Stabilization and polysaccharide storage in group A Streptococcus pyogenes.

Abstract

Water-shock treatment of group A Streptococcus pyogenes released a mixture of nucleotide-like substances and small amounts of protein. The amount of protein was much less than found with osmotic shock of Gram-negative bacteria. In group A S. pyogenes the osmolytes released exhibited as much as a 6-fold change in respect to different growth phases. Osmolyte release was dependent on the stabilization agent used and independent of cellular metabolic activity. The released osmolytes were found to be required for optimal intracellular iodophilic polysaccharide (IPS) storage. Stabilization of washing solutions, and IPS storage medium with metabolically inert non-ionic organic compounds prevented osmolyte loss and enhanced IPS storage. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyethyleneglycol (MW greater than 1000) exhibited the same protective effects as found with calf serum. Smaller non-ionic organic compounds provided similar protective action but the bacteria were more susceptible to osmotic stress.