Fraction of periplasm out of total cell volume estimated by electron microscopy

Range 8-16 %
Organism Bacteria Escherichia coli
Reference Donald B Oliver, Periplasm, chapter 8, Neidhardt F.C. Escherichia coli and Salmonella: Cellular and Molecular Biology. Vol 1, ASM Press 1996. p.4 top paragraph
Primary Source Graham LL, Beveridge TJ, Nanninga N. Periplasmic space and the concept of the periplasm. Trends Biochem Sci. 1991 Sep16(9):328-9.PubMed ID1949152
Method Estimated from periplasm width obtained by cryo-electron microscopy. See comments section for details.
Comments P.3 bottom paragraph: "Measurements of periplasmic width on cells with full periplasmic compartments range from 13 to 25 nm (refs 48, 79 see BNID 100016). Stock et al. (ref 171) used physiological techniques to perform a classic study of the periplasmic volumes of E. coli and S. typhimurium. The distribution of radioactive compounds capable of penetrating both inner and outer membranes (water), the outer membrane only (sucrose), or neither membrane (inulin) was measured, and the cytoplasmic, periplasmic, and total cellular volumes were determined. These results place the periplasmic volume at 20 to 40% of the cell volume in normal growth media [BNID 104052]. As pointed out by van Wielink and Duine (ref 184), estimates of periplasmic width and volume are somewhat at odds. A 20% volume would lead to a 32-nm width, which is greater than has ever been observed by electron microscopy. Electron microscopic estimates are more consistent with periplasmic volumes in the range of 8 to 16% (primary source)." Note- value of 5%-20% given in the 'Bacterial cell wall' 1994, Ghuysen and Hackenbeck, eds. p. 418 (citing Nikaido PMID 2580220 and Stock PMID 334768). For periplasmic volume of 30% see PMID 824274 p.334 left column top paragraph
Entered by Ron Milo, Paul Jorgensen, Mike Springer
ID 100010