Membrane-associated components of the bacterial flagellar apparatus

Abstract

At the position of insertion of the flagellum into the Gram-negative bacterial cell envelope, a specialized membrane differentiation has been observed by electron microscopy. This structure, termed concentric membrane rings, is harboured on the under-side of the outer membrane of Spirillum serpens, and forms a plate-like array of up to seven rings (diameter 90 nm) and an interior supporting collar. The concentric membrane rings are sensitive to proteolytic digestion, but are lysozyme and phospholipase resistant. The structures are disrupted by ionic detergents, yet resistant to the action of non-ionic detergents. A model integrating the basal organelle of the bacterial flagellum and the outer membrane of the cell wall is presented.