This review summarizes the main results obtained in the fields of general and molecular microbiology and microbial genetics at the Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (AS CR) [formerly Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences (CAS)] over more than 50 years. Contribution of the founder of the Institute, academician Ivan Málek, to the introduction of these topics into the scientific program of the Institute of Microbiology and to further development of these studies is also included.

• MeSH
• Academies and Institutes history   MeSH
• History, 20th Century MeSH
• Genetics, Microbial history   MeSH
• Molecular Biology history   MeSH
• Check Tag
• History, 20th Century MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Historical Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Mycelia of a low- and a high-production strain of Streptomyces aureofaciens were converted into protoplasts and divided into five subcellular fractions in order to localize exopolyphosphatases (EC 3.6.1.11), triphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.25), inorganic diphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.1), apyrase (EC 3.6.1.5) and glucokinase (EC 2.7.1.2). The highest specific activity of enzymes hydrolyzing polyphosphates was found in cytoplasmic vesicles and membranes. Triphosphatase was detected in the periplasmic fraction. Periplasmic vesicles and cytoplasm exhibited a high activity of diphosphatase. Apyrase was found mainly in the fractions of membranes and cytoplasmic vesicles. Glucokinase was a cytoplasmic enzyme. The enzymes were released from membrane structures into cytoplasm or periplasmic space if benzyl thiocyanate (10 microM) was present in the growth medium.

• MeSH
• Potassium pharmacology   MeSH
• Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases metabolism   MeSH
• Glucokinase metabolism   MeSH
• Magnesium pharmacology   MeSH
• Cations MeSH
• Kinetics MeSH
• Sodium pharmacology   MeSH
• Streptomyces aureofaciens drug effects   enzymology   MeSH
• Subcellular Fractions enzymology   MeSH
• Thiocyanates pharmacology   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• benzyl thiocyanate MeSH Browser
• Potassium MeSH
• Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases MeSH
• Glucokinase MeSH
• Magnesium MeSH
• Cations MeSH
• Sodium MeSH
• Thiocyanates MeSH

The rate of protein synthesis in Streptomyces aureofaciens, measured by incorporation of U-14C-L-leucine into cells, fluctuated during the production phase in the range of 10-15% of the values determined in the phase of intensive growth. Tetracycline partially inhibited the protein synthesis during the growth phase only. The proteins synthesized between the 6th and 18th hour of growth, were 75% degraded by the 48th hour. The DNA synthesis, measured by means of incorporation of 2-14C-thymine into the mycelium, occurred predominantly during the first 24 h of cultivation. Similarly, DNA synthesized between the 6th and 12th hour of cultivation was degraded by 75% after 48 h. The turnover of culture proteins is thus caused largely by degradation of old cells and growth of new ones which are more resistant to tetracycline. The activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase increase substantially towards the end of fermentation.

• MeSH
• Alanine Transaminase metabolism   MeSH
• Aspartate Aminotransferases metabolism   MeSH
• Bacterial Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Chloramphenicol pharmacology   MeSH
• DNA, Bacterial metabolism   MeSH
• Leucine metabolism   MeSH
• Streptomyces aureofaciens metabolism   MeSH
• Tetracyclines pharmacology   MeSH
• Thymine metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Alanine Transaminase MeSH
• Aspartate Aminotransferases MeSH
• Bacterial Proteins MeSH
• Chloramphenicol MeSH
• DNA, Bacterial MeSH
• Leucine MeSH
• Tetracyclines MeSH
• Thymine MeSH