Ultrastructural Organization of the Bacillus Subtilis Biofilm Matrix in the Stationary Phase
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Background. The ecological and geographical conditions of microorganisms (MO) can influence the ultrastructural organisation of their biofilm matrix and the accumulation of various bioactive compounds in it. Knowledge of such organisation in Arctic paleobacteria is extremely important for studying the mechanisms of biosynthesis and dispersion of biofilms formed by them, based on complex genetic programmes. Purpose. Demonstrate the possibilities and show the main technical achievements of electron microscopy in the field of studying the biofilm matrix of palaeobacterium Bacillus sp. strain B1M isolated from waterlogged dispersed rocks that have passed into the frozen state. Materials and methods. The object of the study was an MO of the genus Bacillus sp. isolated from water-wet dispersed rocks that had been frozen and deposited in DDBJ/EMBL/GeneBank (No. AB178889, identification No. 20040510203204.24251). Studies of cell ultrastructures were performed by analysing their ultrathin sections. Visualisation of ultrathin cell slices was carried out on electron microscope JEM-1011 (‘JEOL’, Japan) at accelerating voltage 80 kV. The values of cortisol-like steroid, serotonin-like and dopamine-like peptides were determined using ELISA technology. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using ‘IBM SPSS Statistics 21’ and Microsoft Excel programmes. Results. It was revealed that structural heterogeneity is characteristic for the biofilm matrix organisation of Bacillus paleobacteria. On cell slices there are contacting formations in the form of long tunnelling nanotubes with an internal channel. The MO surface is covered with numerous cytoplasmic microvilli. The cell wall was found to be relatively permeable. There are numerous round vesicles surrounded by membranes around the bacterial cells. MOs actively produce cortisol-like steroid, serotonin-like and dopamine-like peptides. Conclusion. The use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) allowed us to identify and analyse the ultrastructural organisation of the matrix of Bacillus sp. strain B1M biofilm isolated from waterlogged dispersed rocks that have been frozen. EDN: FQUSQS
Institution: Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $350
OpenAlex ID: W4409851812