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THE HYDROLYSIS OF HYALURONIC ACID BY BACTERIAL ENZYMES
K Meyer1, G L Hobby, E Chaffee
1Department of Ophthalmology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, the Institute of Ophthalmology and the Edward Daniels Faulkner Arthritis Clinic, Presbyterian Hospital, New York.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to prepare an enzyme that breaks down acid polysaccharides. This enzyme, found in various tissues and bacteria, may explain capsule loss in streptococci, impacting their virulence.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Acid polysaccharides are key components in various biological tissues and bacterial capsules.
- Understanding enzymes that degrade these polysaccharides is crucial for biological and medical research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe an improved method for preparing an enzyme that hydrolyzes acid polysaccharides.
- To investigate the source, properties, and cellular localization of this enzyme.
- To explore the enzyme's role in the degradation of bacterial capsules.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme preparation from various sources including bacteria (pneumococci, group A hemolytic streptococci, Clostridium welchii) and animal tissues (splenic tissue).
- Assay of specific hydrolytic activity against acid polysaccharides.
- Investigation of enzyme localization within bacterial cells and culture media.
Main Results:
- An improved enzyme preparation method was established.
- The enzyme exhibits specific activity against acid polysaccharides found in vitreous humor, umbilical cord, synovial fluid, and group A hemolytic streptococci.
- Enzyme preparations from different sources showed identical specific activity.
- The enzyme responsible for polysaccharide hydrolysis is distinct from the pneumococcal lysis enzyme.
- Enzyme localization varied: bound to cell structures in pneumococci and hemolytic streptococci, but extracellular in Clostridium welchii.
Conclusions:
- The study presents an effective method for preparing a specific acid polysaccharide-hydrolyzing enzyme.
- The enzyme's activity is linked to the disappearance of the mucoid capsule in group A hemolytic streptococci.
- Findings suggest a potential role for this enzyme in bacterial virulence and invasiveness.
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