Killing of Escherichia coli by a granulocyte fraction occurs without recognizable ultrastructural alterations in the bacterial envelope, as studied by freeze-fracture electron microscopy.
Concentrations of a highly purified rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte fraction that rapidly caused irreversible loss of viability of Escherichia coli (S15) but reversible envelope alterations produced no recognizable morphological changes as studied by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. These findings support previous evidence that the killing of certain gram-negative microorganisms by granulocyte fractions occurs with minimal structural or functional disorganization of cytoplasmic and outer membranes.
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils
D003609:Dactinomycin; D008274:Magnesium