Factors Influencing Filament Length of Methanospirillum hungatii

SUMMARY: Cultivation of Methanospirillum hungatii GP1 at 35°C in low PO4 3- (3·0 mm) medium resulted in growth as motile curved rods (6 to 8 × 0·5 μm). However, predominantly long filaments averaging 70 to 300 μm were observed in the presence of high concentrations of PO4 3- (43·7 mm) or Na+ (225 mm) or after incubation at 25°C in low PO4 3- medium. These conditions also resulted in decreased growth rates. Tests with cell-free extracts of long and short form filaments indicated that long filament formation is probably related to a deficiency in heat-labile factor(s) required for cell separation.

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