The effects of phospholipid depletion on the cleavage pattern of the cell walls of frozen Gram-negative bacteria

1973 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 1056-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Forge ◽  
J. W. Costerton

Extraction of whole cells of the marine pseudomonad (B-16) with chloroform–methanol causes the disappearance of the cleavage planes, and the cross-sectioned profile of both the cytoplasmic membrane and the double-track layer of the cell wall.

1966 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Jane Carson ◽  
R. G. Eagon

Electron micrographs of thin sections of normal cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the cell walls to be convoluted and to be composed of two distinct layers. Electron micrographs of thin sections of lysozyme-treated cells of P. aeruginosa showed (a) that the cell walls lost much of their convoluted nature; (b) that the layers of the cell walls became diffuse and less distinct; and (c) that the cell walls became separated from the protoplasts over extensive cellular areas. These results suggest that the peptidoglycan component of the unaltered cell walls of P. aeruginosa is sensitive to lysozyme. Furthermore, it appears that the peptidoglycan component is not solely responsible for the rigidity of the cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria.


mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten G. K. Ghequire ◽  
Susan K. Buchanan ◽  
René De Mot

ABSTRACT Bacteria host an arsenal of antagonism-mediating molecules to combat for ecologic space. Bacteriocins represent a pivotal group of secreted antibacterial peptides and proteins assisting in this fight, mainly eliminating relatives. Colicin M, a model for peptidoglycan-interfering bacteriocins in Gram-negative bacteria, appears to be part of a set of polymorphic toxins equipped with such a catalytic domain (ColM) targeting lipid II. Diversifying recombination has enabled parasitism of different receptors and has also given rise to hybrid bacteriocins in which ColM is associated with another toxin module. Remarkably, ColM toxins have recruited a diverse array of immunity partners, comprising cytoplasmic membrane-associated proteins with different topologies. Together, these findings suggest that different immunity mechanisms have evolved for ColM, in contrast to bacteriocins with nuclease activities.


1957 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Grula ◽  
S. E. Hartsell

Whole cells or the cell walls of 22 species representing 11 genera of Gram-negative bacteria were exposed to lysozyme using a modified Nakamura technique. The cell walls of all organisms contain the lysozyme substrate in differing amounts (two Brucella spp., Proteus vulgaris X-19, and Vibrio cholerae Chicago are possible exceptions) when evaluated spectrophotometrically and with the electron microscope. Using the latter technique, the sequence of events during bacteriolysis with lysozyme was observed. After exposure to lysozyme in saline, with the modified Nakamura technique and the phase microscope, cells were observed to either swell or shrink depending on the pH of the menstruum. This phenomenon apparently involves reversible hydration of cell proteins with concomitant changes in light transmission.


Author(s):  
Akira Matsumoto

Cell walls of the both types of bodies, mature elementary body(EB) and developmental reticulate body(RB) of Chlamydia psittaci appear the triple layered membrane in thin section. However, in the preparations shadowcast or stained negatively EB cell wall shows hexagonally arrayed structure composed of subunits, 180A in diameter on the inside surface, whereas RB cell wall does not have this structure. Chemical analysis demonstrated that EB cell wall contained a similar amino acid composition with the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria, such as E.coli. The bactericidal effect of polymixin group against gram-negative bacilli is understood that the drug affects to the cell wall and destroys its osmotic regulation. Electron microscopy on the effects of the drug against the gram-negative bacteria revealed the formation of numerous number of projections on the cell wall surface and leakage of cell content through the projections. The present report is concerned with further studies on the fine structure of EB cell walls based on the observation on their response to polymixin B sulfate.


