Abstract:
Seven bacterial strains Rel-2, Rel-3, Rel-4, Rel-5, Hs-3, Hs-4, AZ-9 which exhibited Gram-negative staining behavior at 1M NaCI but variable staining behavior in some cells in simple media were the subject of this study. In the presence of IM NaCI, cell size of these strains increased and continuous culturing in salt free (0.Im) medium, predominating Gram-negative cells along with a few Gram-positive as well as some Gram-variable cells were observed. Gram-staining property of bacteria is related with some cell wall components. Hence peptidoglycan components i.e. hexosamines, di-amino pimelic acid (DAP) and teichoic acid (TA) of the bacterial walls were analyzed. Synthesis of hexosamin in the walls of all bacterial strains enhanced with the increase in medium's salinity while the synthesis of DAP was stimulated in HS-4 and AZ-9 under stress. Whereas TA was synthesized in the walls of Rel-3, Re1-4, Hs-3 (in the absence of IM NaCI) and AZ-9 (both in the presence and absence of IM NaCI; with high content in the absence of IM NaCI). We attribute Gram-negative staining property, exhibited by Gram-positive bacteria, with the altered synthesis of peptidoglycan components (teichoic acid, hexosamines) under salt stress.
Page(s):
46-55
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Biologia, Volume: 44, Issue: 1--2, Year: 1998