Structure of the Chromatium sulfur particle and its protein membrane

J Bacteriol. 1971 Mar;105(3):1142-8. doi: 10.1128/jb.105.3.1142-1148.1971.

Abstract

Sulfur particles extracted from Chromatium vinosum strain D were found to be bounded by a unique proteinaceous membrane. Ultrastructural examination of the membrane in Epon sections and bovine serum albumin sections and examination of negatively stained, sulfur-free membrane ghosts revealed a monomolecular sheet composed of 2.5-nm globular components. The internal sulfur was found to bind large amounts of a variety of negative stains and to form myelin-like structures upon rupture of the surrounding membrane.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Chromatophores
  • Bacterial Proteins*
  • Chromatium / cytology*
  • Chromatium / growth & development
  • Cytoplasmic Granules*
  • Inclusion Bodies
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Sulfur*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine
  • Sulfur