Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

A Toolkit to Enable Hydrocarbon Conversion in Aqueous Environments
Published on: October 2, 2012
Characterization of intracytoplasmic hydrocarbon inclusions from the hydrocarbon-oxidizing Acinetobacter species
Abstract:
The ultrastructure of Acinetobacter sp. strain HO1-N grown on hydrocarbon and nonhydrocarbon substrates was compared using thin sections and freeze-etching. Hydrocarbon-grown cells were characterized by the presence of intracytoplasmic membrane-bound hexadecane inclusions. This membrane did not exhibit a typical unit membrane structure but appeared as a monolayer. The freeze-etch technique revealed the internal structure of the hexadecane inclusions and provided evidence for the presence of a smooth-surfaced limiting membrane. Freeze-etching also revealed intracytoplasmic membranes in the hexadecane-grown cells. These ultrastructural modifications were not present in nonhydrocarbon-grown cells. The hexadecane inclusions were isolated from Acinetobacter. Negative-staining of the inclusions revealed electron-transparent vesicles approximating the size of the inclusions seen in whole cells. Freeze-etching of the purified inclusions revealed membrane-bound vesicles. The purified inclusions exhibited a relatively high value of lipid phosphorus to protein. The lipid composition and the electrophoretic banding pattern of the inclusions on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels were determined and compared with other membrane fractions (outer membrane and cytoplasmic membrane) previously isolated from this organism.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Cell Inclusions
Lipid Catabolism
Carbon-dioxide Fixation
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria
Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons

