Periplasm thickness

Range 11 to 15 nm
Organism Bacteria Escherichia coli
Reference Graham LL, Beveridge TJ, Nanninga N. Periplasmic space and the concept of the periplasm. Trends Biochem Sci. 1991 Sep16(9):328-9. p.328 middle column bottom paragraphPubMed ID1949152
Primary Source Beveridge TJ. Ultrastructure, chemistry, and function of the bacterial wall. Int Rev Cytol. 1981 72: 229-317.PubMed ID6166584
Method cryoelectronmicroscopy. In cryo-electromicroscopy the specimen is cooled to cryogenic (very cool, under 123 Kelvin) temperatures, without fixing or staining it in any way. This is said to prevent the deformations which may be caused in non physiological conditions by other techniques such as in x ray crystallography.
Comments "[Researchers'] experience with conventionally fixed E. coli cells suggests a relatively empty space, c. 11-15 nm in thickness, containing a thin peptidoglycan layer c. 2.5 nm wide (primary source)." Note-In Neidhardt, Escherichia coli and Salmonella 1996, Donald B Oliver, chapter 8, Periplasm, gives values of 13-25 nm. See BNID 105387 for value of 21 nm
Entered by Ron Milo, Paul Jorgensen, Mike Springer
ID 100016