Structure of the sulfur inclusion envelopes from four beggiatoas

William R. Strohl, The Ohio State University
Ingeborg Geffers, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)
John M. Larkin, Louisiana State University

Abstract

The sulfur inclusions from four strain of Beggiatoa 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 complex Beggiatoa cell walls. Freeze-etching of the B. 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. © 1981 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.