The Effect of Sulfhydryl Compounds and Mercurials on the Swelling Rate of Cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Sodium and Potassium Buffers

Summary

Cysteine hydantoin, cysteine, and mercaptoethylamine inhibit the swelling rate of washed cells of a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa suspended in 0.1 M potassium phosphate, pH 6.2, but do not inhibit at pH 7.7. They are much less effective in sodium phosphate at both pH values.

Dithiothreitol, which itself has no effect on swelling rates, has no effect on the action of the sulfhydryl compounds with the exception of mercaptoethylamine in sodium phosphate at pH 7.7. In this condition, mercaptoethylamine is active only in the oxidized form, i.e., as a diamine.

Mercurials and NEM increase the swelling rate in sodium phosphate at both pH values but have much less effect in potassium phosphate.

Sulfhydryl compounds reverse the effect of the mercurials. Cysteine hydantoin is the most effective.

Iodine and hydrogen peroxide increase swelling rates in sodium phosphate and to a lesser extent in potassium phosphate. Cysteine hydantoin is the best antagonist for both.

The oxidizing agents and the mercurials have similar effects in cells treated with formaldehyde.