超高压处理对副溶血性弧菌细胞膜组成成分的影响

【目的】探讨水产品中副溶血性弧菌基于细胞膜损伤和修复的耐超高压胁迫机制。【方法】以80-250MPa超高压多次处理原始敏感菌株,从中筛选分离副溶血弧菌的耐压菌株,通过紫外分光光度法测定超高压处理前后细胞膜通透性的变化;采用SDS-PAGE电泳技术分析原始敏感菌株与耐高压胁迫菌株细胞膜可溶性蛋白的差异,采用超微量Na+K+ATP酶试剂盒分别测定原始菌株与耐压菌株的Na+K+ATP酶活性,用GC-MS法分析耐压菌株与原始菌株细胞膜脂肪酸组成的差异。【结果】分离获得的副溶血弧菌耐压菌株直接经250 MPa压力胁迫处理,存活量可较原始菌株提高103数量级。当处理压力大于400 MPa时,耐压菌株上清液中核酸物质泄露与原始菌株差异显著。耐压菌的可溶性膜蛋白在分子量为36 kDa处浓度明显增加,Na+K+ATPase酶活性比原始菌株提高了83.3%,细胞膜不饱和脂肪酸含量由51.57%变为54.23%。【结论】原始的副溶血性弧菌在250 MPa压力处理后存活率为0.0008%,而耐高压胁迫菌株在250 MPa压力处理后存活率可达到0.28%。经超高压处理分离得到的耐压菌株细胞膜上低分子量可溶性膜蛋白含量高于原始菌株、Na+K+ATPase酶活性显著高于原始菌株、不饱和脂肪酸比例加大,这些细胞膜上的主要成分含量的变化均与菌株耐压性有关。     

超高压对单增李斯特菌细胞膜的损伤和致死机理

【目的】研究超高压对病原微生物单增李斯特菌细胞膜损伤的影响。【方法】本文以单增李斯特菌为研究对象,探讨了不同压力处理(100-500 MPa)对单增李斯特菌的灭活作用,利用透射电镜观察高压处理对细菌细胞超微结构的影响,通过紫外分光光度法、原子吸收分光光度法和荧光分光光度法测定高压处理对细菌细胞膜通透性的影响,采用超微量Na+/K+-ATP酶试剂盒测定高压处理对细菌细胞膜Na+/K+-ATP酶活力的影响。【结果】25℃经300、350、400 MPa压力处理15 min后,单增李斯特菌总数由9.00分别降至5.20、3.27、1.35个对数单位,经450MPa及以上的压力处理后,单增李斯特菌的致死率达到100%。超高压处理对单增李斯特菌的细胞超微结构造成明显的损伤,细胞结构不完整,细胞壁局部被破坏,细胞膜通透性增大,细胞内物质聚合,出现透电子区。由于细胞膜的损伤使得细胞内无机盐离子、紫外吸收物质流出,细胞膜上的Na+/K+-ATPase失活。【结论】超高压处理造成单增李斯特菌细胞形态结构明显损伤,改变细胞膜的通透性,降低细胞膜上Na+/K+-ATP酶活力,最终使得细胞内无机盐离子和胞内大分子物质外流而死亡。     

高通量快速测定致病性及非致病性副溶血性弧菌最大比生长速率

【目的】比较15 °C、20 °C和25 °C时, 9株不同致病性与非致病性副溶血性弧菌菌株在TSB (3% NaCl, pH 8.0)中的最大比生长速率之间的差异。【方法】应用Bioscreen C全自动微生物生长曲线分析仪测定副溶血性弧菌的最大比生长速率。【结果】15 °C、 20 °C和25 °C时, 9株副溶血性弧菌菌株间最大比生长速率的变异系数分别为20.72%、17.5%和15.98%。不同副溶血性弧菌最大比生长速率之间的差异随着温度的降低而增加。【结论】在进行定量微生物风险评估时, 应用仅基于一株菌建立的生长预测模型会给预测结果带来较大的不确定性。需建立可描述不同副溶血性弧菌菌株的最大比生长速率的随机模型来为定量微生物风险评估提供更准确有效的预测模型。     

