1. Lipid composition of Escherichia coli in relation to resistance to penicillin.
- Author
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Legakis NJ, Protopappas NP, Leonardopoulos JG, and Papavassiliou JT
- Subjects
- Cell Membrane Permeability, Cephaloridine pharmacology, Escherichia coli drug effects, Escherichia coli metabolism, Fatty Acids analysis, Penicillin G metabolism, Penicillinase biosynthesis, Penicillins pharmacology, Species Specificity, Escherichia coli analysis, Lipids analysis, Penicillin Resistance
- Abstract
Clinical isolates of Escherichia coli sensitive and resistant to penicillin were compared in lipid composition and 14C-labelled penicillin uptake, as possible factors in resistance. Except for a slight increase in the triglyceride fraction in sensitive strains there were no qualitative or quantitative differences in the classes of extractable lipids present. Gas-liquid chromatography of the phospholipid and triglyceride fatty acids of the polar and non-polar fatty acids of the bound lipids showed that the same kinds of fatty acids were present. There was an increase of myristate in the chloroform-methanol extractable lipids of highly resistant strains accompanied by a rather general decrease of other fatty acids. Gas-chromatographic analysis of the polar-bound lipids showed an increase of the beta-hydroxydecanoic acid in the resistant strains. By studying the uptake of 14C-labelled benzylpenicillin and the crypticity of the beta-lactamase, evidence has been produced that a decreased permeability of resistant strains to penicillin cooperates with beta-lactamase to induce a high level of resistance. The altered lipid metabolism may reflect the special architectural changes in the cell wall which cause decreased permeability.
- Published
- 1978
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