Morphology and ultrastructure of helical and nonhelical strains of Spiroplasma citri.

Cells of the nonhelical strain of Spiroplasma citri underwent changes of morphology comparable to those which occurred in the normal helical strain. Cells of the nonhelical strain had the same ultrastructural features as helical cells and released long flexible fibrils similar to those seen in other spiroplasmas. Nonhelical organisms showed an increased tendency to aggregate, forming cell clusters of an unusual annular form. The cytoplasmic membrane of the nonhelical strain lacked a single protein present in all helical strains. Loss of helicity associated with the senescence of spiroplasma cells was not accompanied by the disappearance of this protein. Differences in colony morphology were shown to be a consequence of motility, and a technique was developed which facilitated the identification of nonmotile organisms.