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E G Penido

Publications and source records attributed to E G Penido.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Distinct groups of plasmids correlated with bacteriocin production in Staphylococcus aureus.

The genetic basis of bacteriocin (Bac) production by six strains of Staphylococcus aureus was examined. Gene transfer experiments (in which the plasmids were tagged with the erythromycin resistance transposon Tn551) and plasmid-elimination experiments by growth at 43 degrees C associated bacteriocin production with a particular plasmid in each strain. The Bac plasmids could be separated into two distinct groups: the first comprised plasmids larger than 40 kb, which did not specify immunity to bacteriocins; the second comprised small plasmids (8.0-10.4 kb) which also specified immunity to bacteriocins. The sequence relations among the small plasmids (pRJ6, pRJ9, pRJ10 and pRJ11) were investigated by comparing restriction enzyme digest patterns and by hybridization. Plasmids pRJ10 and pRJ11 were indistinguishable and very closely related to plasmid pRJ9. Plasmid pRJ6, although different from the others, shared regions of sequence homology with them. No homology was found between plasmids pRJ6 or pRJ9 and the large Bac plasmids.

Bacteriocins↗

Production of a bacteriophage, a phage tail-like bacteriocin and an antibiotic by Bacillus azotofixans.

Twenty-two nitrogen-fixing Bacillus azotofixans strains were shown to produce an inhibition zone against themselves in plate assays. The B. azotofixans type strain P3L-5, chosen for further studies, produced inhibition zones against various Bacillus strains and other bacterial genera. This antibacterial substance was also produced in liquid medium and its production was enhanced in semisolid medium (0.4% agar) after 3 to 5 days of incubation. The substance was suggested to be an antibiotic and its preliminary characterization showed resistance to heat (100 degrees C, 15 minutes), to trypsin, pronase, deoxyribonuclease I, ribonuclease A, phospholipase C, ethanol, acetone, and ether, and sensitivity to strong alkali treatment. Its molecular weight was estimated to be between 3500 to 6000. After induction of B. azotofixans P3L-5 with mitomycin C or ultraviolet light, two types of particles were detected in the lysate: one similar to a phage tail and the other, less frequent, similar to a complete bacteriophage. Lysates containing these particles showed a killing effect in some but not all B. azotofixans strains, but neither the other Bacillus species nor Micrococcus were inhibited by these lysates.

Bacillus↗

Identification of Bacillus azotofixans using API tests.

The identification of Bacillus azotofixans strains using API tests is described. Twenty-two strains were studied according to their fermentation pattern on 49 different carbohydrates. A profile of the B. azotofixans type strain is presented, together with an average profile of all strains tested. The fermentation pattern for B. azotofixans is also compared to those of the closely similar species B. polymyxa and B. macerans. These profiles may be useful for the identification of new strains.

Bacillus↗

Bacillus polymyxa bacteriophages from Brazilian soils.

Ten phages of Bacillus polymyxa were isolated from four different Brazilian soils. All were dsDNA-containing phages belonging to Bradley types A and B. Data obtained from electron microscopy and tests of resistance against physical and chemical agents showed that the isolates could be distributed among six different groups. Host range data were in agreement with this classification. When tested against 88 strains of 18 Bacillus species, these phages only infected B. polymyxa strains, thus revealing specificity for this species. Three phage groups lysed all 42 available B. polymyxa strains and are suggested for use in rapid identification of this species.

Bacillus↗

Characterization of a new Bacillus megaterium bacteriophage, MJ-1, from tropical soil.

A new Bacillus megaterium bacteriophage is characterized. It is a tailed phage with regular polyhedral head belonging to Bradley's group B. Head and tail dimensions are 56.4 and 300 nm, respectively. Lysis was restricted to strains of B. megaterium. No antigenic relationship with pumilus phage FP-1 or subtilis phage FS-1 was observed. The phage is sensitive to 60 degrees C and moderately sensitive to chloroform. The nucleic acid is double-stranded linear DNA with a G-C mole% of 38.8 and a mol wt of (53 +/- 3) X 10(6).

Bacillus megaterium↗

Constitutive erythromycin resistance plasmid in Staphylococcus aureus.

A plasmid with a molecular mass of 1.4 x 10(6) daltons has been identified in Staphylococcus aureus. This plasmid determines constitutive resistance to erythromycin and lincomycin and is the smallest naturally occurring element coding for antibiotic resistance in this species.

Chromosomes, Bacterial↗