利用原子力显微镜(AFM)观察了不同浓度magainin Ⅱ对E.coli的作用效果。分别用低于MIC和高于MIC浓度的magainin Ⅱ作用E.coliD31结果发现当magainin Ⅱ浓度低于最低抑制浓度MIC时,细菌外膜的粘弹性增大,膜表面产生数量、大小不等的囊泡结构。当magainin Ⅱ高于MIC时,细胞很快破损,胞浆内容物外泄,菌体破裂导致死亡。推测magainin Ⅱ分子可能以“地毯”模式迅速集结于细胞膜上,环绕菌体切断细胞膜。这些结果都说明微生物的细胞膜结构是抗菌肽攻击的首要靶点。
The biological effects of magainin Ⅱ on Escherichia coli were investigated by imaging the cells with atomic force microscopy. Two concentrations of magainin Ⅱ , lower and higher than the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) respectively, were applied to E. coli cells and distinct differences of morphology changes were observed. When treated with magainin Ⅱ at the concentration lower than the MIC, the viscosity of cell outer membrane was gradually increased and many blebs were formed on the cell surface. However, when treated with magainin Ⅱ at the concentration higher than the MIC, the cells were quickly damaged and disintegrated. Cell contents began to leak and eventually cells were totally disrupted. It may be the "carpet" mechanism that magainin Ⅱ quickly aggregated on the membrane like carpet and damaged the membrane. These results indicated bacterial membrane is the main target attacked by antimicrobial peptide.