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A Proposed Life Cycle Model of Spiroplasma mirum Based on Scanning Electron Microscopical Observations of Growth in Liquid Culture
Author(s) -
Itoh Kikuji,
Pan InJen,
Koshimizu Kaoru
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
microbiology and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1348-0421
pISSN - 0385-5600
DOI - 10.1111/j.1348-0421.1989.tb00968.x
Subject(s) - protein filament , spiroplasma , scanning electron microscope , biology , electron microscope , liquid culture , morphology (biology) , biophysics , optics , zoology , physics , bacteria , botany , biochemistry , paleontology , mollicutes
Cells of Spiroplasma mirum strain SMCA were grown in PPG broth and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Comparison of the results at different time intervals allowed for a model of the life cycle of S. mirum to be proposed. Under favorable growth conditions, helical filament formation was initially observed, followed by the formation of small spherical structures originating from each filament. In old culture, large spherical bodies appeared from entangled helical filaments. From the larger spherical bodies, granular bodies representing the smallest reproductive units were produced to continue the life cycle.