Nucleic Acid Derivatives Associated with Group N Streptococci. I. Cell-Free Fraction

Abstract

The intracellular nucleotide contents of five strains of Group N streptococci and their relationship to acid production were studied by ion exchange, paper chromatography and ultraviolet absorption.The principal nucleoside and nucleotide compounds isolated and identified from the five cultures were: uridine, guanosine, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, adenosine monophosphate, uridine monophosphate, guanosine monophosphate, and uridine diphosphate.Streptococcus lactis C2, the most rapid acid producer exhibited the most complex nucleotide pattern, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Streptococcus lactis 11454, a slow acid producer, and Streptococcus cremoris R1, a weak acid producer in partially defined broth formed uridine diphosphate intermediates. Streptococcus lactis E, an intermediate acid producer, contained less than one-half of the total amount of nucleic acid derivatives of S. lactis C2, whereas Streptococcus diacetilactis DRC1, the poorest acid producer was deficient in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and guanosine monophosphate derivatives.Several of the nucleotides were found to contain an additional sugar. Acid hydrolysis of these nucleotide-carbohydrate complexes revealed three different complexing hexoses which varied in Rf values on the same chromatograph.