Interconversion of large packets and small groups of cells of Micrococcus rubens: dependence upon magnesium and phosphate.
Micrococcus rubens, a gram-positive occus, usually forms large, cubic packets of more than 500 cells that are regularly arranged in three-dimensional cell groups. In medium with extremely low concentration of Mg2+ and phosphate, in which the cells can only grow on a agar surface, it formed small groups of 2 to 20 cells. Irregularly arraged cell groups of intermediated size were obtained in culture media containing intermediated concentrations of Mg2+ and phosphate. Mutants that formed irregular cell groups of intermediate size under normal culture conditions were also obtained.
D002455:Cell Division; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000032:analysis; D003470:Culture Media; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008837:Micrococcus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D009154:Mutation; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000032:analysis; D010710:Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014574:Uronic Acids / Q000032:analysis
D003470:Culture Media; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D010710:Phosphates; D014574:Uronic Acids; D008274:Magnesium