基于高通量共聚焦激光扫描显微镜方法定量分析副溶血性弧菌生物被膜结构

【目的】副溶血性弧菌是水产品中常见的食源性致病菌,生物被膜的形成对副溶血性弧菌的环境生存和传播至关重要。这项工作的目的是评估临床和环境中分离出的44株副溶血性弧菌菌株形成的生物被膜的结构多样性。【方法】该研究基于共聚焦激光扫描显微镜的高通量方法,使用与高分辨率成像兼容的96孔微量滴定板,结合结构分析软件ISA-2来研究生物被膜形成和结构,分析22株食品与22株临床来源的副溶血性弧菌菌株形成的生物被膜结构参数(生物体积、平均厚度、粗糙系数)。【结果】CLSM图像显示,44株副溶血性弧菌菌株在培养48h后能够形成3D结构,进一步比较分析了临床来源菌株与环境来源菌株形成的生物被膜结构异同,发现临床菌株生物被膜的变异系数比环境菌株生物被膜的变异系数小,且同时携带tdh和trh两种毒力因子的菌株生物被膜变异性最小。凝聚层次聚类分析结果显示,副溶血性弧菌生物被膜可以分为致密且表面光滑(39%)、斑驳且表面粗糙(27%)、疏松且表面坑洼(34%),临床菌株易形成致密且表面光滑和斑驳且表面粗糙的生物被膜,而环境菌株易形成致密且表面光滑和疏松且表面坑洼的生物被膜。【结论】该研究深入了解了副溶血性弧菌生物被膜结构差异性,为今后对临床和环境来源的副溶血性弧菌生物被膜采取不同的防控和清除措施提供了理论支撑。     

不同温度条件下副溶血性弧菌tdh基因表达及其代谢组响应

【目的】采用RT-PCR的方法分析致病性副溶血性弧菌毒力基因表达,并应用代谢组学的方法研究毒力基因不同表达水平下致病性副溶血性弧菌代谢组的响应。【方法】本文以致病性副溶血性弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus)ATCC33846为材料,分别提取不同温度(4、25和37℃)下菌体总RNA和代谢组。采用相对定量的方法检测副溶血性弧菌tdh基因在不同温度条件下的表达差异,同时应用超高压液相色谱-四级杆飞行时间质谱联用仪(UPLC/Q-TOF-MS)系统为工作平台检测其代谢组。采用主成分分析法(principal component analysis,PCA)比较副溶血性弧菌代谢组轮廓差异,并通过皮尔森和斯皮尔曼相关性分析法分析代谢组与tdh基因表达之间相关性。【结果】结果表明,不同温度条件下tdh基因表达强弱的排列顺序25℃4℃37℃;在tdh基因不同表达水平下发生显著性(P0.05)变化的主要代谢物是有机酸、氨基酸、醇、酮、酯;共得到11种代谢物与tdh基因表达高度相关(相关性系数︱r︱=1,P0.05),其中3种为负相关,8种为正相关,且醇类代谢物与tdh基因表达的正相关性最显著。【结论】本研究发现副溶血性弧菌代谢组与毒力基因表达存在一定的相关性,有望为副溶血性弧菌致病机理的深入探究提供一定的理论支持。     

信号分子AI-2的体外合成及其对副溶血性弧菌四环素耐药性的调控作用

【背景】抗菌药的过度使用引起细菌耐药性日益严重,作为重要的食源性致病菌,副溶血性弧菌也表现出一定程度的耐药性。群体感应系统可以调控细菌的耐药性,为研究副溶血性弧菌的耐药机制和控制技术提供新的途径。【目的】探讨群体感应信号分子AI-2 (autoinducer-2)对海产品中分离的副溶血性弧菌四环素耐药性的调控作用。【方法】通过原核表达制备AI-2合成关键酶——S-核糖同型半胱氨酸酶(S-ribosylhomocysteinase, LuxS)和S-腺苷同型半胱氨酸核苷酶(S-adenosylhomocysteinenucleosidase,Pfs),体外合成AI-2,通过菌落计数法分析AI-2对副溶血性弧菌在四环素亚抑菌浓度下耐受性的影响,采用逆转录实时荧光定量PCR法测定不同浓度AI-2对副溶血性弧菌四环素耐药基因转录水平的影响。【结果】通过原核表达获得LuxS和Pfs,作用于底物S-腺苷同型半胱氨酸能合成具有生物活性的AI-2,其荧光强度约为阳性对照的6倍。在四环素亚抑菌浓度下,AI-2能显著促进副溶血性弧菌的生长,6、15、30μmol/L浓度AI-2能不同程度地提高副溶血性弧菌四环素耐药基因的转录水平。【结论】AI-2能增强副溶血性弧菌对四环素的耐受作用,为解析副溶血性弧菌的耐药机制、研制以AI-2为靶点的副溶血性弧菌耐药性控制技术提供基础。     

