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Ultrastructure of the cyanobacterium,Mastigocladus laminosus

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Abstract

The morphology and ultrastructure of the thermophilic cyanobacteriumMastigocladus laminosus were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Mature cultures consisted of relatively old, wide filaments that branched frequently to form younger, thinner filaments. The cells of the younger filaments had a consistently cylindrical morphology, while those of older filaments were rounded and pleomorphic. The internal ultrastructure of the cells depended somewhat on their age. As young cells became larger and wider, their thylakoids underwent slight rearrangement and spread out toward the center of the cytoplasm. Polyphosphate bodies, carboxysomes (polyhedral bodies), and lipid-body-like structures increased in number as the cells aged, but ribosomes and cyanophycin granules were depleted. Cell division involved septum formation followed by ingrowth of the outer membrane and sheath. Cells in older filaments were separated from each other by a complete layer of sheath material. Septum formation in older cells was also seen to occur parallel to the long axis of the filament, thereby confirming that true branching took place.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, University of New Hempshire, 03824, Durham, New Hampshire, USA

    S. A. Nierzwicki, D. Maratea, D. L. Balkwill & L. P. Hardie

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular and Cell Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, 16802, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA

    V. B. Mehta & S. E. Stevens Jr

Authors
  1. S. A. Nierzwicki
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  2. D. Maratea
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  3. D. L. Balkwill
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  4. L. P. Hardie
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  5. V. B. Mehta
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  6. S. E. Stevens Jr
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Nierzwicki, S.A., Maratea, D., Balkwill, D.L. et al. Ultrastructure of the cyanobacterium,Mastigocladus laminosus . Arch. Microbiol. 133, 11–19 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00943762

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00943762

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