Influence of cell shape and surface charge on attachment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae to glass surfaces

Abstract

Attachment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae to glass is reduced in the presence of protein, and fatty acid-free bovine serum albumin is more effective than Cohn fraction V. Cultures in the early log phase (pH 7.45 to 7.25) and cultures in the stationary or decline phase (pH 6.9 to 6.4) were more sensitive to this inhibiting effect of protein-containing buffer. Treatment of the glass surface with bovine serum albumin, concanavalin A, or polylysine reduced attachment of the mycoplasma cells. The inhibiting effects of both proteins in buffer or on the glass surface could be overcome by the addition of glucose. Modification of the mycoplasma surface charge by blocking of carboxyl groups or neutralization of ionic lipids by tetracaine altered the attachment level, whereas fibronectin and its corresponding antiserum were without effect. The results suggest that the mycoplasma interaction with glass is a complex multifactorial process. In proteinfree buffer both hydrophobic and electrostatic forces are involved; in proteincontaining fluid, other factors seem to be involved. The energy required for this type of attachment could be necessary for maintenance of cell shape or synthesis of polypeptides.

Effect of cadmium and zinc on attachment and detachment interactions of Pseudomonas fluorescens H2 with glass

“…It is possible that once attachment is achieved the other short-range interactions, e.g., charge interactions, H-bonding, etc. (10,18,22), establish durable adhesion. Cells exposed to Cd or Zn at the time of attachment or during detachment showed different amounts of detachment depending on metal concentration, type, and time of metal exposure ( Fig.…”

Bacterial Interactions with Immobilized Liquid Layers

“…[4,10] It is also clear from the subsequent removal cycles for all three species that other factors in addition to flagella are likely contributing to the interaction with the infused polymer surface and/or liquid overlayer. These may include cell shape and surface charge, [31] cell membrane composition, [32] and/or cell motility. [33] Now that the methods presented here have been shown effective at revealing the differences between different species, further tests should include a systematic investigation of these factors as well.…”

The evolution of spherical cell shape; progress and perspective

“…Bacteria can be oblongs or spheroids ( Pneumococcus ), star-shaped ( Stella ), or short curved rods ( Caulobacter and Vibrio ) [2]. Furthermore, bacteria can modify their shapes by making specialised structures, such as extensions that act as appendages in Caulobacter [3]; or by switching between different forms in response to changing environments as seen in Mycoplasma [4]. If we also consider variations in cell size, then the range of bacterial morphologies becomes even more staggering.…”