A protein component of the cell surface of Staphylococcus aureus.

1. Treatment with trypsin of cells of Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I, known to carry a protein component that includes the Jensen protein A, results in an increase in the negative mobility of the cells at pH values greater than 6. 2. Similar treatment of cells of strain Wood 46, which has no surface protein component, causes no change in the electrophoretic mobility. 3. Electrokinetically heterogeneous populations are observed in two strains of S. aureus, one of human and the other of animal origin. Evidence is presented ascribing this to the presence of varying amounts of protein components on the surface of different cells.