| 15326353 |
Pelling AE, Sehati S, Gralla EB, Valentine JS, Gimzewski JK: Local nanomechanical motion of the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Science. 2004 Aug 20;305(5687):1147-50.
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. |
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