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. 1979 Jan;37(1):159–168. doi: 10.1128/aem.37.1.159-168.1979

Patterns of cell division, DNA base compositions, and fine structures of some radiation-resistant vegetative bacteria found in food.

S W Sanders, R B Maxcy
PMCID: PMC243416  PMID: 760633

Abstract

Representative highly radiation-resistant Moraxella-Acinetobacter (M-A), Pseudomonas radiora, Micrococcus radiodurans, and Micrococcus radiophilus exhibited a wide variety of division systems and cell wall characteristics. However, the most resistant M-A possessed unusually thick cell walls, indicating a possible role of the cell wall in radiation resistance in the M-A. Thick septation was present in most of the bacteria studied, but was absent in P. radiora, thus excluding this as a necessity for high resistance. Reliable determination of the number of division planes of the M-A for use as a taxonomic criterion was achieved by the direct observation of dividing cells. The highly resistant M-A were found to divide in multiple planes and had base compositions of 54.0 to 57.5%, unlike typical Moraxella and/or Acinetobacter species. The taxonomic position of most highly resistant bacteria remains unclear.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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