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Localization of Acid and Alkaline Phosphatases in Staphylococcus aureus
Author(s) -
Okabayashi Kinji,
Futai Masamitsu,
Mizuno Den'ichi
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
japanese journal of microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1348-0421
pISSN - 0021-5139
DOI - 10.1111/j.1348-0421.1974.tb00812.x
Subject(s) - spheroplast , alkaline phosphatase , membrane , enzyme , cell membrane , phosphatase , cell wall , cell fractionation , acid phosphatase , chemistry , biochemistry , staphylococcus aureus , bacteria , cell , phosphate , bacterial cell structure , biology , escherichia coli , genetics , gene
The localization of acid and alkaline phosphatases in Staphylococcus aureus was studied by fractionation of cells after treatment with the L‐11 enzyme and by electron microscopic histochemistry. The two enzyme activities were located in distinctly different positions at the surface of the cells. Acid phosphatase appeared to be localized around the cell membrane of the bacteria, because the enzyme was recovered exclusively in the membrane fraction and because deposition of lead phosphate was detected by electron microscopic histochemistry on the inner surface of the cell membrane of intact bacteria and spheroplasts. The highest specific activity of alkaline phosphatase was also associated with the membrane fraction. However, on electron microscopic histochemistry of intact cells, the deposition of lead phosphate was only seen on the outer surface of the cell wall.