副溶血性弧菌全基因组DNA芯片的研制和质量评价

【目的】研制副溶血性弧菌全基因组芯片,建立芯片杂交方法,并对芯片质量进行评价。【方法】利用副溶血性弧菌全基因组序列,挑选出4770条基因,PCR扩增各基因并将PCR产物纯化,点样制备芯片;设计了两个质控杂交组合,采用双色荧光杂交策略,对芯片质量进行评价;PCR方法验证部分芯片结果。【结果】芯片杂交与理论预期结果以及PCR验证结果完全一致。【结论】成功的研制了一批质量良好的副溶血性弧菌全基因组DNA芯片,并建立了基于DNA芯片的副溶血性弧菌比较基因组学技术平台,建立了一套系统的芯片数据分析的标准方法。     

四重PCR检测副溶血性弧菌及其毒力基因方法的建立

【目的】建立同时检测副溶血性弧菌tox R、tdh、trh、tlh基因的四重PCR快速检测方法。【方法】分别以副溶血性弧菌的tox R、tdh、trh、tlh 4个基因为靶基因,设计4对特异性引物,对4对引物浓度和退火温度进行优化,获得最佳引物比例和扩增条件,建立快速检测致病性副溶血性弧菌的四重PCR体系。通过特异性验证、灵敏度验证以及模拟样品检测进行方法确认。【结果】四重PCR体系扩增条带与预期相符,即115 bp(tox R)、244 bp(tdh)、418 bp(trh)、759 bp(tlh)4个目的条带;用74株副溶血性弧菌和37株非目标菌的测试结果表明,所建立的方法有良好的特异性。该方法对模板DNA的检测灵敏度为50μg/L,纯培养物的检测灵敏度为6.7×103 CFU/m L;副溶血性弧菌含量为1.36 CFU/g的人工模拟样品增菌6 h后,tox R、tlh、tdh、trh 4个基因可同时被检出。【结论】该方法可实现同时检测携带tox R、tdh、trh、tlh 4种基因的副溶血性弧菌,对开展致病性副溶血性弧菌的检测研究具有一定现实意义。     

外源化学物质对副溶血性弧菌药物敏感性的影响

【目的】细菌对抗生素的耐药性已成为全球公共卫生问题关注的热点。有研究表明外源添加化学物质可以增强耐药细菌对抗生素的敏感性。本研究比较了3种化学物质葡萄糖、丙氨酸、甘油对增强副溶血性弧菌抗生素敏感性的作用效果。【方法】在亚抑菌浓度抗生素胁迫条件下,通过比较副溶血性弧菌在添加终浓度为10 mmol/L葡萄糖、丙氨酸、甘油后细菌存活率随时间的变化水平,来观察弧菌对亚抑菌浓度抗生素敏感性作用效果的改变,并采用氧化磷酸化解偶联剂CCCP对实验结果进行验证。【结果】发现3种外源化学物质均能增强亚抑菌浓度氨基糖苷类抗生素对副溶血性弧菌的杀菌能力,其中外源添加葡萄糖对增强亚抑菌浓度卡那霉素的杀菌能力最为显著,而对其他种类抗生素的杀菌能力则无明显增强作用。加入氧化磷酸化解偶联剂CCCP后可消除由外源化学物质引发的弧菌抗生素敏感性作用增强的现象。【结论】通过调节细菌细胞代谢水平可提高耐药副溶血性弧菌对氨基糖苷类抗生素的敏感性,对多重耐药副溶血性弧菌的防控具有一定的实际应用价值。     

环境压力条件与超高压对致病性副溶血性弧菌耐药性的影响（英文）

分析不同环境压力条件(温度、pH、渗透压和超高压)对12株致病性副溶血性弧菌耐药性的影响。利用微量肉汤稀释法测定菌株在不同温度(37℃和30℃)、渗透压(1%和6%NaCl)、pH(6.0和9.0)及超高压(180、250和300 MPa)条件影响下,其对所测抗生素的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)。结果表明,在1%和6%NaCl质量分数、pH 9.0条件下,副溶血性弧菌的耐药性增强,而在30℃、pH 6和超高压条件影响下,其耐药性减弱。此外,菌株在所测环境压力条件影响下,其对环丙沙星和头孢类抗生素的耐药性基本保持不变。环境压力条件的改变可能会增强致病性副溶血性弧菌的耐药性。     

