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Biomedical subjects

L J Rode

Publications and source records attributed to L J Rode.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1972

Isolation and partial chemical characterization of the spore appendages of Clostridium taeniosporum.

The spore appendages of Clostridium taeniosporum NI were removed from the spores by sonic treatment and were isolated by using discontinuous sucrose gradients. The amino acid composition of the appendages, which are elaborations of the spore coat, was similar to but not identical with the amino acid composition of the coats. Approximately 80% of the appendage dry weight was composed of 17 common amino acids, whereas 68% of the spore coat dry weight was amino acids. Mole ratios of the amino acids differed between the appendages and spore coats. The appendages contained neither diaminopimelic acid nor hydroxyproline. Glucosamine was an abundant constituent but muramic acid was absent. Approximately 10% of appendage dry weight consisted of three sugars, one of which was glucose. Phosphorus content was high and dipicolinic acid was absent. Appendage fine structure was not affected by common buffers, dilute acids and bases, hydrogen bond-breaking agents, certain proteolytic enzymes, or lysozyme.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1971

Taxonomic implications of spore fine structure in Clostridium bifermentans.

Thirty-five strains of Clostridium bifermentans were, in most part, culturally homogeneous by conventional taxonomic criteria but were heterogeneous with respect to spore fine structure. Fourteen of the strains produced spores with appendages, distributed among four distinct ultrastructural types. No consistent correlation existed between spore type and other variable properties of these strains. It is proposed, therefore, that these spore appendage-type strains be considered as "varieties" of C. bifermentans and that they should not be designated as new species.

Citrates↗
PubMed1971

Spore appendages and taxonomy of Clostridium sordellii.

Twenty-five strains of Clostridium sordellii were divided into two groups on the basis of spore fine structure. Sixteen strains formed spores with smooth tubular appendages, and nine strains formed spores which lacked appendages. The other properties of the 25 strains were relatively constant. Since the minor strain variability which was encountered did not correlate with spore appendage status, fragmentation of this species on the basis of spore appendage status is not advocated.

Acetates↗
PubMed1969

Spore fine structure in Clostridium cochlearium.

The fine structure of Clostridium cochlearium was examined by use of thin sections, negative stains, and carbon replicas. Particular attention was given to details of the sporulation process and to fine structure of the spores. Spore coat formation was well advanced before the first evidence of cortex formation was noted. Three distinct spore coats were detected, the outermost of which was composed of seven layers. In addition, the spores possessed tubular appendages of variable length attached to one end of the spore. These differed in a number of respects from those described for other clostridia.

Clostridium↗
PubMed1969

Effect of lysozyme on resting spores of Bacillus megaterium.

Resting spores of Bacillus megaterium ATCC 9885 were found to be markedly affected by lysozyme. Exposure to as little as 1.5 mug of lysozyme per ml caused the spores to lose refractility, the darkened spores to shed their coat structures, and the spore central bodies to lyse. The spores of seven other strains of B. megaterium and seven other Bacillus species were not similarly affected by lysozyme. Proteolytic enzymes such as pronase, trypsin, pepsin, and subtilisin did not induce the change. The action of lysozyme differed in certain important respects from that of common "physiological" germinants. Its action was considered to be direct via its enzymatic attack on exposed sites directly accessible in the resting spores of B. megaterium ATCC 9885.

Alanine↗
PubMed1968

Further electron microscope characterization of spore appendages of Clostridium bifermentans.

Two distinct spore appendage types of Clostridium bifermentans, a pinlike appendage and a tubular appendage, were studied by electron microscopy. The pinlike appendage is characterized by a shaft, about 100 A in diameter, which has a lobed caplike structure. The tubular appendage, 500 to 600 A in diameter, is characterized by a hirsute region consisting of small filaments or fibrils. Gross morphology and ultrastructural features of both types are described.

Clostridium↗
PubMed1968

Correlation between spore structure and spore properties in Bacillus megaterium.

