Characteristic cytoplasmic structures in microorganisms utilizing n-butane and 1-butanol

Abstract

Intracellular structures were observed in two Arthrobacter spp. and in Candida utilis in media containing n-butane or 1-butanol as the sole source of carbon; these structures were absent in the same organisms grown in the presence of glucose. These substrate-specific structures consisted of electron-dense bodies nearly surrounded by a round electron-transparent area, and connected to the main cytoplasm by a bridge. These structures may represent sites of hydrocarbon or alcohol oxidation, and the name "oxisome" is proposed for them. The microorganisms contained about 8 times as much iron when growing on n-butane as when growing on glucose, and about 3 to 4.5 times as much when growing on 1-butanol. When one of the Arthrobacter sp. was grown on n-butane in the absence of iron, more diffuse and less structured concentrations of electron-dense particles appeared. Extraction of n-butane-grown cells suggests that the electron transport system is different from other known electron carriers.

Trimethyl lead degradation by free and immobilized cells of an Arthrobacter sp. and by the wood decay fungus Phaeolus schweinitzii

“…Membrane inclusions have been observed at the periphery of hydrocarbongrown Arthrobacter spp. (Kormendy and Wayman 1974;Kennedy et al 1975;Scott & Finnerty 1976a, b) and it would be interesting to determine the role, if any, contributed by such membrane inclusions in alkyl lead degradation. Against this, however, is that in no case was cell-associated lead observed, suggesting a non Pbsequestrative mechanism.…”

A Comparative Analysis of the Ultrastructure of Hydrocarbon-oxidizing Micro-organisms

“…Two species of Arthrobacter and the yeast Candida u t i h have been characterized by the presence of 'oxisomes' after growth in media containing butane or butanol as the sole carbon and energy source (Kormandy & Wayman, 1974). These electronopaque structures were surrounded by an electron-transparent area and were considered to represent sites of hydrocarbon oxidation.…”

Oxidation of ethane by an Acremonium species

“…Few reports have appeared of fungi utilizing gaseous alkanes. For example, growth of Penicillium and Cephalosporium isolates on methane has been reported (1,20), and species of Acremonium, Allescheria, Candida, Fusarium, Graphium, Penicillium, and Phialophora have been shown to utilize C., to C4 n-alkanes (2,4,9,14,19). However, fundamental knowledge of fungal metabolism of these gaseous homologues is scant.…”