Crystalline order to high resolution in the sheath of Methanospirillum hungatei: a cross-beta structure.

Electron microscopy and electron diffraction indicate that the outer sheath of the cell wall of the archaebacterium Methanospirillum hungatei contains a two-dimensional crystalline lattice having, at least to low resolution, p2 symmetry in projection with a = 5.66 nm, b = 2.81 nm and gamma = 85.6 degrees. At a resolution of 2 nm, the unit cell contains two lobes, whereas high-angle electron diffraction shows the presence of a substantial quantity of beta structure, with the 0.47 nm spacing (between polypeptide chains within a sheet) oriented circumferentially. The sheath is unusual when compared to other regular surface arrays found on bacteria in that it is a compact structure with small subunits. It may have a structural role analogous to barrel hoops since it tends to fragment perpendicular to its axis to give rings or hoops.