(A) Effect of AcmA on growth and lysis of L. lactis NZ3900, MG1363acmAΔ1, MG1363 (dltD), and MG1363 (dltD acmAΔ1). The OD600 of GM17 cultures of L. lactis was followed for 24 h (solid lines). Lactate dehydrogenase release in culture supernatant of the same strains was measured at time (t) = 7 and t = 22 h (dashed lines). The data are from a single experiment that was representative of two independent analyses in which similar results were obtained. (B) Effect of Triton X-100 on lysis of cell suspensions of L. lactis NZ3900 (control), MG1363acmAΔ1, MG1363 (dltD), and MG1363 (dltD acmAΔ1). Cells were harvested, washed, resuspended in phosphate buffer supplemented with 0.05% Triton X-100, and incubated at 37°C. The OD600 of the cell suspensions was followed for 5 h (solid lines). Total protein release in the supernatant of the cell suspensions was measured at t = 0, t = 0.5, and t = 5 h (dashed lines). The data are from a single experiment that was representative of two independent analyses in which similar results were obtained.