Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Seldin.
Nine new species of tailed Bacillus phages, based on morphological and physicochemical properties, are defined. Phage P10 is one of the largest viruses known. The total number of tailed Bacillus phage species is presently 33.
A recently proposed polythetic definition of virus species appears easily applicable to bacteriophages. Criteria for classification of tailed phages are evaluated. Morphology, DNA homology, and serology are the most important criteria for delineation of species, but no single criterion is satisfactory. Dot-blot hybridization and seroneutralization may suggest false relationships by detecting common sequences in the DNA of otherwise unrelated phages. Species of tailed phages can be defined by a combination of morphology and DNA homology or serology. A procedure for identification of novel phages is outlined. Phage names should include elements of host names.
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.
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.
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.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.