Open AccessBacteriocin from Actinomyces odontolyticus with Temperature-Dependent Killing Properties
Author(s) -
Colin K. Franker,
C Herbert,
Stuart Ueda
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.07
H-Index - 259
eISSN - 1070-6283
pISSN - 0066-4804
DOI - 10.1128/aac.12.3.410
Subject(s) - bacteriocin , pronase , actinomyces , trypsin , deoxyribonuclease , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , chemistry , ribonuclease , biology , biochemistry , enzyme , antimicrobial , rna , genetics , gene
A strain ofActinomyces odontolyticus , originally isolated from human dental plaque, produced a non-dialyzable, trypsin-sensitive substance that was bactericidal for certain strains of bifidobacteria at 42°C but not at 37°C. Detectable quantities of the bacteriocin were not produced in liquid media. Experimentally useful yields were obtained by extraction from pour plate cultures of producer cells. At 42°C, exponential killing did not occur until indicator cells had doubled at least once. At 37°C, the bacteriocin effected a transient bacteriostasis. Partially purified concentrates were obtained by diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography, and such material was not inactivated by ribonuclease, deoxyribonuclease, or lipase. Pronase, trypsin, and exposure to 100°C for 20 min completely abolished activity. Inhibitory activity was considerably reduced by exposure to a pH of either 3 or 11. Treatment of producer cells with curing agents did not induce a high frequency of non-bacteriocinogenic cells. The odontolyticin was adsorbed by susceptible, as well as resistant, bacteria.