Mycoplasma pneumoniae can be influenced by carbon source, different horse sera, yeast extract, thallium acetate, or growth in a simplified, dialyzed medium. Thus, increased levels of H(2)O(2) were detected by growth in glycerol, by omission of thallium acetate, and by the use of dialyzed medium. The ability of M. pneumoniae in the presence of glucose, but not with fructose, mannose, or glycerol, to remove both endogenous and exogenous H(2)O(2) suggests an inducible peroxidase similar to bacterial enzymes in streptococci. This peroxidase-like activity is in turn influenced by the complex interplay of medium components, explaining perhaps some of the variability of H(2)O(2) accumulations observed with glucose. A survival value has been suggested for this "peroxidase-like" activity.
Insights
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae can accumulate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
- Factors influencing H2O2 accumulation are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors affecting H2O2 levels in M. pneumoniae.
- To characterize the H2O2 scavenging activity in M. pneumoniae.
Main Methods:
- Culturing M. pneumoniae in various media with different carbon sources and supplements.
- Measuring H2O2 levels using quantitative assays.
- Assessing H2O2 removal capabilities in the presence of different sugars.
Main Results:
- Glycerol, omission of thallium acetate, and dialyzed medium increased H2O2 levels.
- M. pneumoniae removed H2O2 in the presence of glucose, suggesting an inducible peroxidase.
- This activity was influenced by medium components and varied with glucose.
Conclusions:
- Medium composition significantly impacts H2O2 accumulation in M. pneumoniae.
- M. pneumoniae possesses an inducible peroxidase-like activity, particularly with glucose.
- This activity may confer a survival advantage.
