Electron microscopic observations of intracytoplasmic membranous structures in Mycobacterium leprae by means of serial ultrathin sectioning.
The fine structures and interconnections between the cytoplasmic membrane and mesosomes of Mycobacterium leprae in human skin were studied in ultrathin sections. These intracellular membranous organelles were seen as laminated structures and as clusters of vesicles, which were trilaminar consisting of two electron-dense layers separated by an electron-transparent zone. The formation of mesosomes seems to be initiated by invagination and/or folding of the cytoplasmic membrane.
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007918:Leprosy / Q000382:microbiology*; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology