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STUDIES OF STREPTOCOCCAL CELL WALLS. VII. CARBOHYDRATE COMPOSITION OF GROUP B CELL WALLS.

Wittner, Masako K. (Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital, Chicago, Ill.), and James A. Hayashi. Studies of streptococcal cell walls. VII. Carbohydrate composition of group B cell walls. J. Bacteriol. 89:398-402. 1965.-Group B streptococcal cell walls contain 63% protein, 10% rhamnose, 18% hexose (mainly galactose, but also some glucose), 7% hexosamine (mainly glucosamine, but also galactosamine), and 3% muramic acid. The group and type antigens were extracted from isolated cell walls by acid treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis, and fractionated either with ethanol or on a diethylaminoethyl-cellulose column. Serological and chemical analyses of the fractions obtained in the two fractionation methods show that the group antigen is a rhamnose-rich polysaccharide and that the type antigen is rich in galactose and contains hexosamines.

Antigens↗

beta-Glucosidase excretion by Trichoderma pseudokoningii: correlation with cell wall bound beta-1.3-glucanase activities.

The formation and excretion of beta-glucosidase from Trichoderma pseudokoningii was studied during growth on different carbon sources. The enzyme was present under all conditions examined, but increased activity was found during growth on carbon sources favouring slow growth. Two different patterns of beta-glucosidase excretion were observed: on carbon sources allowing fast growth a relatively high percentage of total activity was found in the culture fluid, which decreases as the culture grows older, but which increases again during the phase of cell lysis; on carbon sources favouring slow growth, excretion is initially low, but commences at later culture stages. Changes in cell wall composition and cell wall lytic enzyme activities associated with the cell walls were examined during phases of high and low ratios of extracellular to cell-wall bound beta-glucosidase activities. With no component of the cell wall (chitin, alpha-glucan, beta-glucan, galactosamine) could correlation with beta-glucosidase excretion be identified. Among a number of cell-wall lytic, cell-wall associated enzymes (alpha-glucanases, beta-glucanases, glucosaminidase, galactosaminidase), beta-1.3-glucanase activity correlated well with the excretion of beta-glucosidase. The results suggest a possible role of beta-1.3-glucanases in the mechanism of release of beta-glucosidase from cell walls of T. pseudokoningii; this is discussed.

Cell Wall↗

Yapsins are a family of aspartyl proteases required for cell wall integrity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The yeast cell wall is a crucial extracellular organelle that protects the cell from lysis during environmental stress and morphogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that the yapsin family of five glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked aspartyl proteases is required for cell wall integrity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Yapsin null mutants show hypersensitivity to cell wall perturbation, and both the yps1Delta2Delta mutant and the quintuple yapsin mutant (5ypsDelta) undergo osmoremedial cell lysis at 37 degrees C. The cell walls of both 5ypsDelta and yps1Delta2Delta mutants have decreased amounts of 1,3- and 1,6-beta-glucan. Although there is decreased incorporation of both 1,3- and 1,6-beta-glucan in the 5ypsDelta mutant in vivo, in vitro specific activity of both 1,3- and 1,6-beta-glucan synthesis is similar to wild type, indicating that the yapsins affect processes downstream of glucan synthesis and that the yapsins may be involved in the incorporation or retention of cell wall glucan. Presumably as a response to the significant alterations in cell wall composition, the cell wall integrity mitogen-activated kinase signaling cascade (PKC1-MPK pathway) is basally active in 5ypsDelta. YPS1 expression is induced during cell wall stress and remodeling in a PKC1-MPK1-dependent manner, indicating that Yps1p is a direct, and important, output of the cell wall integrity response. The Candida albicans (SAP9) and Candida glabrata (CgYPS1) homologues of YPS1 complement the phenotypes of the yps1Delta mutant. Taken together, these data indicate that the yapsins play an important role in glucan homeostasis in S. cerevisiae and that yapsin homologues may play a similar role in the pathogenic yeasts C. albicans and C. glabrata.

Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases↗

Changes in cell wall carbohydrate composition of Paecilomyces persicinus P-10 M1 during growth and cephalosporin C production.

The carbohydrate composition of the cell walls of Paecilomyces persicinus P-10 M1 was monitored daily for 6 days to detect any changes during growth and cephalosporin C production. Walls were isolated after mechanical breakage, sonication, and exposure to detergent. Major quantitative changes in cell wall carbohydrate composition accompanied a decrease in both cell weight and antibiotic production. Glucosamine content remained relatively constant in the 24- to 96-h cell walls and increased markedly in the 120- and 144-h preparations. The non-nitrogenous carbohydrate cell wall component, however, decreased significantly in the 48- and 120-h cell walls. Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of the non-nitrogenous carbohydrate cell well fraction revealed the presence of glucose, the major component, mannose, galactose, and minute quantities of arabinose. Except for glucose, which was found to decrease moderately in the 120- and 144-h cell walls, the neutral sugars did not vary significantly with time.

