Local nanomechanical motion of the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 305; no. 5687; pp. 1147 - 1150
• Main Authors: Pelling, A.E, Sehati, S, Gralla, E.B, Valentine, J.S, Gimzewski, J.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Association for the Advancement of Science 20.08.2004; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Amplitude; Atomic force microscopy; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cantilevers; cell biology; Cell culture techniques; Cell membranes; Cell physiology; Cell Wall - physiology; Cell Wall - ultrastructure; cell wall motion; Cell walls; Cells; Cellular biology; Cellular metabolism; Climate; Delta cells; forces; Fourier Analysis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Laboratory Equipment; mechanical properties; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Molecular and cellular biology; Motility and taxis; Motion; Movement; nanomechanical motion; Properties; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - drug effects; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - physiology; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - ultrastructure; Sodium; Sodium Azide - pharmacology; Technology application; Temperature; temporal variation; Yeast; Yeast fungi; Yeasts; Yeasts (Fungi); Fungi; Yeast; Motility; Mechanical properties; Ascomycetes; Molecular motor; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Cell wall; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1097640

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.