Advanced microscopic characterization of Rhodospirillum rubrum with various PHA contents

abstract

English

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are microbial polyesters of hydroxy acids that are produced and accumulated in various microorganisms. It is generally known, that PHA do not serve only as energy and carbon source for microorganisms, but it has additional advantages for the vitality of cells during stress conditions (low temperature, pH, etc). In our study, we focused on Rhodospirillum rubrum (DSM 467), Gram-negative bacterium revealing substantial metabolic versatility and adaptability. Because of the role of PHA in this bacterium with remarkable versatility in metabolic strategies in the context of the biological importance of PHA under various metabolic conditions, we focused on the fundamental characterization of PHA granules in cells of R. rubrum and its involvement in biophysical and biochemical properties of these cells by several microscopic techniques. We used advanced microscopy techniques to investigate of the morphology of cells with various PHA contents such as Fluoresce Lifetime Imaging microscopy (FLIM), Transmission Electron microscopy (TEM) and freeze-fracture Cryogenic Scanning Electron Microscopy (cryo-SEM). For complex information about granules of PHA in cells, we also used Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).

polyhydroxyalkanoates,Rhodospirillum rubrum,microscopic techniques

SLANINOVÁ, E.; MRÁZOVÁ, K.; HAVLÍKOVÁ, M.; SEDLÁČEK, P.; ZINN, M.; OBRUČA, S.

5. 10. 2022