Immobilization of Polyethyleneimine (PEI) on Flat Surfaces and Nanoparticles Affects Its Ability to Disrupt Bacterial Membranes.

ABSTRACT: Interactions between a widely used polycationic polymer, polyethyleneimine (PEI), and a Gram-negative bacteria, E. coli, are investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) quantitative imaging. The effect of PEI, a known membrane permeabilizer, is characterized by probing both the structure and elasticity of the bacterial cell envelope. At low concentrations, PEI induced nanoscale membrane perturbations all over the bacterial surface. Despite these structural changes, no change in cellular mechanics (Young's modulus) was detected and the growth of E. coli is barely affected. However, at high PEI concentrations, dramatic changes in both structure and cell mechanics are observed. When immobilized on a flat surface, the ability of PEI to alter the membrane structure and reduce bacterial ela

SUBMITTER: Andoy NMO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8540495 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature