Abstract
In 3-day-old cultures of Bacteroides succinogenes grown on filter paper, no cell division was observed. When grown on cellulosic substrate, bacteria exhibited vesicles clustered within cell wall pockets. In 2 day-old filter paper cultures, cells adhered tightly to the substrate. Twenty to 30% of them were dividing. There were cell wall pockets in about 25% of the bacteria, but no vesicles. Whether they adhered to the cellulosic substrate or not, and irrespective of the age of the bacteria, storage polysaccharides were found in the form of dense granules in the cytoplasm. It would appear that vesicles are not essential for cellulose degradation, but are rather a sign of ageing of the cells.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baschong W, Baschong-Prescianotto C, Wurtz M, Carlemalm E, Kellenberger C, Kellenberger E (1984) Preservation of protein structures for electron microscopy by fixation with aldehydes and/or OsO4 Eur J Cell Biol 35:21–26
Bryant MP, Burkey LA (1953) Cultural methods and some characteristics of the more numerous groups of bacteria in the bovine rumen. J Dairy Sci 36:205–217
Forsberg CW, Beveridge TJ, Hellstrom A (1981) Cellulase and xylanase release from Bacteroides succinogenes and its importance in the rumen environment. Appl Environ Microbiol 42:886–896
Gaudet G (1983) Les cellulases extracellulaires de Bacteroides succinogenes. Ann Microbiol 134:111–114
Greenwalt JW, Whiteside TL (1975) Membranous bacterial organelles. Bacteriol Rev 39:405–463
Groleau D, Forsberg CW (1981) Cellulolytic activity of the rumen bacterium Bacteroides succinogenes. Can J Microbiol 27:517–530
Hayat MA (1986) Glutaraldehyde: role in electron microscopy. Micron Microscopica Acta 17:115–135
Stewart CS, Paniaga C, Dinsdale D, Cheng K-J, Garrow SH (1981) Selective isolation and characteristics of Bacteroides succinogenes from the rumen of a cow. Appl Environ Microbiol 41:504–510
Stewart DJ, Egerton JR (1979) Studies on the ultrastructural morphology of Bacteroides nodosus. Res Veter Sci 26:227–235
Thiery JP (1967) Mise en évidence des polysaccharides sur des coupes fines en microscopie électronique. J Microscopie 6:987–1018
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gaudet, G., Gaillard, B. Vesicle formation and cellulose degradation in Bacteroides succinogenes cultures: ultrastructural aspects. Arch. Microbiol. 148, 150–154 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00425364
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00425364