PROPERTIES OF THE PENICILLIN BINDING COMPONENT OF MICROCOCCUS PYOGENES

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Abstract
Cell-free extracts of alumina-ground M. pyogenes var. aureus strain H bind (inactivate) penicillin as detd. by microbiological assay. This binding, similar in magnitude to that of whole cells (approx. 0.8 [mu] of S35 benzyl penicillin. /g. of wet cells) occurs rapidly, is independent of the penicillin concn. and appears to result from reaction with the same agent responsible for whole cell binding. Extracts of penicillin treated, washed cells do not bind penicillin. Treatment of whole cells with a no. of penicillin derivatives does not prevent whole cell binding of penicillin. However, a prepn. of benzyl penicillenic acid (2-benzyl-4-penicillimino methylene-5(4) oxazolone) does cause appreciable inhibition of binding. An actual uptake of S35 may be demonstrated when cells are exposed to a 10-9 [image] S35 penicillenic acid prepn. Dimercaptopropanol (BAL) and cyanide at the 0.1 [image] level cause appreciable inhibition of whole cell penicillin binding. Other inhibitors exert no significant effect on this binding. The BAL inhibition may be relieved completely by aeration or treatment of the cells with dilute solns. of Cu++, Co++ or Mn++ ions.