AFM resolves dynamic effects of ethambutol on nanomechanics and nanostructures of single dividing mycobacterium cells

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Dynamic nanomechanics and nanostructures of dividing and anti-mycobacterial drug treated mycobacterium are yet to fully elucidate. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a promising nanotechnology to characterize such dynamic properties, especially at the single cell level. In this work, single dividing mycobacterium JLS (M.JLS) before and after anti-mycobacterial drug (ethambutol, EMB) treatment was in situ quantitatively characterized, suggesting that nanomechanics would be referred as a sensitive indicator for evaluating efficacy of anti-mycobacterial drugs. Dynamic evidences on contractile ring and septal furrow of dividing M. JLS implied that inhibition of contractile ring formation would be a crucial process for EMB to disturb M.JLS division. These results facilitated further explaining the regulation mechanism of the contractile ring as well as nanomechanical roles associated with mycobacterial division or drug treatment, which shed new light on the mechanism investigation of anti-mycobacterial drugs and might advance the development of new anti-pathogenic mycobacterial drugs.

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Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Nanotechnology 2013: Bio Sensors, Instruments, Medical, Environment and Energy (Volume 3)
Published: May 12, 2013
Pages: 41 - 44
Industry sector: Medical & Biotech
Topics: Diagnostics & Bioimaging, Sensors - Chemical, Physical & Bio
ISBN: 978-1-4822-0586-2