Abstract

MORPHOSTRUCTURAL CHANGES INDUCED IN E. COLI EXPOSED TO COPPER IONS IN WATER AT INCREASING CONCENTRATIONS

Priyanka Kambli, Ashutosh Valavade, D. C. Kothari, Varsha Kelkar-Mane

Abstract

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has been used to elucidate the morphostructural changes occurring as a result of copper internalization in E. coli. The study documents a gradual aqueous leaching and built-up of copper ions within the cell using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). It further correlates the same to the morphometric changes studied using AFM and the cell viability studied using confocal microscopy. The cell perturbations take place within one hour of exposure to copper ions in water. Cell elongation takes place with the increase in exposure time and therefore copper ion concentration. Partially perturbed structure of the cell and accumulation of the cytosolic contents towards the apical ends of the cell reveal the inside-out mode of cell damage caused by copper ions.

Keywords: E. coli, copper, Atomic Force Microscopy, Confocal Microscopy, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Morphostructure.