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On the physiological functions of teichoic acids.

A Tomasz, M Westphal, E B Briles

    Journal of Supramolecular Structure
    |January 1, 1975
    PubMed
    Summary

    Modifying pneumococcal teichoic acids with ethanolamine analogs alters cell wall properties, revealing that detergent resistance and inhibited cell separation depend on choline presence and autolysin activity.

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    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Cell Biology
    • Biochemistry

    Background:

    • Pneumococcal teichoic acids, typically containing choline, can be biosynthetically altered.
    • Replacing choline with analogs like ethanolamine (EA) causes pleiomorphic changes in cell physiology, including resistance to lysis and inhibited cell separation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the physiological mechanisms behind detergent resistance and inhibited cell separation in pneumococci with modified teichoic acids.
    • To elucidate the role of choline and autolysin in pneumococcal cell wall integrity and division.

    Main Methods:

    • Pneumococci were grown on various amino alcohols to modify teichoic acid composition.
    • Physiological studies were conducted to assess cell wall composition, autolysin activity, lysis sensitivity, and cell morphology.
    • Kinetics of lysis sensitivity and autolysin reappearance were monitored upon reintroduction of choline.

    Main Results:

    • Pneumococcal cell walls grown on amino alcohols maintained consistent amino sugar and amino acid composition.
    • Both choline- and EA-containing teichoic acids segregated conservatively during cell growth and division.
    • Lysis sensitivity in pneumococci was linked to the co-localization of lysis-sensitive cell walls and autolysin at the growth zone.
    • Reintroducing choline to EA-grown cells restored lysis sensitivity and active autolysin with specific kinetics.
    • Ethanolamine-grown pneumococcal chains exhibited normal cross walls and fully compartmentalized cells.

    Conclusions:

    • The presence of choline in pneumococcal teichoic acids is crucial for susceptibility to detergent-induced lysis.
    • Autolysin activity and its localization are key factors in pneumococcal cell wall integrity and division.
    • Biosynthetic modification of teichoic acids provides a tool to study fundamental bacterial cell wall biology.

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