EFFECT OF SALINE ON RELEASABILITY OF ALKALINE-PHOSPHATASE FROM CELLS OF SERRATIA-MARCESCENS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 15  (61-6) , 165-175
Abstract
The effect of 0.9% NaCl solution on the release of alkaline phosphatases [EC 3.1.3.1] from cells of 4 strains of S. marcescens was studied. Saline had a greater action in the releasability of the enzyme on cells of the polymyxin B sensitive strains than those of the polymyxin B resistant strains. SDS[sodium dodecyl sulfate]-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the released materials showed the presence of proteins and lipopolysaccharide components of the outer membrane and enzyme activity in all 4 strains. Cells from strains harvested under higher temperatures contained more releasable activity in the saline wash fraction than those harvested under refrigerated condition. Active components with MW of 190,000 and 110,000 daltons were absent or present to a lesser degree in the extracts released by the polymyxin B treatment of the washed cells. Active components not released by saline were found in the polymyxin B extracts. The ubiquitous nature of alkaline phosphatases in S. marcescens is clearly indicated. Their releasability is probably related to the polymyxin B susceptibility and the instability of the outer membrane of the cell envelope.