Figure 5 | Scientific Reports

Figure 5

From: The structure of the antimicrobial human cathelicidin LL-37 shows oligomerization and channel formation in the presence of membrane mimics

Figure 5

Cryo-EM images of E. coli in the presence of LL-37 show membrane disruption. (A) Electron micrographs of E. coli treated with LL-37 after 15, 60, 120 and 240 min. The images show the disruption of the E. coli membrane after incubation. In untreated cells (See Fig. S10A) the cell wall shows a distinct pattern of outer membrane, peptidoglycan and inner membrane. While the outer membrane was almost undisturbed after short time exposition, additional discontinuities (see black triangles) appear after longer incubation subsequently leading to the disruption of the inner membrane and the formation of extracellular stress vesicles (see arrows). (B) The effect of LL-37 is concentration dependent. At concentrations beyond or around the MIC (5 µM) the cells maintain their shape and the cell wall is undisturbed while at concentrations clearly above the MIC (25 µM) fragmentation patterns are rapidly visible.

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