Bacterial capsules: no barrier against Bdellovibrio.
Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J attached to both capsulated and non-capsulated Escherichia coli K29 cells. Electron microscopy revealed penetration of the thick polysaccharide capsule without any major disintegration of the neighbouring capsular matrix. The capsule remained intact during bdelloplast formation and lysis was unaffected by capsulation of the prey cell. This study shows that, in contrast to its effect on bacteriophage penetration and its protective activities against immune defence mechanisms, the capsule of E. coli does not serve as a barrier against invasion by B. bacteriovorus.
Koval
Susan F
SF
Department of Microbiology and Immunology University of Western Ontario London, ON N6A 5C1 Canada.
Bayer
Manfred E
ME
Fox Chase Cancer Center Institute for Cancer Research 7701 Burholme Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA.
D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001501:Bdellovibrio / Q000502:physiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron