Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology

Phage Lysin
Electron Micrographs

3819

Bacillus anthracis (Sterne) treated for one minute with 10 units (about 10 ug) of phage lysin. Notice that the cytoplasmic membrane has externalized because the lysin has weakened the cell wall and since the pressure inside a bacteria is about 3 atmospheres, the membrane will externalize and burst, killing the bacteria.