Carbohydrates↗

Cell wall formation in zoospores of Allomyces arbuscula. III. Carbohydrate composition of cell walls during development from meiospores to hyphae.

Carbohydrate composition was determined in isolated cell walls of meiospores of Allomyces arbuscula after incubation for 15 min (encysted meiospores: cysts), 150 min (germlings: cysts + rhizoids) and 24 h (cysts + rhizoids + hyphae). The principal constituent in all cell wall samples is chitin, accounting for about 75% of the recovered carbohydrates. In addition, cell walls of all stages examined contain polysaccharides which release galactose, glucose, mannose, arabinose, xylose, fucose, and rhamnose on acid hydrolysis. While different developmental stages show minor quantitative changes in chitin, the ratio of galactose to glucose decreases sharply during differentiation of ungerminated cysts into germlings with rhizoids and hyphae. The increase in glucose is accompanied by a decrease in the amount of xylose and/or fucose and of galactose.

Carbohydrates↗

Studies on the chemical structure of the streptococcal cell wall. II. The composition of group C cell walls and chemical basis for serologic specificity of the carbohydrate moiety.

The trypsinized cell walls of Group C streptococci contain two components, the group-specific carbohydrate and a mucopeptide polymer. Hot formamide extraction of Group C cell walls results in a soluble group-specific carbohydrate fraction and an insoluble mucopeptide residue. This mucopeptide, similar in composition to that of Groups A and A-variant streptococci, contains N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylmuramic acid, alanine, glutamic acid, lysine, and glycine. It is dissolved by the muralytic enzymes, including lysozyme, which does not attack the whole cell wall. Lysis of the cell wall by phage-associated lysin results in the release of soluble fragments composed of the elements of mucopeptide. Group C carbohydrate extracted with formamide is composed primarily of N-acetylgalactosamine and rhamnose. Serological studies suggest that the specificity of Group C carbohydrate is determined by the N-acetylgalactosamine.

Carbohydrates↗

The composition of the cell wall of Aspergillus niger.

1. The cell-wall composition of Aspergillus niger has been investigated. Analysis shows the presence of six sugars, glucose, galactose, mannose, arabinose, glucosamine and galactosamine, all in the d-configuration, except that a small amount of l-galactose may be present. Sixteen common amino acids are also present. 2. The wall consists chiefly of neutral carbohydrate (73-83%) and hexosamine (9-13%), with smaller amounts of lipid (2-7%), protein (0.5-2.5%) and phosphorus (less than 0.1%). The acetyl content (3.0-3.4%) corresponds to 1.0mole/mole of hexosamine nitrogen. 3. A fractionation of the cell-wall complex was achieved, with or without a preliminary phenol extraction, by using n-sodium hydroxide. Though this caused some degradation, 30-60% of the wall could be solubilized (depending on the preparation). Analyses on several fractions suggest that fractionation procedures bring about some separation of components although not in a clear-cut fashion. 4. Cell-wall preparations were shown to yield a fraction having [alpha](D) approx. +240 degrees (in n-sodium hydroxide) and consisting largely of glucose. This was separated into two subfractions, one of which had [alpha](D)+281 degrees (in n-sodium hydroxide) and had properties resembling the polysaccharide nigeran; the other had [alpha](D) +231 degrees (in n-sodium hydroxide). It is suggested that nigeran is a cell-wall component.

Arabinose↗

The cell wall of Rickettsia mooseri. I. Morphology and chemical composition.

Cell walls prepared by mechanically disrupting intact Rickettsia mooseri (R. typhi) were examined in an electron microscope and analyzed chemically. Electron micrographs of metal-shadowed and negatively stained rickettsial cell walls revealed no significant differences, except for smaller size, from bacterial cell walls prepared in a similar manner. The chemical composition was complex, and resembled that of gram-negative bacterial cell walls more closely than that of gram-positive bacterial cell walls. R. mooseri cell walls contained the sugars, glucose, galactose, and glucuronic acid, the amino sugars, glucosamine, and muramic acid, and at least 15 amino acids. Diaminopimelic acid, a compound hitherto found only in bacteria and blue-green algae, was demonstrated in rickettsiae for the first time. Teichoic acids were not detected. The compounds identified accounted for about 70% of the dry weight of the cell walls.

Amino Acids↗

Composition of Regenerated Cell Walls of Reverting Aureobasidium pullulans Protoplasts.

