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. 1986 Sep;167(3):935–939. doi: 10.1128/jb.167.3.935-939.1986

Electron probe analysis, X-ray mapping, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy of calcium, magnesium, and monovalent ions in log-phase and in dividing Escherichia coli B cells.

C F Chang, H Shuman, A P Somlyo
PMCID: PMC215961  PMID: 3528130

Abstract

The elemental composition of individual cells of rapidly frozen and cryosectioned Escherichia coli B was measured with electron optical microanalytic methods. The Ca content was high (26.2 mmol/kg) in a 10-nm-wide region of the cell envelope. Amounts of cytoplasmic Ca in actively dividing cells were significantly higher (32.6 mmol/kg [dry weight]) than in the log-phase (1.5 mmol/kg) cells. Cellular Mg was 205 mmol/kg (dry weight) and it was uniformly distributed throughout the cell. Cells washed in distilled water before freezing lost monovalent ions (Na, Cl, and K), but the membrane-bound Ca and cellular Mg were not reduced, indicating that cellular Mg and membrane Ca are more tightly bound.

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Selected References

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