Effect of benzylpenicillin on the synthesis and structure of the cell envelope of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The effect of benzylpenicillin on the synthesis and morphology of the cell envelope of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was examined. Penicillin immediately stopped murein synthesis; it also enhanced the rate of turnover of glucosamine, but not diaminopimelic acid, in the murein. In addition, penicillin greatly increased the shedding of lipid and lipopolysaccharide into the medium. In the electron microscope, protrusions of the cell membrane were evident, as well as apparent holes in the murein cell wall. All of these changes occurred while active synthesis was taking place, before the lysis of the cells. Lysis could be prevented by growing the cells at low pH and high concentrations of Mg2+; however, the effects of penicillin on murein synthesis and turnover and on the release of lipid were not affected.