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 lipoproteins. This report describes the use of the detergent in the extraction of lipoteichoic acid which is a major macroamphiphilic membrane-associated antigen, present in many Gram-positive bacteria. Lipoteichoic acid was recovered from detergent-rich extracts of Streptococcus mutans by anion-exchange chromatography, although at a reduced yield compared with conventional phenol extraction. However, the non-ionic detergent solubilisation method has a number of distinct advantages over phenol extraction, notably that it is less time consuming, less aggressive and less hazardous. These advantages may prove sufficient to outweigh the disadvantage of reduced yield. This technique provides a novel method for extraction of lipoteichoic acid which may be extended to include other macroamphiphiles such as lipoglycans and lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin).