Abstract
MANY biologically produced substances are known to lyse living micro-organisms. Among them, lysozyme has been studied most extensively for the mechanism of its action, and it has been shown that this action is the dissolution of cell wall, probably the hydrolysis of mucopolysaccharide contained in it1. Studies on the action of autolytic enzymes, on the other hand, are few, and their site of action has not hitherto been known. Recently, one of us observed very rapid autolysis of amylase-producing strains of Bacillus subtilis 2 and isolated an autolytic substance(s) from the lysate3. Studies on this autolytic substance(s) have shown that it lyses the cell wall.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Salton, M. R. J., Nature, 170, 746 (1952). Meyer, K., Palmer, J. W., Thompson, R., and Khorazo, D., J. Biol. Chem., 113, 479 (1936).
Nomura, M., J. Agric. Chem. Soc. Japan, 29, 674 (1955).
Nomura, M., J. Agric. Chem. Soc. Japan, 29, 678 (1955).
Weibull, C., J. Bact., 66, 688 (1953).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
NOMURA, M., HOSODA, J. Action of an Autolytic Enzyme of Bacillus subtilis on the Cell Wall. Nature 177, 1037 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1038/1771037a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1771037a0
This article is cited by
-
Autolysis ofBacillus subtilis by glucose depletion
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1963)
-
Some remarks on autolysis ofPseudomonas aeruginosa
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1960)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.