Fine structure of Myxococcus xanthus during morphogenesis.

Voelz, Herbert (Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis) and Martin Dworkin. Fine structure of Myxococcus xanthus during morphogenesis. J. Bacteriol. 84:943-952. 1962.-This investigation concerns the nature of the structural changes in Myxococcus xanthus during cellular morphogenesis. These changes have been investigated by means of electromicrographs of thin sections of cells taken during various stages of the life cycle. The conversion of vegetative cells to microcysts involves the formation of a capsule but no drastic reorganization of the limiting cell membranes. Vacuoles appear in the cell during microcyst formation and germination. Microcyst germination involves a separation of the inner cell and the outer sheath, followed by the dissolution of a segment of the outer sheath and the emergence of the cell. Dense bodies within the cytoplasm and peripheral bodies between the two limiting membranes have been observed.