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Published on: May 8, 2013
Mesosomes are a definite event in antibiotic-treated Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923
L Santhana Raj1, H L Hing, Omar Baharudin
1Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur. santhana@imr.gov.my
Abstract:
Mesosomes of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 treated with antibiotics were examined morphologically under the electron microscope. The Transmission Electron Microscope Rapid Method was used to eliminate the artifacts due to sample processing. Mesosomes were seen in all the antibiotic treated bacteria and not in the control group. The main factor that contributes to the formation of mesosomes in the bacteria was the mode of action of the antibiotics. The continuous cytoplasmic membrane with infolding (mesosomes) as in the S. aureus ATCC 25923 is therefore confirmed as a definite pattern of membrane organization in gram positive bacteria assaulted by amikacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin and oxacillin antibiotics. Our preliminary results show oxacillin and vancomycin treated bacteria seemed to have deeper and more mesosomes than those treated with amikacin, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. Further research is needed to ascertain whether the deep invagination and the number of mesosomes formed is associated with the types of antibiotic used.
Insights
Antibiotic treatment induces mesosome formation in Staphylococcus aureus, a key feature of gram-positive bacteria membrane organization. Different antibiotics cause varying degrees of mesosome development, suggesting a link between antibiotic action and membrane response.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Mesosomes are intracellular membrane structures observed in bacteria.
- Their formation and function remain subjects of ongoing research.
- Understanding bacterial membrane dynamics is crucial for developing effective antimicrobial strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological changes, specifically mesosome formation, in Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 upon exposure to various antibiotics.
- To confirm mesosomes as a characteristic membrane organization pattern in Gram-positive bacteria under antibiotic stress.
- To explore the potential correlation between antibiotic class/mechanism and the extent of mesosome formation.
Main Methods:
- Morphological examination of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
- Application of the TEM Rapid Method to minimize sample processing artifacts.
- Comparative analysis of mesosome formation across different antibiotic treatment groups (amikacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, oxacillin) and a control group.
Main Results:
- Mesosomes were consistently observed in antibiotic-treated Staphylococcus aureus but absent in the control group.
- The formation of mesosomes was directly linked to the mode of action of the antibiotics used.
- Preliminary data indicated that oxacillin and vancomycin induced deeper and more numerous mesosomes compared to amikacin, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms that mesosomes represent a definite pattern of membrane organization in Gram-positive bacteria, such as S. aureus, when subjected to specific antibiotic assaults.
- Antibiotic-induced mesosome formation is influenced by the type of antibiotic, with variations observed in depth and quantity.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise relationship between antibiotic properties and the observed mesosome characteristics.
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