Lysis and protoplast formation of group B streptococci by mutanolysin

Abstract

Group B streptococci, refractory to previously tested muralysins under physiological conditions, were successfully converted to protoplasts by use of a recently describede N-acetyl muramidase, mutanolysin, derived from a streptomycete. Purified enzyme was effective, but crude preparations, although degrading cell walls, simultaneously produced peculiar effects of cytoplasmic coagulation, retention of cell shape, loss of some intracellular enzymes, and a rise in optical density. Addition of purified mutanolysin to the array of muralysins (group C streptococcal phage-associated lysin, lysozyme), previously successful in preparing protoplasts of different streptococci, now makes possible enzymatic preparation of protoplasts of streptococci of groups A, B, C. D. G, and H.