Myelin-like configurations in ochromonas malhamensis

Abstract

The nuclear region of Ochromonas malhamensis is an active site for lipid organization and production of myelin-like bodies. These bodies resemble myelin forms reported in other microorganisms and mammalian tissue. Such lipid bodies may have important implications for understanding membrane biogenesis and mechanisms whereby cells synthesize complex lipid systems. We have therefore examined naturally occurring myelinics in Ochromonas and produced synthetic myelinics in our laboratory to obtain information about the structure and composition of these lipid bodies. We have found that myelin bodies in Ochromonas malhamensis resemble myelinics produced by dispersion of egg lecithin in water. Fixation with glutaraldehyde prior to osmium tetroxide treatment protects both natural myelinics in Ochromonas malhamensis and synthetic egg lecithin myelinics; both are degraded when fixed with osmium tetroxide alone.