Protoplasts of Aureobasidium pullulans, formed by treating normal blastospores with polysaccharide-hydrolyzing enzymes, synthesized glycans when incubated in shallow culture. The polysaccharides formed a loose, thick coating on the cells. The glycans that were formed are similar to the glycans in normal cell walls; however, they lack the branching that is normally found. This result is consistent with the findings of others who have studied the cell wall composition of reverting yeast protoplasts.

Journal Article↗

The specific nature of plant cell wall polysaccharides.

Polysaccharide compositions of cell walls were assessed by quantitative analyses of the component sugars. Cell walls were hydrolyzed in 2 n trifluoroacetic acid and the liberated sugars reduced to their respective alditols. The alditols were acetylated and the resulting alditol acetates separated by gas chromatography. Quantitative assay of the alditol acetates was accomplished by electronically integrating the detector output of the gas chromatograph. Myo-inositol, introduced into the sample prior to hydrolysis, served as an internal standard.The cell wall polysaccharide compositions of plant varieties within a given species are essentially identical. However, differences in the sugar composition were observed in cell walls prepared from different species of the same as well as of different genera. The fact that the wall compositions of different varieties of the same species are the same indicates that the biosynthesis of cell wall polysaccharides is genetically regulated. The cell walls of various morphological parts (roots, hypocotyls, first internodes and primary leaves) of bean plants were each found to have a characteristic sugar composition.It was found that the cell wall sugar composition of suspension-cultured sycamore cells could be altered by growing the cells on different carbon sources. This demonstrates that the biosynthesis of cell wall polysaccharides can be manipulated without fatal consequences.

Journal Article↗

The role of plant cell wall polysaccharide composition in disease resistance.

The high degree of structural complexity of plant cell wall polysaccharides has led to suggestions that some components might function as latent signal molecules that are released during pathogen infections and elicit defensive responses by the plant. However, there has been a paucity of genetic evidence supporting the idea that variation in cell wall composition plays a role in the outcome of host-pathogen interactions. Recently, several genetic studies have provided new lines of evidence implicating cell wall polysaccharides as factors in host-pathogen interactions.

Cell Wall↗

Cell wall chemical composition of Enterococcus faecalis in the viable but nonculturable state.

The viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state is a survival mechanism adopted by many bacteria (including those of medical interest) when exposed to adverse environmental conditions. In this state bacteria lose the ability to grow in bacteriological media but maintain viability and pathogenicity and sometimes are able to revert to regular division upon restoration of normal growth conditions. The aim of this work was to analyze the biochemical composition of the cell wall of Enterococcus faecalis in the VBNC state in comparison with exponentially growing and stationary cells. VBNC enterococcal cells appeared as slightly elongated and were endowed with a wall more resistant to mechanical disruption than dividing cells. Analysis of the peptidoglycan chemical composition showed an increase in total cross-linking, which rose from 39% in growing cells to 48% in VBNC cells. This increase was detected in oligomers of a higher order than dimers, such as trimers (24% increase), tetramers (37% increase), pentamers (65% increase), and higher oligomers (95% increase). Changes were also observed in penicillin binding proteins (PBPs), the enzymes involved in the terminal stages of peptidoglycan assembly, with PBPs 5 and 1 being prevalent, and in autolytic enzymes, with a threefold increase in the activity of latent muramidase-1 in E. faecalis in the VBNC state. Accessory wall polymers such as teichoic acid and lipoteichoic acid proved unchanged and doubled in quantity, respectively, in VBNC cells in comparison to dividing cells. It is suggested that all these changes in the cell wall of VBNC enterococci are specific to this particular physiological state. This may provide indirect confirmation of the viability of these cells.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana with altered cell wall polysaccharide composition.

To analyze the synthesis, structure and function of the plant cell wall by a genetic approach, 5200 chemically mutagenized Arabidopsis plants were screened for changes in the monosaccharide composition of hydrolyzed cell wall material by gas chromatography of alditol acetates This screening procedure identified 23 mutant lines representing 11 different loci designated mur1 to mur11. The mur lines fall into essentially three groups: (1) complete absence of a monosaccharide, (2) significant reduction in the amount of a single monosaccharide, and (3) complex alterations in the relative amounts of several monosaccharides. All mutants in the first category represent alleles of the mur1 locus, and are deficient in the de novo synthesis of fucose. Mutants with reductions in a single monosaccharide have been identified for fucose (mur2, mur3), arabinose (mur4, mur5, mur6, mur7), and rhamnose (mur8). Mutants with complex changes in monosaccharide composition are represented by the mur9, mur10 and mur11 loci. Most of the mutant lines did not show obvious morphological or physiological alterations; however, lines mur1, mur9 and mur10 co-segregated with reduced vigor or dwarfism of the plants. These results demonstrate the feasibility of identifying plants with altered cell wall compositions via a biochemical screening procedure. The availability of these mutants provides novel opportunities to study the functions of cell wall polysaccharides, gain insight into the biosynthesis of cell wall material, and clone cell wall-related genes.

