ANTIGENIC ANALYSIS OF CELL STRUCTURES ISOLATED FROMBACILLUS MEGATERIUM

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Abstract
A comparative antigenic analysis, by means of a quantitative complement-fixation test, was made on the major cell structures and some subcomponents both in situ and isolated from Bacillus megaterium strain KM: capsular polypeptide, flagella, cell walls, cell wall polysaccharide and polypeptide, protoplasts, protoplast (cytoplasmic) membranes, intracellular granules, and nuclear cores. The following general conclusions were drawn from direct and reciprocal reactions between complete and adsorbed antisera to these fractions: 1. Injection of the intact cell stimulates the formation of antibody to each of the compo-nent structures; 2. The isolated cell structures are antigenically distinct, with the probable exception of common antigens in the capsules and walls and in the flagella and protoplasts; 3. The reactive surface antigens of the intact cell are structurally identified with the cell wall and primarily with its polysaccharide; and 4. Antibody globulin does not penetrate the cell wall.