EFFECT OF LYSOZYME ON THE CELL STRUCTURE OF ACHROMOBACTER FISCHERI

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Abstract
The effect of lysozyme on the turbidity, cell structure and luminescence of suspensions of A. fischeri was studied. A significant decrease in the turbidity of the suspension was noted when the enzyme was added. Luminescence was not inhibited by the concns. of lysozyme employed. Distinct morph. changes from the usual short rod appearance occurred at a lysozyme concn. of 2 [mu]g./ml. The Gram-stained prepns. showed an enlargement of the bacterial cell, and spheroidal and spindle cell forms were present. In a few cells, dark-staining polar bodies and clear centers were apparent. Although a complete clearing of cell suspensions exposed to lysozyme did not occur even in high concns. of enzyme, the decrease in turbidity as well as the observed microscopic changes of the cells suggested a possible lytic process. However, this does not appear to be the case, since the luminescence of such suspensions was not inhibited by lysozyme. Although definite evidence for the existence of a lysozyme substrate was not found, one might assume that the enzyme attacks a "mucopolysaccharide structure" present as a surface component of the bacterial cell, and a reduction in turbidity occurs subsequent to the removal of this hypothetical structure. If this assumption is valid, the fact that morph. changes occur with cells treated with lysozyme suggests that the enzyme, by removing the substrate barrier, alters the osmotic equilibrium of the cell.