Figure 7
From: Disruption of Autolysis in Bacillus subtilis using TiO2 Nanoparticles
Proposed mechanisms through which TiO2 NPs influence autolysis in B. subtilis. (a) TiO2 NPs associate with the region of cell wall teichoic acids that make up the point of contact between the cell and NPs, altering autolysin activity and maintaining the PMF under nutrient limited conditions. (b) Once a cell has undergone autolysis, the released autolysins are adsorbed by TiO2 NPs which diminishes the peptidoglycan-degrading functionality, limiting enzymatic attack of peptidoglycan of other population members.
