Open AccessInduction of Cellular Efflux by a Galactosamine Polymer from Neurospora crassa
Author(s) -
Jensen Jw,
Debusk Rm,
Debusk Ag
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1465-2080
pISSN - 1350-0872
DOI - 10.1099/00221287-130-3-557
Subject(s) - neurospora crassa , galactosamine , efflux , biochemistry , polymer , isoelectric point , chemistry , neurospora , cell membrane , membrane , biophysics , biology , gene , organic chemistry , enzyme , mutant , glucosamine
A cationic polymer of D-galactosamine was isolated from culture filtrates of a colonial temperature-sensitive strain of Neurospora crassa. Adsorption of the polymer to the cell surface initiated immediate efflux of low molecular weight metabolites and subsequent loss of viability. The polymer appeared to bind to those sites on the cell surface that normally bind calcium ions. Chemical analysis of the polymer showed it to be partially N-acetylated. The polymer had an isoelectric point of 8.4. Thirty percent of the D-galactosamine residues contained free amino groups. A rapid assay that has potential application for monitoring the effect of a variety of other membrane-active factors on membrane permeability has been developed.