EXTRACTION OF LIPOTEICHOIC ACID FROM STREPTOCOCCUS-MUTANS WITH THE NONIONIC DETERGENT TRITON-X-114

The non-ionic detergent Triton X-114 has previously been used for the selective extraction of amphiphilic membrane proteins, including lipop roteins. This report describes the use of the detergent in the extract ion of lipoteichoic acid which is a major macroamphiphilic membrane-as sociated antigen, present in many Gram-positive bacteria. Lipoteichoic acid was recovered from detergent-rich extracts of Streptococcus muta ns by anion-exchange chromatography, although at a reduced yield compa red with conventional phenol extraction. However, the non-ionic deterg ent solubilisation method has a number of distinct advantages over phe nol extraction, notably that it is less time consuming, less aggressiv e and less hazardous. These advantages may prove sufficient to outweig h the disadvantage of reduced yield. This technique provides a novel m ethod for extraction of lipoteichoic acid which may be extended to inc lude other macroamphiphiles such as lipoglycans and lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin).