Cell surface alterations induced by methylene blue and direct electric current in Escherichia coli.
Cell surface properties, including hydrophobicity, zeta potential, carbohydrate and fatty acid components, were altered on treatment of E. coli K12 with methylene blue (MB) and direct electric current (DC). The treatment of fimbriated E. coli cells with MB greatly increased the agglutination of yeast cells when compared to untreated bacteria. However, this increased agglutination was markedly reduced when the bacteria were treated with MB plus DC. These results suggest that MB modifies cell surface components in the absence of light and these alterations are more pronounced when cells are treated simultaneously with MB and DC.
Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
C
C
Holandino
M A
MA
Capella
J
J
Angluster
F C
FC
Silva-Filho
S
S
Menezes
C S
CS
Alviano
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D008751:Methylene Blue