Effects of hydrostatic pressure on the ultrastructure and leakage of internal substances in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The structural damage to and leakage of internal substances from Saccharomyces cerevisiae 0–39 cells induced by hydrostatic pressure were investigated. By scanning electron microscopy, yeast cells treated at room temperature with pressuresbellw 400 MPa for 10 min showed a slight alteration in outer shape. Transmission electron microscopy, however, showed that the inner structure of the cell began to be affected, especially the nuclear membrane, when treated with hydrostatic pressure around 100 MPa at room temperature for 10 min; at more than 400–600 MPa, further alterations appeared in the mitochondria and cytoplasm. Furthermore, when high pressure treatment was carried out at — 20° C, the inner structure of the cells was severely damaged even at 200 MPa, and almost all of the nuclear membrane disappeared, although the fluorescent nucleus in the cytoplasm was visible by 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. The structural damage of pressure-treated cells was accompanied by the leakage of internal substances. The efflux of UV-absorbing substances including amino acid pools, peptides, and metal ions increased with increase in pressure up to 600 MPa. In particular, amounts of individual metal ion release varied with the magnitude of hydrostatic pressures over 300 MPa, which suggests that the ions can be removed from the yeast cells separately by hydrostatic pressure treatment. Correspondence to: S. Shimada     

Response of pathogenic Vibrio species to high hydrostatic pressure.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802, Vibrio vulnificus ATCC 27562, Vibrio cholerae O:1 ATCC 14035, Vibrio cholerae non-O:1 ATCC 14547, Vibrio hollisae ATCC 33564, and Vibrio mimicus ATCC 33653 were treated with 200 to 300 MPa for 5 to 15 min at 25 degrees C. High hydrostatic pressure inactivated all strains of pathogenic Vibrio without triggering a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state; however, cells already existing in a VBNC state appeared to possess greater pressure resistance.     

In situ determination of the intracellular pH of Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum during pressure treatment

Hydrostatic pressure may affect the intracellular pH of microorganisms by (i) enhancing the dissociation of weak organic acids and (ii) increasing the permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane and inactivation of enzymes required for pH homeostasis. The internal pHs of Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum during and after pressure treatment at 200 and 300 MPa and at pH values ranging from 4.0 to 6.5 were determined. Pressure treatment at 200 MPa for up to 20 min did not reduce the viability of either strain at pH 6.5. Pressure treatment at pH 6.5 and 300 MPa reduced viable cell counts of Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum by 5 log after 20 and 120 min, respectively. Pressure inactivation was faster at pH 5 or 4. At ambient pressure, both strains maintained a transmembrane pH gradient of 1 pH unit at neutral pH and about 2 pH units at pH 4.0. During pressure treatment at 200 and 300 MPa, the internal pH of L. lactis was decreased to the value of the extracellular pH during compression. The same result was observed during treatment of Lactobacillus plantarum at 300 MPa. Lactobacillus plantarum was unable to restore the internal pH after a compression-decompression cycle at 300 MPa and pH 6.5. Lactococcus lactis lost the ability to restore its internal pH after 20 and 4 min of pressure treatment at 200 and 300 MPa, respectively. As a consequence, pressure-mediated stress reactions and cell death may be considered secondary effects promoted by pH and other environmental conditions.     

In Situ Determination of the Intracellular pH of Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum during Pressure Treatment

