Effect of glycine on phospholipids of Mycobacterium smegmatis ATCC 607.

Addition of glycine in low concentrations to modified Youman's medium led to a slight increase in both the total lipid and phospholipid content of Mycobacterium smegmatis ATCC 607 without a concomitant alteration in either the ratio of the individual phospholipids or the amount and characteristics of growth. However, high concentrations of glycine led to a decrease in both the total lipid and phospholipid content, a change in the ratio of the individual phospholipids, a decrease in the amount of growth and a change in its characteristics. The association of a decrease in the amount of growth and a change in its characteristic with a decrease in the content of triacylated mannophosphoinositides points to the biological importance of these phosphoglycolipids.