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Structure of the sulfur inclusion envelopes from four beggiatoas

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Abstract

The sulfur inclusions from four strain ofBeggiatoa alba were observed by using a ruthenium red-glutaraldehyde technique and a modified Ryter-Kellenberger technique. Three of the four strains contained 4-to 5-nm-thick, single, electron-dense, layered sulfur inclusion envelopes. The fourth strain (B15LD) contained a complex pentalaminar sulfur inclusion envelope, 12–14 nm thick. The sulfur inclusions from all four strains were external to the cytoplasmic membrane but internal to the complexBeggiatoa cell walls. Freeze-etching of theB. alba strain B18LD trichomes revealed the unusual cross-fracture morphology of the sulfur in the inclusions. Fractures around the sulfur inclusions revealed a surface similar to that of the fractured cytoplasmic membrane.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, 484 W. 12th Avenue, 43210, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    William R. Strohl

  2. Abteilung Mikrobiologie, Gesellschaft für Biotechnologische Forschung mbH, Mascheroder Weg 1, D-3300, Brauschweig-Stöckheim, Federal Republic of Germany

    Ingeborg Geffers

  3. Department of Microbiology, Louisiana State University, 70803, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

    John M. Larkin

Authors
  1. William R. Strohl
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  2. Ingeborg Geffers
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  3. John M. Larkin
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Strohl, W.R., Geffers, I. & Larkin, J.M. Structure of the sulfur inclusion envelopes from four beggiatoas. Current Microbiology 6, 75–79 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01569007

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