This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rucinsky, T. E. Articles by Cota-Robles, E. H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rucinsky, T. E. Articles by Cota-Robles, E. H.

Mesosome Structure in Chromobacterium violaceum

^a Department of Microbiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802

ABSTRACT

Exponentially growing cells of the gram-negative bacterium Chromobacterium violaceum demonstrate invaginations of the cytoplasmic membrane with a high frequency. These invaginations conform to the ultrastructural appearance of mesosomes of gram-positive bacteria. As many as four mesosomes are observed per cell, each of which may increase the total membrane surface of the cell by 30%. Washing of cells in dilute tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer effects a distension of the mesosome "neck" and/or cytoplasmic membrane clarifying the association of the mesosome to the cytoplasmic membrane. Plasmolysis effects an eversion of the mesosome into the plasmolysis vacuole.

¹ Present address: University of California, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064.