ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF THE COELOMIC FLUID OF THE POLYCHAETE,GLYCERA DIBRANCHIATA.I. THE KINETICS OF THE BACTERICIDAL REACTION

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Abstract
The kinetics of the bactericidal action of cell-free coelomic fluid from Glycera dibranchiata on a Gram-negative bacterium, Serratia marcescens, were studied using both a turbidometric growth assay and a direct plating assay. The bactericidal reaction consisted of two stages involving an initial rapid binding to the bacterial surface, followed by a slower killing reaction. The first stage required the presence of divalent cations and was slightly temperature-dependent. In contrast, the rate of the second stage was accelerated at temperatures normally optimal for multiplication of the bacteria. Kinetic studies and an analysis of the dose-response curve at low concentrations indicated that three or four hits by the bactericidal factor are required to kill a bacterium.

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