RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Goodell, E. W. A1 Schwarz, U.YR 1975 T1 Sphere-Rod Morphogenesis of Escherichia Coli JF Microbiology, VO 86 IS 2 SP 201 OP 209 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-86-2-201 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2080, AB SUMMARY: The morphogenetic capacity of E. coli was studied by converting the rod-shaped cells into spheres and then determining whether these spheres could revert to rods. The morphogenesis of cells was followed by immobilizing them in a viscous Methocel-containing medium. Two different types of spheres were prepared: cells which retained a mechanically intact sacculus, and osmotically sensitive sphaeroplasts lacking a sacculus. The sphaeroplasts were not able to revert to rods although they were able to synthesize a new sacculus. In contrast, spheres which had retained an intact sacculus were able to reshape themselves into rods. They were also able to form new ends at (or near) the sites of the ends on the original rods., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-86-2-201