The site of action of penicillin III. Effect of surface-active substances on penicillin uptake by staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Phenol prevented penicillin uptake by Staphylococcus aureus whole cells and “lipid particles” at the same concentrations in which cytolysis and cell death occurre. Tween 8o had little effect in penicillin uptake. Aerosol OT caused only a small decrease in penicillin uptake over the concentration range in which cell death and cytolysis were maximal, but CTAB caused an increase in penicillin uptake which was especially marked above the agglutination level. No penicillin ³⁵S was removed from the cells by detergents once the penicillin had been attached. The relationship of these findings with the hypothesis that penicillin reacts initially with the osmotic barrier in Staaphylococcus aureus is discussed.