1968 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-294
Author(s):  
MARGARET J. THORNLEY ◽  
AUDREY M. GLAUERT

An electron-microscope study of thin sections and negatively stained preparations of intact cells and isolated cell walls of a bacterium which is moderately resistant to ionizing radiation, Acinetobacter strain 199A, showed that it is similar to other Gram-negative bacteria except for its mode of division and for the fine structure of some of the surface layers. During division the cells form a fairly thick septum similar to those observed in Gram-positive bacteria. An examination of the appearance and chemical composition of isolated cell walls before and after treatment with enzymes, detergents and lipid solvents revealed that three layers, each with a characteristic fine structure, are present in the cell wall: (1) an outer membrane with an array of peg-like subunits; (2) a layer of wrinkled material which is digested by proteolytic enzymes; and (3) a smooth, rigid layer, which contains the mucopeptide components of the cell wall. These observations are compared with the results of other workers for various Gram-negative bacteria. From comparisons with the structure of more radiation-sensitive strains of Acinetobacter, it appears that layer (2) may be associated with the radiation resistance of the organism.


1965 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. E. Murray ◽  
Pamela Steed ◽  
H. E. Elson

Electron micrographs of sections of Escherichia coli have shown that the wall has an extra component 20–30 Å in thickness on the inside of the usual double-track profile. Demonstration was aided by treating the sections with uranium, lanthanum, thallium, or lead salts. This innermost layer alone was lost in spheroplasts produced by penicillin poisoning or treatment with lysozyme-EDTA, and was removed from isolated cell walls by lysozyme. The innermost layer is considered, therefore, to contain the mucopeptide characteristic of bacteria. The inner taut layer (or "intermediate layer") of Spirillum serpens, Vitreoscilla sp., and Simonsiella sp. was also found to be lysozyme sensitive. In the latter species this layer was the sole component of the septum, so that the outer cell wall components enclosed the elements of the trichoma. Other components were less easily localized but it was considered that the lipoprotein layer was outside of the limits of the wall profile usually visualized in sections. The outer layers generally loosened during embedding, but in E. coli and some others the layers all stayed tightly adherent to each other. The Gram-negative bacteria seem to have the double-track layer and the mucopeptide as a basic complement for the cell wall.


1985 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 1893-1898 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Beveridge ◽  
W. S. Fyfe

All biomass contains a significant quantity of metallic constituents, and mineralization in living and dead biodebris may contribute to element transport from the hydrosphere into sediments. The anionic cell walls of bacteria are remarkable in their ability to fix metals and provide sites for nucleation and growth of minerals. Results presented show the types of cell wall polymers that are responsible for metal binding in walls of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.


1979 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. N. Van Brussel ◽  
J. W. Costerton ◽  
J.J. Child

The induction of nitrogenase (C2H2) activity in asymbiotically cultured Rhizobium sp. 32H1 was found to be associated with morphological changes in the cells which were more pronounced than those seen in bacteroids. Polyphosphate granules were found in both bacteroids and cultured cells, but poly-β-hydroxybutyrate vesicles were almost absent in bacteroids but were present in cultured cells. Freeze-etching techniques revealed no differences between the asymbiotically cultured nitrogen-fixing forms and bacteroids in that both the cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane cleavage planes were normal for gram-negative bacteria.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsukasa Tominari ◽  
Ayumi Sanada ◽  
Ryota Ichimaru ◽  
Chiho Matsumoto ◽  
Michiko Hirata ◽  
...  

AbstractPeriodontitis is an inflammatory disease associated with severe alveolar bone loss and is dominantly induced by lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria; however, the role of Gram-positive bacteria in periodontal bone resorption remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a major cell-wall factor of Gram-positive bacteria, on the progression of inflammatory alveolar bone loss in a model of periodontitis. In coculture of mouse primary osteoblasts and bone marrow cells, LTA induced osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. LTA enhanced the production of PGE2 accompanying the upregulation of the mRNA expression of mPGES-1, COX-2 and RANKL in osteoblasts. The addition of indomethacin effectively blocked the LTA-induced osteoclast differentiation by suppressing the production of PGE2. Using ex vivo organ cultures of mouse alveolar bone, we found that LTA induced alveolar bone resorption and that this was suppressed by indomethacin. In an experimental model of periodontitis, LTA was locally injected into the mouse lower gingiva, and we clearly detected alveolar bone destruction using 3D-μCT. We herein demonstrate a new concept indicating that Gram-positive bacteria in addition to Gram-negative bacteria are associated with the progression of periodontal bone loss.


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