Strong increase in the autofluorescence of cells signals struggle for survival.

ABSTRACT: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells exhibit an intrinsic natural fluorescence due to the presence of fluorescent cellular structural components and metabolites. Therefore, cellular autofluorescence (AF) is expected to vary with the metabolic states of cells. We examined how exposure to the different stressors changes the AF of Escherichia coli cells. We observed that bactericidal treatments increased green cellular AF, and that de novo protein synthesis was required for the observed AF increase. Excitation and emission spectra and increased expression of the genes from the flavin biosynthesis pathway, strongly suggested that flavins are major contributors to the increased AF. An increased expression of genes encoding diverse flavoproteins which are involved in energy production and ROS detoxi

SUBMITTER: Surre J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6092379 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature