Staphylococcus aureus FDA 209P produces two extracellular bacteriolytic enzymes, 51‐kDa endo‐β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase (GL) and 62‐kDa N‐acetylmuramyl‐l‐alanine amidase (AM), both of which can disperse cell clusters. To characterize the physiological roles of these enzymes in vivo, mutants with altered autolysin activity were isolated, and their degree of cluster formation in broth culture was assessed. Bacteriolytic activities of GL and AM, produced and secreted from these mutants into the culture fluid and detected with activity gels, coincided well with the degree of cluster formation of the mutants. The mutants with little or no enzyme activity grew in clusters, whereas those with high activity grew as well‐separated cocci, suggesting that these enzymes are involved in cell separation of S. aureus in vivo.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.