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Biomedical subjects

E Merdinger

Publications and source records attributed to E Merdinger.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Coordinative binding of divalent cations with ligands related to bacterial spores. Equilibrium studies.

It has been repeatedly postulated that the high heat resistance of bacterial spores is due to stabilization of biopolymers in the spore interior by a solid deposit of protective cement consisting of coordination complexes of ligands with divalent metal ions. This report presents data on metal-binding characteristics of some of the ligands related to spores as determined by means of potentiometric equilibrium measurements under conditions of temperature and ionic strength (t = 25.0 degrees C; mu = 1.0 KNO(3)) identical with those reported earlier by the authors in order to facilitate correlation by using comparable data. The spore ligands investigated in this study included 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (DPA), alpha,epsilon-diaminopimelic acid, D-glutamic acid, and D-alanine in a ratio of 1:1 with metal ions which are known to play a role in heat resistance of spores. Stability constants of the chelates of these spore ligands with metal ions such as Ca(II), Mg(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), and Mn(II) have been determined. In general the metal chelates of DPA exhibited the greatest stability. On the basis of a consideration of the stability data together with the known configurations of the ligand and the coordination requirements of the metal ions, possible structures indicating the coordinate binding of the spore ligands with the metal ions are presented. All the metal chelates except those of Ca(II) were found to undergo hydrolysis and separation of solid phase in the pH range 7-8.5. The relatively greater hydrolytic stability of Ca(II) chelates and the high affinity of DPA for metal ions appear to be of biological significance insofar as these two spore components are more widely associated with the heat resistance of bacterial spores.

Alanine↗

Isolation and identification of trehalase from Pullularia pullulans.

Trehalase has been isolated from Pullularia pullulans. The enzyme, which is specific for trehalose, was purified approximately 800-fold. The optimal pH was found to be 4.0 and the Michaelis dissociation constant, K(m), was determined to be 3.2 x 10(-3)m.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗

Utilization of n-alkanes by Pullularia pullulans.

Pullularia pullulans was tested for its ability to utilize a series of n-alkanes for growth. It utilized hydrocarbons containing higher C-numbers (13, 14, 16, and 18) to a greater degree than those containing lower numbers; in addition, an induction phenomenon was noted. Gas-liquid and thin-layer chromatography of ether extracts of the growth media revealed that oleic and palmitic acids were formed from tridecane, tetradecane, hexadecane, and octadecane.

Alkanes↗

Effects of topical anesthetics on Pullalaria pullulans and Debaryomyces hansenii.

The inhibitory effects of three topical anesthetics of various concentrations on the growth of Pullularia pullulans, Debaryomyces hansenii, and on pigment production by P. pullulans were investigated. The topical anesthetics were benoxinate hydrochloride, proparacaine hydrochloride, and tetracaine hydrochloride. In decreasing order, the inhibiting effects of the drugs on growth were benoxinate, tetracaine, and proparacaine for P. pullulans, and tetracaine, benoxinate, and proparacaine for D. hansenii. The pigment formation in P. pullulans was inhibited by the three drugs.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Chemistry and end-group analysis on purified M protein of type 12 group A streptococcal cell walls.

M protein was extracted from the cell walls of streptococci by use of both acidic and alkaline buffers. These extracts were further purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and column chromatography. Both diethylaminoethyl and carboxymethyl celluloses were employed to cover the pH range of 3.0 to 9.0. All of the M proteins isolated were immunologically related, but their physical and chemical properties varied dependent upon the pH range of isolation. Each isolate appeared to be homogeneous on the basis of immunodiffusion analysis, electrophoretic mobility, and ultracentrifugal analysis, but their amino acid analyses differed slightly. Two factors were shared by all isolates: (i) they all reacted with type-specific antisera and (ii) each seemed to have l-lysine as a single N-terminal amino acid.

Amino Acids↗

Uptake of glucose-l-14C by Pullularia pullulans.

Pullularia pullulans cells were grown in a medium containing yeast extract, malt extract, glucose, and nutrient salts, in addition to glucose-1-(14)C. The lipids extracted from the cells were fractionated by use of a single column packed with silicic acid. Of the total radioactive carbon added to the culture medium, the neutral lipid fractions contained 24.8%, whereas the phospholipid portions contained only 2.1%. The largest amount (16.5%) of (14)C among the neutral lipids was found in the fraction containing the free sterols. Among the phospholipids, the largest amount (1.1%) was found in phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine. The second largest amount (9.6%) of the total (14)C used was found in trehalose, followed by carbon dioxide (7.3%).

Carbon Isotopes↗

Distribution of C-14 from glucose-1-C-14 in the lipid fractions of Debaryomyces hansenii.

Merdinger, Emanuel (Roosevelt University, Chicago, Ill.), and Rosalind H. Frye. Distribution of C(14) from glucose-1-C(14) in the lipid fractions of Debaryomyces hansenii. J. Bacteriol. 91:1831-1833. 1966.-Debaryomyces hansenii cells were grown in a medium containing yeast extract, malt extract, glucose, sodium chloride, and nutrient salts, to which glucose-1-C(14) was added. The lipids extracted from the cells were fractionated by use of a single column packed with silicic acid. Of the total C(14) added to the culture medium, the neutral lipid fractions contained 21.06% while the phospholipid portions contained only 0.89%. The highest amount of C(14) among the neutral lipids was found in the fraction containing the hydrocarbons (11.64%). Among the phospholipids, the highest amount (0.66%) was found in phosphatidyl serine and phosphatidyl ethanolamine.

Carbon Isotopes↗