LYSOZYME IN THE BACTERIOLYSIS OF GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA: I. MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING USE OF NAKAMURA'S TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Whole cells or the cell walls of 22 species representing 11 genera of Gram-negative bacteria were exposed to lysozyme using a modified Nakamura technique. The cell walls of all organisms contain the lysozyme substrate in differing amounts (two Brucella spp., Proteus vulgaris X-19, and Vibrio cholerae Chicago are possible exceptions) when evaluated spectrophotometrically and with the electron microscope. Using the latter technique, the sequence of events during bacteriolysis with lysozyme was observed. After exposure to lysozyme in saline, with the modified Nakamura technique and the phase microscope, cells were observed to either swell or shrink depending on the pH of the menstruum. This phenomenon apparently involves reversible hydration of cell proteins with concomitant changes in light transmission.