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Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates
Published on: November 23, 2016
A COMPARATIVE METHOD FOR TESTING THE ENZYMES OF LIVING HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI : I. LIPASE
1Department of Surgery of Peking Union Medical College, Peking, China.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
This study quantifies hemolytic streptococcus lipolytic enzyme activity. Optimal activity occurs in actively growing organisms at 37.5°C, decreasing with higher temperatures or heat exposure.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Enzymology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hemolytic streptococcus possesses lipolytic activity.
- Understanding this activity is crucial for studying streptococcal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively compare the lipolytic enzyme activity of hemolytic streptococcus under various conditions.
- To investigate factors influencing the enzyme's activity and stability.
Main Methods:
- Measuring acid production from ethyl butyrate as an indicator of lipolytic activity.
- Assessing activity in relation to organism concentration, temperature, and heat exposure.
- Evaluating the effect of increased organism virulence on lipolytic action.
Main Results:
- Lipolytic activity is highest in 4-8 hour cultures and directly proportional to organism concentration.
- Optimal activity observed at 37.5°C; activity decreases at 50°C and is absent at 62°C.
- Heating to 55°C for 10 minutes delays activity, while 30 minutes destroys both organisms and activity.
Conclusions:
- Hemolytic streptococcus lipolytic activity is dependent on organism viability and specific temperature ranges.
- Increased virulence does not correlate with enhanced lipolytic activity.
- The enzyme's role in subcutaneous fat predilection in infections remains unexplained by increased ferment levels.
