Skip to main content
Log in

Fine structure of cytoplasmic inclusions of some methylotrophic bacteria from plant surfaces

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Archives of Microbiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Five strains of pink-pigmented, facultatively methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) isolated from plant surfaces and grown in different carbon sources, were fixed, embedded and sectioned for examination with the electron microscope. The strains studied represented the two mainsub-groups, those that can use carbohydrates and those that can not use carbohydrates as a sole carbon and energy source. All of the isolates examined, produced crystalloid inclusions, internal membranous vesicles and internal “membranous sheets” although the number of cells with inclusions, varied with the carbon source and specific strain. Polybetahydroxybutyrate and polyphosphate bodies were observed in all strains, with all carbon sources used for growing cells which includes methanol, formate and glycerol. Isolates that could use glucose accumulated polyglucoside granules but not when other carbon sources were provided. The relationship of these inclusions to growth conditions is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baxter M, Jensen TE (1980) A study of methods for in situ X-ray energy dispersive analysis of polyphosphate bodies in Plectonema boryonum. Arch Microbiol 126:213–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Best DJ, Higgins IJ (1981) Methane oxidizing activity and membrane morphology in a methanol-grown obligate methanoltroph, Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. J Gen Microbiol 125:73–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Corpe WA (1985) A method for detecting methylotrophic bacteria on solid surfaces. J Microbiol Methods 3:215–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Corpe WA, Basile DV (1982) Methanol-utilizing bacteria associated with green plants. Dev Indust Microbiol 23:483–493

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawes EA, Senior PJ (1973) The role and regulation of energy reserve polymers in microorganisms. Adv Microbiol Physiol 10:136–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Green PN, Bousfield IJ (1982) Taxonomic study of some Gramnegative facultatively methylotrophic bacteria. J Gen Microbiol 128:623–638

    Google Scholar 

  • Green PN, Hood D, Dow CS (1984) Taxonomic status of some methylotrophic bacteria. In: Crawford RL, Hanson RS (eds) Microbial growth on C1 compounds. ASM Publisher, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Higgins IJ, Best DJ, Hamid RC, Scott D (1981) Methane oxidizing microorganisms. Microbiol Rev 45:556–583

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen TE (1984) Cyanobacterial cell inclusions of irregular occurence: Systematic and evolutionary implications. Cytobios 39:35–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellenberger E, Ryter A, Sechand J (1958) Electron microscope study of DNA-containing plasma. II. Vegatative and mature phage DNA as compared with normal bacterial nucleotides in different physiological states. J Biophys Biochem Cytology 4:671–678

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim KS, Barksdale L (1969) Crystalline inclusions of bacterium 22M. J Bacteriol 98:1390–1394

    Google Scholar 

  • Kulaev IS, Vagabov VM (1983) Polyphosphate metabolism in microorganisms. Adv Microbiol Physiol 24:83–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuono K, Ozaki A (1975) Distribution and identification of methanol utilizing bacteria. In: Organizing Committee (eds) Microbial growth on C1 compounds. Soc Ferm Tech Japan Publishers, pp 11–21

  • Lalucat J, Meyer O, Pares R, Schlegel HS (1979) R-bodies in newly isolated, free-living H-oxidizing bacteria. Arch Microbiol 121:9–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Luft JH (1961) Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J Biophys Biochem Cytol 9:409–414

    Google Scholar 

  • Norris JR, Proctor HM (1969) Crystalline inclusions in Bacillus thuringiensis. J Bacteriol 98:824–826

    Google Scholar 

  • Pankratz HS, Bowen CC (1963) Cytology of blue-green algae. 1. The cells of Symploca muscorum. Am J Bot 50:387–399

    Google Scholar 

  • Patt TE, Hanson RS (1978) Intracytoplasmic membrane, phospholipid and sterol content of Methylobacterium organophilum cells grown under different conditions. J Bacteriol 134: 636–644

    Google Scholar 

  • Patt TE, Cole GC, Hanson RS (1976) Methylobacterium a new genus of facultatively methylotrophic bacteria. Int J Syst Bacteriol 24:226–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope L, Yolton DP, Rose LJ (1968) Crystalline inclusions of Clostridium coclearium. J Bacteriol 96:1859–1862

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds ES (1963) The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electronopaque stain in electron microscopy. J Cell Biol 17:208–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Santo LY, Doi RH (1973) Crystal formation by a ribonucleic acid polymerase mutant of Bacillus subtilus. J Bacteriol 116:479–482

    Google Scholar 

  • Shively JM (1974) Inclusion bodies of prokaryotes. Ann Rev Microbiol 28:167–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Stempak JB, Ward RT (1964) An improved staining method for electron microscopy. J Cell Biol 22:697–701

    Google Scholar 

  • Vankova J, Kralik O (1966) An electron microscope study of protein crystals in different strains of Bacillus thuringiensis group. Zentralbl Bakteriol, Parasitenkd Infektionskr Hyg

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Corpe, W.A., Jensen, T.E. & Baxter, M. Fine structure of cytoplasmic inclusions of some methylotrophic bacteria from plant surfaces. Arch. Microbiol. 145, 107–112 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00446765

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00446765

Key words

Navigation