Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Growth morphology ofMycoplasma mobile 163K on solid surfaces: Reproduction, aggregation, and microcolony formation

  • Published:
Current Microbiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The morphology ofMycoplasma mobile 163K grown on glass coverslips and Pioloform-coated copper grids in liquid medium was studied by dark-field, interference-contrast, scanning, and negative-contrast electron microscopy. The growth morphology was observed over a period of 5 days. Within this time, three distinct stages could be distinguished: (a) single cells; (b) reproduction, aggregation, and microcolony formation; and (c) degeneration. The single cells were typically flask-shaped. Different modes of reproduction were observed: symmetrical binary division by transverse fission, budding-like processes, and fragmentation. Symmetrical binary division occurred mainly in the first half stage of reproduction, leading to the formation of rosette-like microcolonies, whereas budding and fragmentation took place only in the second half. During degeneration, the flask-shaped cells converted into rounded forms and lost their viability.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  1. Albers AC, Fletcher RD (1982) Simple method for quantitation of viable mycoplasms. Appl Environ Microbiol 43:958–960

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bernstein-Ziv R (1969) Cell division inMycoplasma gallisepticum. Can J Microbiol 15:1125–1128

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Biberfeld G, Biberfeld P (1970) Ultrastructural features ofMycoplasma pneumoniae. J Bacteriol 102:855–861

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Bredt W (1968) Motility and multiplication ofMycoplasma pneumoniae. A phase contrast study. Pathol Microbiol 32:321–326

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bredt W (1968) Growth morphology ofMycoplasma pneumoniae strain FH on glass surface. Proc Soc Exp Med 128:338–340

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bredt W (1973) Motility of mycoplasms. Ann NY Acad Sci 225:246–250

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bredt W, Bierther MFW (1974) Licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen anMycoplasma pneumoniae. Zentralbl Bakteriol Orig A 229:249–255

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bredt W, Radestock U (1977) Gliding motility ofMycoplasma pulmonis. J Bacteriol 130:937–938

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Burchard RP (1974) Studies on gliding motility inMyxococcus xanthus. Arch Mikrobiol 99:271–280

    Google Scholar 

  10. Fischer M, Kirchhoff H, Rosengarten R, Kerten G, Seack K-H (1987) Gliding movement ofMycoplasma sp. nov. strain 163K on erythrocytes. FEMS Microbiol Lett 40:321–324

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gallagher JE, Rhoades KR (1979) Simplified preparation of mycoplasmas, an acholeplasma, and a spiroplasma for scanning electron microscopy. J Bacteriol 137:972–976

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Kim CK, Pfister RM, Somerson NL (1977) Electron microscopy ofMycoplasma pneumoniae microcolonies grown on solid surfaces. Appl Environ Microbiol 34:591–594

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Kirchhoff H, Rosengarten R (1984) Isolation of a motile mycoplasma from fish, J Gen Microbiol 130:2439–2445

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kirchhoff H, Rosengarten R, Chercheletzi C (1983) Isolation of mycoplasmas from a tench (Tinca tinca L.). Yale J Biol Med 56:841–842

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kirchhoff H, Rosengarten R, Lotz W, Fischer M, Lopatta D (1984) Flask-shaped mycoplasmas: properties and pathogenicity for man and animals. Isr J Med Sci 20:848–853

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Kirchhoff H, Beyene P, Fischer M, Flossdorf J, Heitmann J, Khattab B, Lopatta D, Rosengarten R, Seidel G, Yousef C (1987)Mycoplasma mobile sp. nov., a new species from fish. Int J Syst Bacteriol 37:192–197

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kirchhoff H, Boldt U, Rosengarten R, Klein-Struckmeier A (1987) Chemotactic response of a gliding mycoplasma. Curr Microbiol 15:57–60

    Google Scholar 

  18. Moore RL, Marshall KC (1981) Attachment and rosette formation by hyphomicrobia. Appl Environ Microbiol 42:751–757

    Google Scholar 

  19. Piper B, Rosengarten R, Kirchhoff H (1987) The influence of various substances on the gliding motility ofMycoplasma mobile 163K. J Gen Microbiol 133:3193–3198

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Reichenbach H (1965) Swarm development and morphogenesis in myxobacteria—Archangium, Myxococcus, Chondrococcus, Chondromyces. Göttingen, FRG: Film C 893, Institute for the Scientific Film

    Google Scholar 

  21. Reichenbach H (1965) Untersuchungen anArchangium violaceum. Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Myxobakterien. Arch Mikrobiol 52:376–403

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Rosengarten R, Kirchhoff H (1987) Gliding motility ofMycoplasma sp. nov. strain 163K. J Bacteriol 169:1891–1898

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Rosengarten R, Fischer M, Kirchhoff H, Kerlen G, Seack K-H (1988) Transport of erythrocytes by gliding cells ofMycoplasma mobile 163K. Curr Microbiol 16:253–257

    Google Scholar 

  24. Rosengarten R, Kirchhoff H, Kerlen G, Seack K-H (1988) The surface layer ofMycolasma mobile 163K and its possible relevance to cell cohesion and group motility. J Gen Microbiol 134:275–281

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Rosengarten R, Kirchhoff H, Kerlen G, Seack K-H (1988)Mycoplasma mobile—morphology, multiplication and gliding motility. Göttingen, FRG: Film C 1670, Institute for the Scientific Film

    Google Scholar 

  26. Rosengarten R, Klein-Struckmeier A, Kirchhoff H (1988) Rheotactic behavior of a gliding mycoplasma. J Bacteriol 170:989–990

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Microbiology and Animal Epidemiology, Veterinary School of Hannover, Hannover, FRG

    Renate Rosengarten &  Helga Kirchhoff

Authors
  1. Renate Rosengarten
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Helga Kirchhoff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rosengarten, R., Kirchhoff, H. Growth morphology ofMycoplasma mobile 163K on solid surfaces: Reproduction, aggregation, and microcolony formation. Current Microbiology 18, 15–22 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01568824

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01568824

Keywords

Search

Navigation