Arabidopsis↗

Enzymic production of a feruloylated oligosaccharide with antioxidant activity from wheat flour arabinoxylan.

BACKGROUND: Main cereals such as rice, wheat, barley, and corn belong to the family Gramineae and have similar cell-wall composition. Since cereal cell walls are a good source of dietary fibre, meeting one-half of the daily requirement of 30 g of dietary fibre can be achieved by the regular consumption of cereals. Many studies have dealt with the isolation of feruloylated oligosaccharides from Gramineae by treatment with polysaccharide hydrolysing enzymes. AIM OF THIS STUDY: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the production of feruloylated oligosaccharides from insoluble wheat flour arabinoxylan (WFAX) by treatment with a Thermoascus aurantiacus family 10 endoxylanase (XYLI) and the evaluation of their antioxidant activity. METHODS: The main feruloylated oligosaccharide was purified by anion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). Alkaline saponification and acid hydrolysis were used for product identification. Evaluation of antioxidant activity was performed by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reduction assay and the inhibition of copper-mediated oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL). RESULTS: The optimal conditions for WFAX hydrolysis using the XYLI have been determined to be 100 U g(-1) of WFAX for 30 min at 50 degrees C. Saponification of the oligosaccharide released FA and oligosaccharide. The released oligosaccharide consisted of arabinose and xylose in a molar ratio of 1:3 and these results support the identity of the feruloylated oligosaccharide as feruloyl arabinoxylotrisaccharide (FAX(3)). FAX(3) showed profound antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reduction assay exhibiting an antiradical efficiency of 0.035 (x 10(-3)) and inhibited the copper-mediated oxidation of human low density lipoprotein (LDL) in a dose-dependent manner with almost complete inhibition at 32 microM. CONCLUSION: A feruloylated oligosaccharide (FAX3) was isolated from WFAX after enzymatic treatment with XYLI. We verified antioxidant activity of FAX(3) which may be important in preventing or reducing the progression of atherosclerosis by inhibiting the peroxidation of lipoproteins.

Antioxidants↗

Characterization of floating activity of indigenous diesel-assimilating bacterial isolates.

Six diesel-degrading bacterial strains were isolated from oil-polluted sites located in central Taiwan. The floating activity of the isolates in an oil-supplemented liquid medium was monitored. Cell-surface hydrophobicity as well as cell-free and cell-residue emulsification activities were also investigated. Three isolates, identified as Gordonia alkanivorans CC-JG 39, Rhodococcus erythropolis CC-BC 04, and R. erythropolis CC-BC 11, were found to float and grow near the diesel layer on the surface. The other three isolates (namely, Comamonas testosteroni CC-CF3, Acinetobacter sp. CC-CF 5, and Sphingomonas yanoikuyae CC-CG 22) did not display floating activity, as they distributed uniformly in the liquid medium. Isolated cell walls of the floating strains appeared to settle at a lower sucrose density than the non-floating strains. The floating strains were also characterized by a higher cell-surface hydrophobicity and a higher cell-residue emulsification activity than the non-floating strains. In fact, the floating strains were thought to produce extracellular emulsifiers due to their higher supernatant emulsification activity than the non-floating strains. The floating activity of G. alkanivorans CC-JG 39 may be associated with the production of extracellular polymeric substances that formed an "air-bag" structure facilitating cell floating. The floating ability may also correlate with a high cellular hydrophobicity arising from unique cell wall compositions or cell-wall-bound surface active products.

Bacteria↗

The effect of environment on endosperm cell-wall development in Triticum aestivum during grain filling: an infrared spectroscopic imaging study.

One of the major factors contributing to the failure of new wheat varieties is seasonal variability in end-use quality. Consequently, it is important to produce varieties which are robust and stable over a range of environmental conditions. Recently developed sample preparation methods have allowed the application of FT-IR spectroscopic imaging methods to the analysis of wheat endosperm cell wall composition, allowing the spatial distribution of structural components to be determined without the limitations of conventional chemical analysis. The advantages of the methods, described in this paper, are that they determine the composition of endosperm cell walls in situ and with minimal modification during preparation. Two bread-making wheat cultivars, Spark and Rialto, were selected to determine the impact of environmental conditions on the cell-wall composition of the starchy endosperm of the developing and mature grain, focusing on the period of grain filling (starting at about 14 days after anthesis). Studies carried out over two successive seasons show that the structure of the arabinoxylans in the endosperm cell walls changes from a highly branched form to a less branched form. Furthermore, during development the rate of restructuring was faster when the plants were grown at higher temperature with restricted water availability from 14 days after anthesis with differences in the rate of restructuring occurring between the two cultivars.

Cell Wall↗