Isolation of Escherichia coli B mutant deficient in glutathione biosynthesis.

There is a lack of information on the role ofglutathione in the functioning of microbial cells, except for suggestions that it is important in cell devision,1} and in detoxification o f unfavourable compounds for growth.2) However, the importance ofglutathione in cells has been questioned by the findings of many gram positive bacteria3) and several m utants of E. coli2A) containing no detectable glutathione.