Characterization of intracellular polysaccharides of Streptomyces

The intracytoplasmic accumulation of polysaccharides has been demonstrated in four species of Streptomyces. After extraction and purification, the structural properties of these polysaccharides were investigated by chemical, spectrophotometric, and enzymatic methods. The results clearly indicated that the streptomycete polysaccharides have a degree of branching and a macromolecular structure similar to that of the glycogens isolated from other bacteria and animal sources.

Cytochemical and enzymatic characterization of the sporulation septum of Streptomyces antibioticus

The sporulation septum in Streptomyces antibioticus is formed by two thin electron-dense layers which constitute the annuli, separated by a thick and moderately electron-dense matrix which forms the deposits. By means of cytochemical techniques and enzymatic digestion with lysozyme, we have shown that deposits and annuli have a different chemical composition. Deposits are formed by peptidoglycan and are highly sensitive to lysozyme, whereas annuli, probably due to localized chemical modifications of the peptidoglycan or high degrees of peptide cross-linking, are lysozyme resistant. Our results suggest that the deposits, unlike the annuli, are only temporary assisting structures which are degraded during spore maturation.

Occurrence of polysaccharide granules in sporulating hyphae of Streptomyces viridochromogenes

Evidence of the presence of polysaccharide polymers is shown in Streptomyces sp. for the first time. Cytochemical methods revealed the occurrence of polysaccharide granules in sporulating hyphae of Streptomyces viridochromogenes. Onset of the sporogenesis coincided with the appearance of the granules, which reached a maximum number during the early stages of maturation. The later stages of maturation showed a decrease of these granules, and in mature spores no granules were observed.