The spores of six strains of Bacillus megaterium were divided into two distinct groups on the basis of germination. Three of the strains germinated in a mixture of l-alanine and inosine (AL type spores), and three strains germinated in a mixture of glucose and potassium nitrate (GN type spores); recriprocal germination in the respective solutions did not occur. The AL spores and the GN spores were morphologically distinct. Other differences between the two spore groups included germination inhibition characteristics, dipicolinic acid content, hexosamine content, phosphorus and magnesium content, spore coat features, ion exchange properties, and heat resistance. A correlation appears to exist between spore morphology and certain other spore properties in strains of B. megaterium.

Bacillus megaterium↗
PubMed1967

Clostridium spores with ribbon-like appendages.

Spores of Clostridium sp. N1 are characterized by numerous broad ribbon-like appendages attached to one end. The appendages are two to three times the length of the spore and, at their maximal dimension, may be two-thirds the width of the spore. They are attached to the spore body by a common trunk which is continuous with the outer spore coat. Each appendage is a multilayered structure and is enclosed in an amorphous material. Details of spore and appendage formation are described, and appendage ultrastructural features are presented. The function of the appendages is not known.

Clostridium↗
PubMed1967

Appendages of Clostridium bifermentans spores.

Four distinct spore appendage types were detected in an electron microscope survey of 12 strains of Clostridium bifermentans. A smooth tubular appendage and a feather-like appendage are described in detail. In addition, hirsute tubular appendages and small pin-like appendages are depicted. Spores of four strains apparently lack appendages.

Clostridium↗
PubMed1966

Influence of exchangeable ions on germinability of bacterial spores.

Rode, L. J. (The University of Texas, Austin), and J. W. Foster. Influence of exchangeable ions on germinability of bacterial spores. J. Bacteriol. 91:1582-1588. 1966.-Native spores of Bacillus megaterium Texas, and H-spores produced by titration of native spores to pH 4 with mineral acid, did not germinate in a solution of alanine and inosine unless a strong electrolyte was present. Ca-spores prepared from either H-spores or native spores did germinate efficiently in the same solution without a strong electrolyte. Of several other bivalent cations tested, only strontium and barium could substitute for calcium in conditioning spores for subsequent germination in the absence of an electrolyte. Variable responses were obtained with different metal ion forms of 62 unidentified soil isolates and several stock species of Bacillus. Although the pattern of response was not uniform in all organisms, ions played a crucial role in the germinability of the great majority of strains tested.

Alanine↗
PubMed1966

Quantitative aspects of exchangeable calcium in spores of Bacillus megaterium.

Rode, L. J. (The University of Texas, Austin), and J. W. Foster. Quantitative aspects of exchangeable calcium in spores of Bacillus megaterium. J. Bacteriol. 91:1589-1593. 1966.-More than 90% of the calcium in Ca(45)-labeled native spores was released from the cells during germination. Some 95% of the spore calcium was not exchangeable when ungerminated native spores were titrated to pH 4 with HNO(3). Ca, Mg, Na, Si, and Fe were displaced from the spores by H(+). The adsorption of Ca(45) by H-spores and its subsequent release were studied under a variety of conditions. The isolated "coat fraction" of spores adsorbed substantial amounts of Ca(45). Release of the adsorbed Ca was achieved with various reagents.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1966

Utility of sodium hypochlorite for ultrastructure study of bacterial spore integuments.

Rode, L. J. (The University of Texas, Austin), and M. Glenn Williams. Utility of sodium hypochlorite for ultrastructure study of bacterial spore integuments. J. Bacteriol. 92:1772-1778. 1966.-Spores of Bacillus megaterium are partially dissolved by sodium hypochlorite. Spore integuments become visible during the dissolution, and ultrastructural features may be detected. Three distinct integument types are described for B. megaterium QM B1551 with the use of this technique. Since a variety of microbial cells are affected by sodium hypochlorite, its use may be applicable to ultrastructure study of cells other than bacterial spores.

Bacillus megaterium↗