Local nanomechanical motion of the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
We demonstrate that the cell wall of living Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) exhibits local temperature-dependent nanomechanical motion at characteristic frequencies. The periodic motions in the range of 0.8 to 1.6 kHz with amplitudes of approximately 3 nm were measured using the cantilever of an atomic force microscope (AFM). Exposure of the cells to a metabolic inhibitor causes the periodic motion to cease. From the strong frequency dependence on temperature, we derive an activation energy of 58 kJ/mol, which is consistent with the cell's metabolism involving molecular motors such as kinesin, dynein, and myosin. The magnitude of the forces observed ( approximately 10 nN) suggests concerted nanomechanical activity is operative in the cell.
Pelling
Andrew E
AE
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Sehati
Sadaf
S
Gralla
Edith B
EB
Valentine
Joan S
JS
Gimzewski
James K
JK
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D009038:Motion; D009068:Movement; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019810:Sodium Azide / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature
D019810:Sodium Azide