In vitro high-resolution structural dynamics of single germinating bacterial spores

Journal Article · Tue Nov 14 04:00:00 EST 2006 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

OSTI ID:919603

Plomp, M; Leighton, T; Wheeler, K; Malkin, A

Although significant progress has been achieved in understanding the genetic and biochemical bases of the spore germination process, the structural basis for breaking the dormant spore state remains poorly understood. We have used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to probe the high-resolution structural dynamics of single Bacillus atrophaeus spores germinating under native conditions. Here we show that AFM can reveal previously unrecognized germination-induced alterations in spore coat architecture and topology as well as the disassembly of outer spore coat rodlet structures. These results and previous studies in other microorganisms suggest that the spore coat rodlets are structurally similar to amyloid fibrils. AFM analysis of the nascent surface of the emerging germ cell revealed a porous network of peptidoglycan fibers. The results are consistent with a honeycomb model structure for synthetic peptidoglycan oligomers determined by nuclear magnetic resonance. AFM is a promising experimental tool for investigating the morphogenesis of spore germination and cell wall peptidoglycan structure.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 919603
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JRNL-226163
• Journal Information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 104; ISSN 0027-8424; ISSN PNASA6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY
BACTERIAL SPORES
CELL WALL
GERM CELLS
GERMINATION
IN VITRO
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
SPORES