Molecular Mapping of Lipoarabinomannans on Mycobacteria

Although the chemical composition of mycobacterial cell walls is well known, the 3D organization of the various constituents is not fully understood. In particular, it is unclear whether the major wall component lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is exposed on the outermost surface or hindered by other constit...

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Published inLangmuir Vol. 25; no. 8; pp. 4324 - 4327
Main Authors Verbelen, Claire, Christiaens, Nicolas, Alsteens, David, Dupres, Vincent, Baulard, Alain R, Dufrêne, Yves F
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington, DC American Chemical Society 21.04.2009
Subjects
Animals
Antibodies, Monoclonal - chemistry
Biophysics - methods
Cell Wall - metabolism
Chemistry
Colloidal state and disperse state
Exact sciences and technology
General and physical chemistry
Isoniazid - pharmacology
Kinetics
Life Sciences
Lipopolysaccharides - chemistry
Mice
Microscopy, Atomic Force
Mycobacterium bovis
Mycobacterium bovis - metabolism
Mycolic Acids - chemistry
Stress, Mechanical
Surface physical chemistry
Surface Properties
Time Factors
Drug
Atomic force microscopy
Organization
Acids
Antibody
Distribution
Chemical composition
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Summary:Although the chemical composition of mycobacterial cell walls is well known, the 3D organization of the various constituents is not fully understood. In particular, it is unclear whether the major wall component lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is exposed on the outermost surface or hindered by other constituents such as mycolic acids. To address this pertinent question, we used atomic force microscopy (AFM) with tips bearing anti-LAM antibodies to detect single LAM molecules on Mycobacterium bovis BCG cells. First, we showed the ability of anti-LAM tips to detect isolated, purified LAM molecules. We then mapped the distribution of LAM on mycobacteria, prior to and after treatment with the drug isoniazid. We found that LAM was not exposed on the surface of native cells, pointing to the presence of a homogeneous layer of mycolic acids, whereas it was greatly exposed on isoniazid-treated cells, in agreement with the action mode of the drug. This single-molecule study provides novel insight into the architecture of mycobacterial cell walls and offers promising perspectives for understanding the action modes of antimycobacterial drugs.
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ISSN:0743-7463
1520-5827
DOI:10.1021/la900302a