Chemical Analysis of Peptidoglycans from Species of Chromatiaceae and Ectothiorhodospiraceae

Joachim Meißner, Uwe J. Jürgens, and Jürgen Weckesser Institut für Biologie II, Mikrobiologie, der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Schänzlestraße 1, D-7800 Freiburg i.Br., Bundesrepublik Deutschland Z. Naturforsch. 43c, 823-826 (1988); received June 30, 1988 Chromatium tepidum, Thiocysüs violacea, Ectothiorhodospira vacuolata, Chromatiaceae, Ectothiorhodospiraceae, Peptidoglycan Rigid layer (sodium dodecylsulfate(SDS)-insoluble cell wall) and peptidoglycan fractions were obtained from the Chromatiaceae (Thiocysüs violacea and Chromatium tepidum) and from Ectothiorhodospira vacuolata. Chemical composition of rigid layers from all three species indicated the presence of peptidoglycan-bound protein. Qualitative and quantitative composition of isolated peptidoglycan indicate an Alytype . meso-Diaminopimelic acid was the only diamino acid found. Direct cross-linkage of peptide sidechains was confirmed by separation of respective dipeptides (M-A;pm-D-Ala) from partial acid hydrolysates of peptidoglycan. GlcN and MurN of the sugar strands are completely N-acetylated. All peptidoglycan fractions contained small amounts of Gly.