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. 1975 Aug;123(2):666–677. doi: 10.1128/jb.123.2.666-677.1975

Constitution of the cell envelope of Haemophilus influenzae in relation to competence for genetic transformation.

K C Zoon, J J Scocca
PMCID: PMC235774  PMID: 1080485

Abstract

Cell envelopes of Haemophilus influenzae have been prepared by breakage in a French pressure cell followed by differential centrifugation. The envelope fraction may be resolved into an inner-membrane (light) and an outer-membrane (heavy) fraction on density gradients. Envelopes from competent cells possess elevated levels of lipopolysaccharide with a composition different from that of log-phase cell envelopes. Three apparently new polypeptides have been observed in envelopes from competent cells by gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate; additional quantitative alterations in the profiles of membrane polypeptides also company the development of the capacity to transport deoxyribonucleic acid. Most of the polypeptide changes are confined to the outer membrane; one new polypeptide is associated with the inner cytoplasmic membrane of competent cells. Protein synthesis during competence developement is rquired for the change in lipopolysaccharides and in the envelope polypeptides to occur.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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