This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Guymon, L F Articles by Sparling, P F Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Guymon, L F Articles by Sparling, P F

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

J Bacteriol. 1975 November; 124(2): 757-763

Altered crystal violet permeability and lytic behavior in antibiotic-resistant and -sensitive mutants of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

L F Guymon and P F Sparling

ABSTRACT

Wild-type, antibiotic-resistant and hypersensitive isogenic strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were studied for uptake of crystal violet, rates of autolysis, and response to lysozyme. Total uptake of crystal violet was similar in all strains at 0 C but varied significantly at 37 C. Mutation at the nonspecific resistance locus ery resulted in relative impermeability to crystal violet at 37 C, as compared to wild type. The penetration barrier to crystal violet at 37 C was overcome by addition of 5 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Mutation at ery also resulted in reduced rates of autolysis and reduced sensitivity to high concentrations of lysozyme under conditions of divalent cation (Mg2+) depletion. In contrast, mutation at the nonspecific drug hypersensitivity locus env resulted in increased uptake of crystal violet at 37 C, due to increased binding of dye to crude envelope as well as increased penetration into cytoplasm. The env mutants were also more rapidly autolytic and more sensitive to lysozyme than wild type in the absence of Mg2+. These results suggest that the cell envelopes of ery mutants are more stable and less permeable and those of env mutants are less stable and more permeable than wild-type strains.

---

J Bacteriol. 1975 November; 124(2): 757-763

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Shafer, W. M., Folster, J. P. (2006). Towards an Understanding of Chromosomally Mediated Penicillin Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Evidence for a Porin-Efflux Pump Collaboration.. J. Bacteriol. 188: 2297-2299 [Full Text]  
• Folster, J. P., Shafer, W. M. (2005). Regulation of mtrF Expression in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Its Role in High-Level Antimicrobial Resistance. J. Bacteriol. 187: 3713-3720 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Lee, E.-H., Rouquette-Loughlin, C., Folster, J. P., Shafer, W. M. (2003). FarR Regulates the farAB-Encoded Efflux Pump of Neisseria gonorrhoeae via an MtrR Regulatory Mechanism. J. Bacteriol. 185: 7145-7152 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Jerse, A. E., Sharma, N. D., Simms, A. N., Crow, E. T., Snyder, L. A., Shafer, W. M. (2003). A Gonococcal Efflux Pump System Enhances Bacterial Survival in a Female Mouse Model of Genital Tract Infection. Infect. Immun. 71: 5576-5582 [Abstract] [Full Text]