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PMID: 5344110 Published · ppublish English Journal Article

Relationship between cell wall, cytoplasmic membrane, and bacterial motility.

Journal of bacteriology ·Vol. 100 ·No. 1 ·1969-10-00 ·Pages 512-21

Vaituzis Z, Doetsch RN

Abstract

High-resolution electron microscopy of polarly flagellated bacteria revealed that their flagella originate at a circular, differentiated portion of the cytoplasmic membrane approximately 25 nm in diameter. The flagella also have discs attaching them to the cell wall. These attachment discs are extremely resistant to lytic damage and are firmly bound to the flagella. The cytoplasm beneath the flagellum contains a granulated basal body about 60 nm in diameter, and a specialized polar membrane. The existence of membrane-bound basal bodies is shown to be an artifact arising from adherence of cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane fragments to flagella in lysed preparations. Based on structures observed, a mechanism to explain bacterial flagellar movement is proposed. Flagella are considered to be anchored to the cell wall and activated by displacement of underlying cytoplasmic membrane to which they are also firmly attached. An explanation for the membrane displacement is given.

MeSH Terms
Bacteria/cytology Bacterial Physiological Phenomena Cell Membrane Cell Wall Cytoplasm Flagella Microscopy, Electron Movement
Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Vaituzis Z
Doetsch R N
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24 references, click to expand
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Article Info
Journal
Journal of bacteriology
Abbr.
J Bacteriol
ISSN
0021-9193
DOI
10.1128/jb.100.1.512-521.1969
Published
1969-10-00
Pages
512-21
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
2985120R
PMCID
PMC315421
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1128/jb.100.1.512-521.1969 PMC Full Text View journal details
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