The Extracellular Bacteriolytic Enzymes of a Species of Streptomyces

SUMMARY: A bacteriolytic protease produced by a species of Streptomyces is activated by manganese and other metals. This enzyme digests autoclaved Bacterium coli but not autoclaved Staphylococcus aureus, though it does digest ‘protein’ extracted from staphylococci with hot alkali. A ribonuclease is produced by the Streptomyces sp. but it apparently takes no part in the lysis of Staph, aureus. During lysis autoclaved Bact. coli do not disintegrate but progressively diminish in size.