Structure of Streptococcal Cell Walls. 3. Characterization of an Alanine-containing Glucosaminylmuramic Acid Derivative Liberated by Lysozyme from Streptococcal Glycopeptide.

A glycopeptide (also called mucopeptide) fraction of bacterial cell walls, believed to be associated with shape and structural stability of microorganisms, may, in the case of Group A streptococci, be isolated with relative ease as the formamide-insoluble residue of protease-treated cell walls (1). Analyses and certain susceptibilities to enzymic lysis of this fraction have been reported (1, 2) as well as the recognition in the lysate of a disaccharide containing 2-deoxy-2-acetamido-n-glucose and N-acetylmuramic acid (2). The present article supplies experimental details and in several regards expands the data of our preliminary communication (2).