Intracellular, periodic structures in the gliding bacterium Myxococcus xanthus

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Abstract
EM observations of thin sections of M. xanthus vegetative cells revealed the presence of cytoplasmic bundles of 4 to 5 nm-diameter filaments, running longitudinally below the cell membrane and terminating in association with the envelope near 1 pole. Part of each bundle demonstrated a herringbone-like periodicity (.apprx. 12 nm spacing). This structure was observed in cells from shake cultures and in gliding cells fixed by several methods. The structure may be attached to the envelope near both poles in gliding cells and the motive force for motility may be provided by its contraction and relaxation. In 1 of 4 nongliding mutants examined, the periodicity was indistinct or lacking. In this mutant another structure, comprised of linearly arrayed beads, was observed in association with the filamentous bundle. Another structure, characterized by major, transverse bands (.apprx. 34 nm apart), occurred in patches that may traverse the diameter of the wild-type cells in which the structure was observed.