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Electron Microscopic Observations on the Structure of Treponema zuelzerae and Its Axial Filaments

Department of Bacteriology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024

ABSTRACT

The fine structure of the spirochete Treponema zuelzerae, and particularly of its axial filaments, was investigated by using the electron microscope. The cell consists of a protoplasmic core surrounded by two concentric envelopes, each approximately 12 nm in width. Between these envelopes are two axial filaments, one originating at each pole of the cell, which overlap and lie side by side in the central region of the cell. The diameter of the axial filaments is 18.0 to 18.5 nm. The terminal region of each filament at its proximal end consists of a hook-like structure, very similar in appearance to the proximal end of a bacterial flagellum. The outer envelope of the cell is readily disrupted with distilled water, and this treatment often results in the release of the filaments from their axial position. A sheath is seen surrounding the filaments when cells are treated with distilled water for no more than 1 min and fixed immediately with osmium tetroxide or glutaraldehyde. This sheath has a striated fine structure and a diameter of 46 nm.