Bacterial Cell Membranes: I. Reaggregation of Membrane Subunits From Micrococcus Lysodeikticus

The membranes from M. lysodeikticus can readily be disaggregated into a very small subunit form with sodium lauryl sulfate. Reaggregation of these subunits into membranous sheets occurs during dialysis in a menstruum of relatively low ionic strength, in the presence of a divalent cation at near neutral pH. Reducing conditions and a monovalent salt need not be present during dialysis. Effect of several compounds on membranes and subunit reaggregation was studied. Reaggregated membrane sheets are very similar chemically and morphologically to whole membranes; however, a difference was noted. The major bonding mode in membranes appears to involve hydrophobic groups.