title: The ultrastructure of oncolytic spores found on pig skin.
abstract: A new type of clostridium spore, derived from melanotic hamster tumors treated with pig skin extracts, was examined in a lyophylized form by electron microscopy (EM). Scanning EM indicated that two out of five preparations contained only spores. The spores exhibited oval forms (1.5 X 1.0 MU)with elongated, sometimes infolded, poles indicating an overlying membrane. These structures corresponded to the exosporium as seen by transmission EM. The size of the spores, including the cortex (350-550 A), inner membranes, and cytoplasm averaged 5100 X 5900 A. Cytochemical findings suggest that acid mucopolysaccharides and polypeptides containing N-acetyl-neuraminic acid are localized within the exterior and interior layers of the exosporium and at the surface of the outer coat, which could have a tumor inhibiting effect.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003013:Clostridium; D006224:Cricetinae; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008545:Melanoma; D009369:Neoplasms; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D010455:Peptides; D012794:Sialic Acids