Electron microscopy of Bacillus megaterium undergoing isolation of its nuclear bodies

Abstract

Fitz-James, Philip (University of Western Ontario, London, Canada). Electron microscopy of Bacillus megaterium undergoing isolation of its nucelar bodies. J. Bacteriol. 87:1202-1210. 1964.-The various steps of treatment leading to the isolation of nuclear bodies were followed by thin-section electron microscopy. Nuclear rearrangement (condensation then dispersion) accompanied the treatment of washed rejuvenated cells with sucrose stabilizing buffer. Liberation of protoplasts with lysozyme did not greatly alter nuclear form. Strongly cationic buffers used for subsequent lipase digestion again caused a marked aggregation of the nucleoids. The isolated nuclear bodies were found as masses of uranyl- and lead-stainable fibers in various degrees of aggregation, possibly damaged by the isolation procedures.