Morphological and ultrastructural changes in bacterial cells as an indicator of antibacterial mechanism of action.

Morphological and ultrastructural changes in bacterial cells as an indicator of antibacterial mechanism of action.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2016 Jul 8;
Authors: Cushnie TP, O'Driscoll NH, Lamb AJ
Abstract
Efforts to reduce the global burden of bacterial disease and contend with escalating bacterial resistance are spurring innovation in antibacterial drug and biocide development and related technologies such as photodynamic therapy and photochemical disinfection. Elucidation of the mechanism of action of these new agents and processes can greatly facilitate their development, but it is a complex endeavour. One strategy that has been popular for many years, and which is garnering increasing interest due to recent technological advances in microscopy and a deeper understanding of the molecular events involved, is the examination of treated bacteria for changes to their morphology and ultrastructure. In this review, we take a critical look at this approach. Variables affecting antibacterial-induced alterations are discussed first. These include characteristics of the test organism (e.g. cell wall structure) and incubation conditions (e.g. growth medium osmolarity). The main body of the review then describes the different alterations that can occur. Micrographs depicting these alterations are presented, together with information on agents that induce the change, and the sequence of molecular events that lead to the change. We close by highlight...

Source: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS - July 7, 2016 Category: Cytology Authors: Cushnie TP, O'Driscoll NH, Lamb AJ Tags: Cell Mol Life Sci Source Type: research