Possible role of a choline-containing teichoic acid in the maintenance of normal cell shape and physiology in Streptococcus oralis

J Bacteriol. 1993 Mar;175(6):1717-22. doi: 10.1128/jb.175.6.1717-1722.1993.

Abstract

Streptococcus oralis ATCC 35037 took up radioactively labeled choline from growth medium. Most of the choline (80 to 90%) was incorporated into the cell wall teichoic acid, and about 10% was localized in the plasma membrane. While cells grew in choline-free medium, they did so at slow rates and produced cell walls with greatly reduced amounts of phosphate and no detectable choline. Cells grown in choline-free medium had grossly abnormal shape and size. Both biochemical and morphological abnormalities were reversible by addition of choline to the medium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Choline / metabolism*
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Culture Media
  • Kinetics
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Streptococcus / cytology*
  • Streptococcus / growth & development
  • Streptococcus / metabolism
  • Teichoic Acids / metabolism*

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Teichoic Acids
  • Choline