Hydrostatic pressure may affect the intracellular pH of microorganisms by (i) enhancing the dissociation of weak organic acids and (ii) increasing the permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane and inactivation of enzymes required for pH homeostasis. The internal pHs of Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum during and after pressure treatment at 200 and 300 MPa and at pH values ranging from 4.0 to 6.5 were determined. Pressure treatment at 200 MPa for up to 20 min did not reduce the viability of either strain at pH 6.5. Pressure treatment at pH 6.5 and 300 MPa reduced viable cell counts of Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum by 5 log after 20 and 120 min, respectively. Pressure inactivation was faster at pH 5 or 4. At ambient pressure, both strains maintained a transmembrane pH gradient of 1 pH unit at neutral pH and about 2 pH units at pH 4.0. During pressure treatment at 200 and 300 MPa, the internal pH of L. lactis was decreased to the value of the extracellular pH during compression. The same result was observed during treatment of Lactobacillus plantarum at 300 MPa. Lactobacillus plantarum was unable to restore the internal pH after a compression-decompression cycle at 300 MPa and pH 6.5. Lactococcus lactis lost the ability to restore its internal pH after 20 and 4 min of pressure treatment at 200 and 300 MPa, respectively. As a consequence, pressure-mediated stress reactions and cell death may be considered secondary effects promoted by pH and other environmental conditions.     

Effects of pressure-induced membrane phase transitions on inactivation of HorA, an ATP-dependent multidrug resistance transporter, in Lactobacillus plantarum

The effects of pressure on cultures of Lactobacillus plantarum were characterized by determination of the viability and activity of HorA, an ATP-binding cassette multidrug resistance transporter. Changes in the membrane composition of L. plantarum induced by different growth temperatures were determined. Furthermore, the effect of the growth temperature of a culture on pressure inactivation at 200 MPa was determined. Cells were characterized by plate counts on selective and nonselective agar after pressure treatment, and HorA activity was measured by ethidium bromide efflux. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and Laurdan fluorescence spectroscopy provided information about the thermodynamic phase state of the cytoplasmic membrane during pressure treatment. A pressure-temperature diagram for cell membranes was established. Cells grown at 37 degrees C and pressure treated at 15 degrees C lost >99% of HorA activity and viable cell counts within 36 and 120 min, respectively. The membranes of these cells were in the gel phase region at ambient pressure. In contrast, cells grown at 15 degrees C and pressure treated at 37 degrees C lost >99% of HorA activity and viable cell counts within 4 and 8 min, respectively. The membranes of these cells were in the liquid crystalline phase region at ambient pressure. The kinetic analysis of inactivation of L. plantarum provided further evidence that inactivation of HorA is a crucial step during pressure-induced cell death. Comparison of the biological findings and the membrane state during pressure treatment led to the conclusion that the inactivation of cells and membrane enzymes strongly depends on the thermodynamic properties of the membrane. Pressure treatment of cells with a liquid crystalline membrane at 0.1 MPa resulted in HorA inactivation and cell death more rapid than those of cells with a gel phase membrane at 0.1 MPa.     

Effects of Pressure-Induced Membrane Phase Transitions on Inactivation of HorA, an ATP-Dependent Multidrug Resistance Transporter, in Lactobacillus plantarum

The effects of pressure on cultures of Lactobacillus plantarum were characterized by determination of the viability and activity of HorA, an ATP-binding cassette multidrug resistance transporter. Changes in the membrane composition of L. plantarum induced by different growth temperatures were determined. Furthermore, the effect of the growth temperature of a culture on pressure inactivation at 200 MPa was determined. Cells were characterized by plate counts on selective and nonselective agar after pressure treatment, and HorA activity was measured by ethidium bromide efflux. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and Laurdan fluorescence spectroscopy provided information about the thermodynamic phase state of the cytoplasmic membrane during pressure treatment. A pressure-temperature diagram for cell membranes was established. Cells grown at 37°C and pressure treated at 15°C lost >99% of HorA activity and viable cell counts within 36 and 120 min, respectively. The membranes of these cells were in the gel phase region at ambient pressure. In contrast, cells grown at 15°C and pressure treated at 37°C lost >99% of HorA activity and viable cell counts within 4 and 8 min, respectively. The membranes of these cells were in the liquid crystalline phase region at ambient pressure. The kinetic analysis of inactivation of L. plantarum provided further evidence that inactivation of HorA is a crucial step during pressure-induced cell death. Comparison of the biological findings and the membrane state during pressure treatment led to the conclusion that the inactivation of cells and membrane enzymes strongly depends on the thermodynamic properties of the membrane. Pressure treatment of cells with a liquid crystalline membrane at 0.1 MPa resulted in HorA inactivation and cell death more rapid than those of cells with a gel phase membrane at 0.1 MPa.     

