RRC ID 46985
Author Yamada H, Mitarai S, Chikamatsu K, Mizuno K, Yamaguchi M.
Title Novel freeze-substitution electron microscopy provides new aspects of virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis with visualization of the outer membrane and satisfying biosafety requirements.
Journal J Microbiol Methods
Abstract Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of virulent bacteria is usually performed following chemical fixation (CF) with aldehyde fixatives such as glutaraldehyde because of the biosafety problem. However, CF may alter sample ultrastructure. In this study, we used a rapid-freeze substitution (RFS) sandwich method without pre-embedding in agar. TEM images obtained using this method were completely different from those of conventional chemically fixed samples; the bacilli cytoplasm of the RFS preparations was filled evenly with numerous ribosomes, and there was no positional variation of electron density that was obvious in those obtained with CF samples. The sandwich method is suitable for microbiological materials without expensive devices and can be easily performed in a biosafety cabinet. In future, this method coupled with novel labeling techniques may help localize structural and functional molecules throughout a bacterial cell.
Volume 80(1)
Pages 14-8
Published 2010-1-1
DOI 10.1016/j.mimet.2009.09.022
PII S0167-7012(09)00306-6
PMID 19799941
MeSH Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / chemistry* Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / ultrastructure Fixatives / chemistry Freeze Substitution / methods* Glutaral / chemistry Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods* Mycobacterium tuberculosis / chemistry* Mycobacterium tuberculosis / pathogenicity Mycobacterium tuberculosis / ultrastructure Virulence
IF 1.707
Times Cited 10
WOS Category BIOCHEMICAL RESEARCH METHODS MICROBIOLOGY
Resource
Pathogenic microorganisms