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Ultrastructural Studies of Two Model Minimal Cells by Electron Cryotomography

Citation

Henderson, Gregory Philip (2007) Ultrastructural Studies of Two Model Minimal Cells by Electron Cryotomography. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/HK2B-CT58. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05142007-131453

Abstract

While most motile bacteria propel themselves with flagella, other mechanisms have been described including retraction of surface-attached pili, secretion of polysaccharides, or movement of motors along surface protein tracks. These have been referred to collectively as forms of "gliding" motility. Despite being simultaneously one of the smallest and simplest of all known cells, Mycoplasma pneumoniae builds a surprisingly large and complex cell extension known as the attachment organelle that enables it to glide. Here, three-dimensional images of the attachment organelle were produced with unprecedented clarity and authenticity using state-of-the-art electron cryotomography. The attachment organelle was seen to contain a multi-subunit, jointed, dynamic motor much larger than a flagellar basal body and comparable in complexity. A new model for its function is proposed wherein inchworm-like conformational changes of its electron-dense core are leveraged against a cytoplasmic anchor and transmitted to the surface through layered adhesion proteins.

The hallmark of eukaryotic cells is their segregation of key biological functions into discrete, membrane-bound organelles. Creating accurate models of their ultrastructural complexity has been difficult in part because of the limited resolution of light microscopy and the artifact-prone nature of conventional electron microscopy. Here we explored the potential of the emerging technology electron cryotomography to produce three-dimensional images of an entire eukaryotic cell in a near-native state. Ostreococcus tauri was chosen as the specimen because as a unicellular picoplankton with just one copy of each organelle, it is the smallest known eukaryote and was therefore likely to yield the highest resolution images. Whole cells were imaged at various stages of the cell cycle, yielding 3-D reconstructions of complete chloroplasts, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticula, Golgi bodies, peroxisomes, microtubules, and putative ribosome distributions in-situ. Surprisingly, the nucleus was seen to open long before mitosis, and while one microtubule (or two in some predivisional cells) were consistently present, no mitotic spindle was ever observed, prompting speculation that a single microtubule might be sufficient to segregate multiple chromosomes.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:electron cryotomography; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Ostreococcus tauri
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Biology
Major Option:Biology
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Jensen, Grant J.
Thesis Committee:
  • Bjorkman, Pamela J. (chair)
  • Rees, Douglas C.
  • Jensen, Grant J.
  • Leadbetter, Jared R.
  • Fraser, Scott E.
Defense Date:2 May 2007
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-05142007-131453
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05142007-131453
DOI:10.7907/HK2B-CT58
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Henderson, Gregory Philip0000-0002-6035-0817
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:1802
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:16 May 2007
Last Modified:22 Feb 2020 00:52

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