Mycobacteria and Corynebacteria

The most detailed investigations into PolyP metabolism of the Mycobacteria and Corynebacteria have been carried out by Drews (1960a,b), Mudd and co-workers (Mudd 

When the normal grouwth conditions are restored, PolyP is actively utilized for the biosynthesis of nucleic acids and phospholipids as a source of phosphorus (Mudd et al., 1958 Winder and Denneny, 1957). 

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Fluorescent red pigments, probably coproporphyrins, have been noted in a number of bacteria, especially in mycobacteria and corynebacteria under certain cultural conditions. Coulter and Stone observed the curious relation that increased porphyrin excretion by diphtheria paralleled increased toxin production. 

Fungal cell walls contain n-alkanes similar to those in the higher plants and possibly fulfilling a similar role. In contrast, waxes are absent in most bacteria. However, the mycobacteria and the related nocardiae and corynebacteria, which contain greater amounts of lipids than other types of bacteria, contain high-molecular-weight waxy molecules in their cell walls (Harwood Russell 1984).These molecules comprise various mycolic acids, such as P-mycolic acid (Fig. 2.15a), which are bonded to polysaccharides and, via phosphate groups, to murein (Fig. 2.9). 

Cord Factor Trehalose 6,6-dimycolaie 6.6 -di-0-mycolyl -a,a-trehalose (6-O-mycolyl -dr-D-glucopyranos-yl) 6-0 mycolyl-ot-D-glucopyranoside Toxic glycolipjds responsible for the cord formation and the leukotoxic effect of virulent bacilli. The term cord factor is widely used for the natural mixture of trehalose dimycolates produced by virulent Mycobacteria, Nocardia, Corynebacteria and attenuated BCG, q.v. For precise designation, the strain from which the preparation was isolated must be mentioned. First isolated from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H. Bloch, J. Exp. 

In comparison to other bacteria, Mycobacteria (and the related Nocardia and Corynebacteria) contain large amounts of lipid which is mainly in the cell wall. 

In addition to the three discussed above, there are a number of other pathogens within the mycolata. Infections by non-TB mycobacteria including M. avium-intracellulare, M. marinum M. ulcerans, and M. kansasii are rarely seen in healthy individuals, but are common sources of skin infections and lung disease in AIDS patients [297]. In addition, there are increasing reports of human infections caused by multidrug-resistant non-diphtheria Corynebacteria, especially in immunocompromised patients [298,299]. 

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