Fine structure and radiation resistance in Acinetobacter: studies on a resistant strain.

An electron-microscope study of thin sections and negatively stained preparations of intact cells and isolated cell walls of a bacterium which is moderately resistant to ionizing radiation, Acinetobacter strain 199 A, showed that it is similar to other Gram-negative bacteria except for its mode of division and for the fine structure of some of the surface layers. During division the cells form a fairly thick septum similar to those observed in Gram-positive bacteria. An examination of the appearance and chemical composition of isolated cell walls before and after treatment with enzymes, detergents and lipid solvents revealed that three layers, each with a characteristic fine structure, are present in the cell wall: (1) an outer membrane with an array of peg-like subunits; (2) a layer of wrinkled material which is digested by proteolytic enzymes; and (3) a smooth, rigid layer, which contains the mucopeptide components of the cell wall. These observations are compared with the results of other workers for various Gram-negative bacteria. From comparisons with the structure of more radiation-sensitive strains of Acinetobacter, it appears that layer (2) may be associated with the radiation resistance of the organism.