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. 1974 May;118(2):717–724. doi: 10.1128/jb.118.2.717-724.1974

Mesosome Structure in Chromobacterium violaceum

T E Rucinsky a, E H Cota-Robles a,1
PMCID: PMC246806  PMID: 4828310

Abstract

Exponentially growing cells of the gram-negative bacterium Chromobacterium violaceum demonstrate invaginations of the cytoplasmic membrane with a high frequency. These invaginations conform to the ultrastructural appearance of mesosomes of gram-positive bacteria. As many as four mesosomes are observed per cell, each of which may increase the total membrane surface of the cell by 30%. Washing of cells in dilute tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer effects a distension of the mesosome “neck” and/or cytoplasmic membrane clarifying the association of the mesosome to the cytoplasmic membrane. Plasmolysis effects an eversion of the mesosome into the plasmolysis vacuole.

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