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The interplay between cell wall mechanical properties and the cell cycle in Staphylococcus aureus
Richard G Bailey1, Robert D Turner2, Nic Mullin3
1Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
Biophysical Journal
|December 4, 2014
Summary
The mechanical properties of Staphylococcus aureus cell walls change during cell division, with the new septum being stiffer than the older wall. These changes are driven by cell wall remodeling, not turgor pressure.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant human pathogen.
- Understanding bacterial cell wall mechanics is crucial for developing new antimicrobial strategies.
- Cell division involves complex remodeling of the bacterial cell envelope.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nanoscale mechanical properties of live Staphylococcus aureus cells.
- To determine how cell wall mechanics change during different growth phases, particularly cell division.
- To elucidate the role of cell turgor pressure versus cell wall remodeling in division.
Main Methods:
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to probe mechanical properties.
- Indentation at various depths assessed local cell wall and whole-cell properties.
- Analysis focused on changes throughout the bacterial cell cycle.
Main Results:
- Local cell wall stiffness varied characteristically during division.
- A softening along the division circumference preceded cell splitting.
- The newly formed septum was stiffer than the older cell wall.
- Whole-cell stiffness, influenced by turgor pressure, remained constant.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial cell shape evolution during division is primarily governed by localized cell wall remodeling.
- Enzymatic processes and regional variations in cell wall properties dictate mechanical changes.
- Cell turgor pressure does not appear to be the primary driver of stiffness changes during division.
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