Contour and persistence length of Corynebacterium diphtheriae pili by atomic force microscopy

摘要: Many bacteria are characterized by nanoscale ultrastructures, for example S-layers, flagella, fimbriae, or pili. The last two especially important attachment to different abiotic and biotic surfaces host–pathogen interactions. In this study, we investigated the geometric elastic properties of pili Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains atomic force microscopy (AFM). We performed quantitative contour-length analysis bacterial found that visible contour length can be described a log-normal distribution. Our data revealed significant strain-specific variations in mean pili, ranging from 260 1,590 nm. To estimate their full length, which is not directly accessible AFM images, developed simple correction model. Using model, determined as 510–2,060 obtain persistence used methods analysis, one based on end-to-end distance bending angles short segments. comparison, angle proved more precise resulted lengths narrow range 220–280 nm, with no variations. This small compared some other polymers, type IV F-pili, flagella.