The inhibition of streptococci by lactoperoxidase, thiocyanate and hydrogen peroxide. The oxidation of thiocyanate and the nature of the inhibitory compound.

1. The products of the lactoperoxidase-catalysed oxidation of thiocyanate by hydrogen peroxide were sulphate, carbon dioxide and ammonia. Cyanate, sulphite and a compound showing increased extinction at 235mmu (the ;235 compound') were intermediate oxidation products. 2. Two of the intermediates acted as electron acceptors in the oxidation of NADH(2). Thus NADH(2) was oxidized by sulphite in the presence of lactoperoxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) and Mn(2+) and by the ;235 compound' in the presence of an enzyme, the NADH(2)-oxidizing enzyme, present in extracts of lactoperoxidase-resistant streptococci. Sulphur dicyanide also acted as an electron acceptor in the latter reaction. The ;235 compound' was also reduced non-enzymically by sulphite. 3. The glycolysis of lactoperoxidasesensitive streptococci suspended in glucose solution was not inhibited by sulphite, cyanate, cyanide or the ;235 compound' but was inhibited by sulphur dicyanide. The inhibition by 0.1mm-sulphur dicyanide could be reversed, as could that caused by lactoperoxidase, thiocyanate and hydrogen peroxide, by washing the cells or by the addition of a cell-free extract of a lactoperoxidase-resistant streptococcus. 4. The effects of 0.1mm-sulphur dicyanide on catabolic enzymes of resting streptococci were very similar to those of the lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate-hydrogen peroxide system. Thus hexokinase was completedly inhibited, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and aldolase were partially inhibited and phosphohexokinase was little affected in both cases.