In five strains of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, a protein with a molecular mass o f about 40 kDa was detected by immunoblotting with anti-pig brain tubulin polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. In eight other mycoplasma species similarly tested no reaction was observed. T h i n serial sections of M. gallisepticum and Acholeplasma laidlawii cells examined b y transmission electron microscopy revealed a submembrane system of tubules in M. gallisepticum but not in A. laidlawii. The intracellular spatial distribution of the tubular structures was reconstructed. T h i n sections of M. gallisepticum treated with anti-tubulin antibodies and colloidal gold particles (immunogold labelling) revealed distinct labelling of the tubular system. Analysis of the tubular structures b y high resolution electron microscopy and optical diffraction showed their helical organization to be: diameter 40 nm, helix pitch approximately 20 nm and electron-transparent core 10 nm in diameter. A possible involvement of the tubular system in mycoplasma motility is suggested.
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