NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
L-phase variants of Agromyces ramosusEarlier results suggested that Agromyces ramosus possibly might exist naturally in soil as a cell-wall-defective form. The purpose of the present study was to test this hypothesis by determining whether the laboratory-adapted strains of A. ramosus could be artificially induced into the L-phase and, if so, to examine some parameters affecting induction and the stability of the L-forms. The hypothesis was also tested by attempting to revert the laboratory L-phase strains by subjecting them to the technique originally used for isolation of the bacterial form from soil. It is shown that A. ramosus is easily induced into the L-phase by growing it on an agar media containing low levels of penicillin or glycine. The L-forms are found to be stable after initial contact with the inducing agent and to be unable to be reverted to the bacterial form. However, this lack of reversion does not completely negate the hypothesis that L-forms might occur in nature, because it is possible that L-forms existing in the natural state are less stable than those found in the laboratory where there is little selective pressure toward reversion.
Document ID
19760047408
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Horwitz, A. H.
(Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, PA, United States)
Casida, L. E., Jr.
(Pennsylvania State University University Park, Pa., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1975
Publication Information
Publication: Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
Volume: 41
Issue: 2, 19
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
76A30374
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-39-009-180
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available