[Study of the penicillinase of the plague microbe, the synthesis of which is determined by the R-episome].

Penicillinase produced by a culture of the plague microbe with episomic resistance to benzylpenicillin was isolated and purified. Comparative investigation of the substrate spectrum, Michaelis constant and antigenic properties of the enzymes from the plague and dysentery microbes (R-factor donor) showed that transfer of the R-episome to the new host did not affect the investigated properties of penicillinase the synthesis of which was controlled by this episome.