Open AccessDirect proof of a "more-than-single-layered" peptidoglycan architecture of Escherichia coli W7: a neutron small-angle scattering study
Author(s) -
Harald Labischinski,
E. W. Goodell,
A Goodell,
Michael Hochberg
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.652
H-Index - 246
eISSN - 1067-8832
pISSN - 0021-9193
DOI - 10.1128/jb.173.2.751-756.1991
Subject(s) - peptidoglycan , scattering , escherichia coli , small angle neutron scattering , neutron , neutron scattering , small angle x ray scattering , biology , resolution (logic) , crystallography , optics , materials science , cell wall , molecular physics , physics , chemistry , biochemistry , quantum mechanics , gene , artificial intelligence , computer science
A neutron small-angle scattering study was performed to determine the thickness and the scattering density profile of isolated peptidoglycan sacculi of Escherichia coli W7 in aqueous suspension (D2O). The maximum thickness (7 +/- 0.5 nm) of the sacculus from the exponential-phase cells was large enough to suggest the existence of a more-than-single-layered architecture. The experimental density profile across the thickness of the sacculus did not allow an unambiguous differentiation between a single-layered architecture characterized by completely extended peptide side chains projecting from the sugar strands or, alternatively, a partially triple layered structure. To resolve this ambiguity, sacculi were labeled with deuterated wall peptides. Comparison of the two experimental profiles indicated that the sacculus is more than single layered across its surface, with about 75 to 80% of its surface single layered and 20 to 25% triple layered.