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Electron microscopic studies on protoplast release from I.C.A.-1.65 line (I.F.C.-1.65 line) of Bacillus subtilis
M D Ionescu1, G Mihăescu, G Mencinicopschi
1Cantacuzino Institute, Bucharest, Romania.
Abstract:
Under lysozyme action a minicell-forming line (I.C.A.-1.65) of B. subtilis releases protoplasts. The main cytologic events which proceed protoplast releasing are described. Different areas of the cell wall prove a remarkable difference in their sensitivity to enzymatic lysozyme action. Central areas of the cell wall are most sensitive and the polar areas are most resistant. Mesosomal vesicles and tubules are extruded and released together with other cytoplasmic extrusion during the protoplasting process. The cell wall of minicells does not prove resistance particularities to lysozyme action. The minicells release protoplasts.
Insights
Bacillus subtilis minicells release protoplasts when treated with lysozyme. The cell wall
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Enzymology
Background:
- Lysozyme is an enzyme that degrades bacterial cell walls.
- Minicells are small, anucleate cells produced by some bacteria.
- Understanding protoplast formation is crucial for bacterial cell manipulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the cytologic events during protoplast release from Bacillus subtilis minicells.
- To investigate the differential sensitivity of the Bacillus subtilis cell wall to lysozyme action.
- To determine if minicell walls exhibit unique resistance properties to lysozyme.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of a minicell-forming Bacillus subtilis strain (I.C.A.-1.65) with lysozyme.
- Microscopic observation and description of cellular events during protoplast release.
- Analysis of cell wall sensitivity to enzymatic degradation.
Main Results:
- Lysozyme treatment induced protoplast release from Bacillus subtilis minicells.
- Central cell wall regions showed higher sensitivity to lysozyme than polar regions.
- Mesosomal vesicles and tubules were extruded during protoplast release.
- Minicell walls did not display unique resistance to lysozyme action.
Conclusions:
- The study details the process of protoplast formation in Bacillus subtilis minicells.
- Differential lysozyme sensitivity exists across the Bacillus subtilis cell wall.
- Minicells are susceptible to lysozyme-induced protoplast release, similar to parent cells.