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Nanoscopic morphological changes in yeast cell surfaces caused by oxidative stress: an atomic force microscopic study
Elisabetta Canetta1, Graeme M Walker, Ashok K Adya
1Condensed Matter Group and BIONTHE (Bio- and Nano- Technologies for Health and Environment) Centre, University of Abertay Dundee, Dundee DD1 1HG, U.K.
Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
|July 15, 2009
Summary
This study used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to reveal how hydrogen peroxide affects yeast cell surfaces. Oxidative stress impacts yeast morphology, viability, and aging, with differences noted between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Microbial cell surface morphology is crucial for understanding cellular responses to environmental stress.
- Oxidative stress, induced by agents like hydrogen peroxide, significantly impacts yeast physiology.
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) offers high-resolution insights into nanoscale surface changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nanoscopic changes in yeast cell surface morphology under varying hydrogen peroxide concentrations.
- To compare the oxidative stress response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
- To demonstrate the utility of AFM in studying stressed microbial cells.
Main Methods:
- Yeast strains Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NCYC 1681) and Schizosaccharomyces pombe (DVPB 1354) were exposed to different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was employed to analyze cell surface morphology at the nanoscale.
- Cell viability, mean cell volume, surface roughness, cell compression, and aging were quantified.
Main Results:
- Increasing hydrogen peroxide concentrations led to decreased cell viability and mean cell volume in both yeast species.
- Surface roughness and cell compression increased with higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations.
- AFM revealed an increased number of aged yeast cells under oxidative stress conditions.
Conclusions:
- AFM is a valuable tool for investigating the nanoscale morphology of microbial cells under stress.
- Oxidative stress induces significant morphological changes, including compression and increased roughness, in S. cerevisiae and Schiz. pombe.
- The study provides novel insights into the relative oxidative stress tolerance of these two yeast species.
