A Receptor for a Proteus vulgaris Bacteriocin

Lipopolysaccharide was isolated from a Proteus vulgaris strain susceptible to the killing action of P. vulgaris bacteriocin 45, from two resistant mutants and from a wild P. vulgaris strain, none of which adsorb the bacteriocin. The carbohydrate composition of the lipopolysaccharide of the sensitive organism differs from that of the resistant strains. Neutralization tests and electron microscopy showed that this phage-tail-like bacteriocin only adsorbed to the cell wall or the lipopolysaccharide fraction of the sensitive P. vulgaris strain. Adsorption was accompanied by triggering of the bacteriocin particle.