Local Nanomechanical Motion of the Cell Wall of <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>

TLDR

The periodic motions in the range of 0.8 to 1.6 kHz with amplitudes of ~3 nm were measured using the cantilever of an atomic force microscope (AFM). The yeast cell wall shows temperature‑dependent nanomechanical oscillations at 0.8–1.6 kHz with ~3 nm amplitude, which cease upon metabolic inhibition, have an activation energy of 58 kJ/mol indicative of motor‑protein activity, and involve ~10 nN forces implying concerted nanomechanical action.

Abstract

We demonstrate that the cell wall of living Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) exhibits local temperature-dependent nanomechanical motion at characteristic frequencies. The periodic motions in the range of 0.8 to 1.6 kHz with amplitudes of ∼3 nm were measured using the cantilever of an atomic force microscope (AFM). Exposure of the cells to a metabolic inhibitor causes the periodic motion to cease. From the strong frequency dependence on temperature, we derive an activation energy of 58 kJ/mol, which is consistent with the cell's metabolism involving molecular motors such as kinesin, dynein, and myosin. The magnitude of the forces observed (∼10 nN) suggests concerted nanomechanical activity is operative in the cell.