The release and characterization of some periplasm-located enzymes of Pseudomona aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027) releases four periplasm-located enzymes, i.e., ribonuclease (EC 3.1.4.22; EC 3.1.4.23), alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), cyclic-2', 3'-phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.d), and 5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) into the medium during growth. Ribonuclease and alkaline phosphatase are classed as enzymes which are readily extracted by osmotic shock and spheroplast formation whereas cyclic-2',3'-phosphodiesterase and 5'-nucleotidase are classed as enzymes which are not readily extracted by these procedures. In view of the relative ease of extraction of the former enzymes it is suggested that the lattter enzymes, cyclic-2',3'-phosphodiesterase and 5'-nucleotidase, are bound and located in the periplasm in a manner different to ribonuclease and alkaline phosphatase.