Response of Pathogenic Vibrio Species to High Hydrostatic Pressure

Vibrio parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802, Vibrio vulnificus ATCC 27562, Vibrio cholerae O:1 ATCC 14035, Vibrio cholerae non-O:1 ATCC 14547, Vibrio hollisae ATCC 33564, and Vibrio mimicus ATCC 33653 were treated with 200 to 300 MPa for 5 to 15 min at 25°C. High hydrostatic pressure inactivated all strains of pathogenic Vibrio without triggering a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state; however, cells already existing in a VBNC state appeared to possess greater pressure resistance.     

Damage in Escherichia coli cells treated with a combination of high hydrostatic pressure and subzero temperature

The relationship between membrane permeability, changes in ultrastructure, and inactivation in Escherichia coli strain K-12TG1 cells subjected to high hydrostatic pressure treatment at room and subzero temperatures was studied. Propidium iodide staining performed before and after pressure treatment made it possible to distinguish between reversible and irreversible pressure-mediated cell membrane permeabilization. Changes in cell ultrastructure were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which showed noticeable condensation of nucleoids and aggregation of cytosolic proteins in cells fixed after decompression. A novel technique used to mix fixation reagents with the cell suspension in situ under high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and subzero-temperature conditions made it possible to show the partial reversibility of pressure-induced nucleoid condensation. However, based on visual examination of TEM micrographs, protein aggregation did not seem to be reversible. Reversible cell membrane permeabilization was noticeable, particularly for HHP treatments at subzero temperature. A correlation between membrane permeabilization and cell inactivation was established, suggesting different mechanisms at room and subzero temperatures. We propose that the inactivation of E. coli cells under combined HHP and subzero temperature occurs mainly during their transiently permeabilized state, whereas HHP inactivation at room temperature is related to a balance of transient and permanent permeabilization. The correlation between TEM results and cell inactivation was not absolute. Further work is required to elucidate the effects of pressure-induced damage on nucleoids and proteins during cell inactivation.     

Morphological and physiological characterization of Listeria monocytogenes subjected to high hydrostatic pressure

High hydrostatic pressure is a new food preservation technology known for its capacity to inactivate spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. That inactivation is usually assessed by the number of colonies growing on solid media after treatment. Under normal conditions the method does not permit recovery of damaged cells and may underestimate the number of cells that will remain viable and grow after a few days in high-pressure-processed foodstuffs. This study investigated the damage inflicted on Listeria monocytogenes cells treated by high pressure for 10 min at 400 MPa in pH 5.6 citrate buffer. Under these conditions, no cell growth occurred after 48 h on plate count agar. Scanning electron microscopy, light scattering by flow cytometry, and cell volume measurements were compared to evaluate the morphological changes in cells after pressurization. All these methods revealed that cellular morphology was not really affected. Esterase activity, as assessed either by enzymatic activity assays or by carboxy fluorescein diacetate fluorescence monitored by flow cytometry, was dramatically lowered, but not totally obliterated, under the effects of treatment. The measurement of propidium iodide uptake followed by flow cytometry demonstrated that membrane integrity was preserved in a small part of the population, although the membrane potential measured by analytical methods or evaluated by oxonol uptake was reduced from -86 to -5 mV. These results showed that such combined methods as fluorescent dyes monitored by flow cytometry and physiological activity measurements provide valuable indications of cellular viability.     

Ultrastructural effects of pressure stress to the nucleus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a study by immunoelectron microscopy using frozen thin sections

Abstract The effects of hydrostatic pressure on subcellular structures, particularly the nucleus, of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated by immunoelectron microscopy. Cells were treated with hydrostatic pressure from 0.1 to 400 MPa for 10 min at room temperature. Frozen thin sections of the cells revealed that spindle pole bodies disappeared at 100 MPa. At 150 MPa, the deposition of gold panicles for anti α-tubulin was noticed in the nucleus, although the filamentous structure of microtubules was lost. At 200 MPa, fewer gold particles were scattered in the nucleus and the nuclear membrane in several portions was also observed to be open at 300 MPa. These results show that elements of the nuclear division apparatus were susceptible to pressure stress, particularly spindle pole bodies and microtubules. The damage to spindle pole bodies, microtubules, and nuclear membrane caused by pressure stress was followed by the inhibition of nuclear division. After the release of pressure, the spindle pole bodies and microtubules of pressurized cells at below 200 MPa regained their normal appearance at 24 h.