ISSN:
1432-072X
Keywords:
Carboxysomes
;
Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase
;
Pentagonal dodecahedron
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The outer part of the carboxysomes of Thiobacillus neapolitanus was examined by electron microscopy using negatively stained, cryo-treated, frozen hydrated and freeze dried specimens. From stereo-micrographs of freeze dried and fixated carboxysomes the three dimensional structure of the carboxysomes was elucidated. The carboxysomes always appear as hexagonal bodies, which possess twelve pentameric planes. This indicates that carboxysomes have the form of a pentagonal dodecahedron. Inside the carboxysomes the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase molecules are arranged in rows and concentric rings. Negatively stained and cryo-treated carboxysomes do not differ significantly in size. The mean size of these carboxysomes is 117.3±6.9 nm (n=782)
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00410959
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